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There are certain basic requirements which make some Koi better and can, if explained, assist the new hobbyist to answer a most often popped question, "why is that Koi more expensive than that one and what makes it better?"Unfortunately, the explanations at times sound a little bit like Gilly Goulden on wine tasting and a new vocabulary has crept in with strange words like "volume" and "skin quality" or "lustre" and "imposingness". "Volume" has crept in over recent years in place of "good shape" to imply the more rounded, stronger looking appeal, usually of female Koi, but in truth has been abused and invariably will indicate fat Koi. A good shaped Koi is a natural shaped Koi. It does not have a fat belly, it has a powerful and muscular back with a shape ideally being a slowly reducing curve on both sides to a strong tail area.

Taste, of course, will come into this - some people like a broader Koi than others. What does make a good Koi rather than a bad Koi is that the shape should be symmetrical on each side - a bulge on one side or a bend on one side, or a twist in the head is unnatural and therefore by its very definition will detract from the natural beauty of the Koi.A good shaped Koi will stand out like any other animal in that it will move better, it will look sleeker, it will look stronger and, above all, even if it is large, it will retain a young look and personality as opposed to a fat, sometimes lumbering unbalanced overweight fish. A flick through any of the Japanese Koi magazines such as Nichirin or Nishikigoi Monthly and a comparative flick through some British or European Koi magazines will easily highlight the way that the Western preoccupation with "volume" has led to a fatter less pleasing shape than most Japanese Koi.

Colour is probably the first thing which attracts most people to Koi over other cold water fish in that more colours are available. In fact, the very name Nishikigoi implies and translates as a highly coloured carp. One rather unusual feature is that red colours have adopted the Japanese hi and black colours the Japanese sumi, whereas white seems to have adopted the confusing term of skin quality, much to the puzzlement of many beginners who see no skin but scales over the whole Koi.It matters little whether the Western words or the Japanese are used; what does matter is that colour should be as deep and as strong and as even as possible. The white on most multicoloured Koi is the canvas upon which nature will paint. It therefore follows that the base should be as perfect as possible, free of blemishes, free of discolouring and as white as possible.

The red or hi is the most talked about colour with the mistaken belief propagated by many that the best red is the most blood red or most close to scarlet. This, however, is not true. The best red is a red which appears deeply ingrained to the body of the Koi, often referred to as "thick". It should be, for preference, the same colour and intensity from nose to tail not, if possible, gradually fading towards the tail area. The rest of the requirements are logical. The areas of red should be defined, not necessarily symmetrical and not necessarily balanced on one side of the Koi to the other or front to back but showing a clean line around the rear of each patch of red colour.

Sumi, or black, provides us with a good example of the imprecise translation from Japanese.
The word "sumi" is actually Japanese for calligrapher's ink and was therefore adopted by the Japanese as a descriptive word for the black patterning. Hence, a good example of the difficulties of translation - a Japanese non Koi-Keeper could be forgiven for translating a Shiro Utsuri as a white fish covered in printers ink! Sumi, or black, is probably the subject which will occupy Koi enthusiasts in debate for many years to come because much sumi is not strictly black, but a rich dark blue/black.

Returning to the title of this article, Koi Appreciation, we must ask how does one learn more about it? The answer is most certainly not from books and lectures but from seeing Koi, more Koi and even more Koi. You must look at Koi, you must study Koi, you must understand Koi with the heart, not with the head. You should choose good dealers who have a reputation for bringing in different Koi and bringing in Koi of all sizes and prices but which have one thing in common - they are bought for their beauty. Regular visits to such dealers, discussions with fellow hobbyists and dealers, comparing Koi which you see with Koi in photographs, Koi in your own pond, Koi in your friends ponds, will all add to the depth of understanding of Koi.

Whichever Section, or Club, or Society you are a part of, always take advantage of visiting other hobbyists ponds.Koi appreciation requires a breadth of knowledge and understanding. Don't be narrow, don't confine it to your own Koi or one dealer's Koi. Get out and see as many Koi as you can. Each time you look at Koi you will learn something new.

The finest place of all in England to appreciate Koi is at a Koi show. It must be a well run Koi show, providing good water quality to enable Koi to be appreciated in the best possible condition. In my opinion this requires the show to take place in cooler temperatures after the benefit of a good feeding season, i.e. an Autumn Koi show.It goes without saying that the only real way to appreciate Koi at that time of year is at the so-called "Japanese style" show. This is where Koi of a similar variety and size, regardless of owner, are shown in the same vat.It is, of course, of paramount importance that Koi-Keepers who take part in such shows observe strict non-feeding periods prior to the show in order that their Koi can not only be seen in peak condition, but will enable the water in which they are kept to remain in similar peak condition for the benefit of other Koi Keepers' prize possessions.I have recently been privileged to attend two shows in Japan, one the breeders' show in Ojiya and the second, one of the premier hobbyists' shows in Japan held by the second largest Society, Rinyukai, which was held in Tokyo.

Koi appreciation is generally a subject which makes the mistake of concentrating on individual Koi. This, of course, is of prime importance at shows but it should not be forgotten that the majority of people keep Koi within their own pond and "appreciate" their Koi in the company of other Koi. The achievement of producing optimum water conditions, which results in your Koi demonstrating good shape, colour and condition cannot fail to be the finest form of Koi appreciation.Regardless of what the text books may say, who of you can fail to appreciate the inimitable friendly Chagoi feeding by hand in a well kept and sensibly stocked pond. That, for me, is a good an example of Koi appreciation.

The balance of varieties in a hobbyist's pond is a matter of taste but the contrast between the classic deceptively simple colour and pattern of the Kohaku and the bright shining Ogon set off by the almost minimalist pattern of an Utsuri or Bekko brings a challenge to every hobbyists in stocking his pond.Koi are naturally gregarious animals and respond better than ever in the company of other Koi. This, after all, is the epitome of our hobby and is the true way in which our Koi should be appreciated. Variations on this theme appeal to different hobbyists.

For some their height of appreciation will be achieved by a small number of very large Koi swimming sedately and magnificently around their pond. Others will see more beauty and a greater sense of achievement in baby or young Koi. whether they be in a tank or smaller pond and it cannot be denied that one of the finest sights to be seen on any visit to the Koi producing areas of Japan are one year old and two year old Koi swimming in formation. Little is known why young Koi in great quantity swim in such patterns but a beauty all of its own is brought out by these Koi.

Finally, perhaps the most subtle form of Koi appreciation and yet the most misunderstood area is that of Tategoi. Tategoi is a Koi which will improve. Invariably, it also means that it will, next year, be worth more than this year. Increasing numbers of Koi-Keepers have an all-consuming interest into selecting and purchasing Koi which they believe will improve. To own a Koi with pale orange hi which in 12 months turns into a red hi or to select a Sanke with little sumi, other than some small greyish blemishes under the skin which, in later years, produce deep black stable sumi markings is an achievement. It is a love of Koi which requires a special foresight and experience to enjoy.It is, I believe, the ultimate form of Koi appreciation and the one from which we can learn the very most about Koi, if only the fact that not all that undetected sumi will develop and that slim small fish may grow up to be a slim large fish, but it is in these failures and disappointments that ones learning and enjoyment grows. If it were that easy to buy and grow the perfect Sanke there would be no sense of achievement. However, the subject of Tategoi is capable of filling many pages and is maybe one for the future. I hope that this article may persuade a few people to take a fresh look at Koi appreciation and Koi generally.