Koi Glossary
A

Aigoromo 藍衣
Aigoromo is a white koi with red markings on which red-fringed indigo blue scales are seen. The orderly reticular pattern created by the blue scales is desired by many koi lovers.
Read More
Read More

Atozumi (ato sumi) アト墨
Underlying bluish sumi that gradually appears on surface through the growth. Ato sumi often becomes tsuya sumi or hon sumi, another name for soko sumi
Read More
Read More

Azukari 預り
Having the dealer raise your koi after purchase. Not all dealers do so and prices vary
Read More
Read More
B

Beni Kikokuryu 紅輝黒竜
Kikokuryu with hi patches, produced from crossing a female Kikusui with a male Kikokuryu. Popular variety recently.
Read More
Read More

Beni Kumonryu 紅九紋竜
Kumonryu with red patterns produced by mating Kumonryu with Doitsu Kohaku
Read More
Read More

Budogoromo 葡萄衣
Nishikigoi with koromo scaled pattern on hi plates. Its reddish brown color and the way how koromo patterns arranged look like a bunch of grapes. Budo means grape
Read More
Read More
C
D

Doitsugoi ドイツ鯉
Koi that are not fully scaled and usually with a row of scales along each lateral line and the dorsal fin. They were introduced to Japan from Germany as eatable carp
Read More
Read More
F

Fukurin 覆輪
The fan-shaped edges of the scales. Originally fukurin is the term to describe a decoration of gilt edges for saddles and sheaths
Read More
Read More
G

Ginrin Showa
Showa Sanshoku with silvery scales are called Ginrin Showa. Girin can come with every varieties.
Read More
Read More

Goshiki 五色
Goshiki has fundamentally the same requirements for Hi patter as Kohaku. There are some types of Goshiki, such as the one whose entire body is covered with black reticular patterns and the one which has no black scales within the
Read More
Read More
H

Hikariutsuri
Showa and Utsurimono with Hikarimono (metallic) body are called Hikariutsuri (Hikari Utsuri).
Read More
Read More
I

Ikeage 池揚げ
The harvest. Harvesting of Nishikigoi from a mud pond which is one of the most exciting events of the year
Read More
Read More
K

Kagezumi (Kage Sumi) 影墨
Kage sumi is an area of sumi that has started to emerge, but has not yet completely come to the surface of the skin, and is thus seen as a blue shadow. Kage means shadow
Read More
Read More

Karashigoi からし鯉
Mustard single-colored Nishikigoi produced by mating Kigoi with Chagoi. Karashi means mustard
Read More
Read More

Katatsuki 型付き
Nishikigoi that were born with potential pattern. Mainly used while selecting baby fries/koi's
Read More
Read More

Kawarimono 変わりもの
A unique Nishikigoi. Nishikigoi that is difficult to be categorized into a specific variety at koi show regarded as Kawarimono
Read More
Read More

Kikokuryu 輝黒竜
Metallic Kumonryu, originally produced by mating Kumonryu with Doitsu Platinum Ogon.
Read More
Read More

Kinginrin 金銀鱗
The scales sparkle in gold or silver. Literary kin means gold, and gin means silver. Kinginrin also indicates the variety with capital letter. It has about the same meaning of "ginrin"
Read More
Read More

Koinobori 鯉幟
Carp streamer. Traditionally, Japanese families with boys fly Koinobori outdoors to celebrate Children Day (5th of May) because the carp is a symbol of a successful career
Read More
Read More

Kokesuki コケすき
This term describes the scale coloring appears thinner than the surrounding scales and looks transparent. The color appears scattered and lacks uniformity
Read More
Read More

Kokugyo 国魚
Literally means national fish. The name for the prize of honor at All Japan Koi Show and All Japan Young Koi Show
Read More
Read More

Kujyaku 孔雀
Kujyaku Ogon has a metallic body on which Kohaku-like Hi patterns and black Matsuba (pine needles) patterns, like a peacock's tail feathers, are laid. Kujyaku means peacock, Ogon means gold.
Read More
Read More

Kumonryu 九紋竜
Kumonryu is a black Doitsugoi with white marking patterns. Its pattern changes according to the temparature and water quality.
Read More
Read More

Kutsubera 靴べら
The term describes the shape of hi on the head. The pattern consists of a round area of hi on the mouth and a trapezoid of hi on the forehead. Literally means shoehorn
Read More
Read More
M

Matsubamon 松葉紋
Pinecone-like scale pattern; the center of the scales are colored and arranged properly on the body
Read More
Read More

Matsukawabake 松川化け
The black and white Nishikigoi that have changing patterns over time. Fully scaled Kumonryu
Read More
Read More

Menkaburi 面被り
Hi extend to the eyes widely covering the head, especially on Kohaku and Taisho Sanshoku. Another name for zukinkaburi
Read More
Read More

Menware 面割れ
The sumi patterns appear only in Showa and Utsurimono that divides the head. An ideal menware is regarded lightning-stripe across the head
Read More
Read More
N

Niban Hi 二番緋
Scales of pale red hi. Secondary hi appears later in a Nishikigoi development. It is often seen in the edge of hi pattern and takes away the sharpness of the contrast between hi and shiroji. Nishikigoi with niban hi rarely
Read More
Read More
O

Ochibashigure 落ち葉しぐれ
Nishikigoi that have aonezu color skin with brownish patches resembling fallen leaves
Read More
Read More

Oiboshi 追い星
White bumps, that appear on the cheeks and pectoral fins of male Nishikigoi during mating season. This is a sexual characteristic that appeals to female Nishikigoi
Read More
Read More
P
S

Showa Sanshoku 昭和三色
Showa Sanshoku has red and white markings on black skin. Its dynamic marking pattern is very attractive. Like Taisho, Showa came from the name of the era (1926-1989) when it was produced and fixed. It is commonly called Showa.
Read More
Read More

Shunrai 春雷
It literally means 'thunder in spring,' which is produced by mating Goshiki with Sumigoromo
Read More
Read More

Suminagashi 墨流し
Black scaled Nishikigoi produced by mating Nishikigoi of Asagi Magoi line with classic Goshiki
Read More
Read More
T

Taisho Sanshoku(Sanke) 大正三色
Taisho Sanshoku has red and black markings on white skin. Taisho is the name of the era (1912-1926) when it was produced and fixed as one of the varieties of Nishikigoi. Sanshoku means tri-color. It is commonly called "Sanke" and liked
Read More
Read More

Tancho Kohaku
White koi with a single Hi patch on the head is called Tancho Kohaku. Probably the red and white color combination makes many foreigners think of the rising-sun flag. It is particularly popular overseas.
Read More
Read More

Tategoi 立て鯉
A Nishikigoi that is unfinished but has a good potential to become excellent koi after several years of good care. "tateru" is a verb, to raise koi with good potential
Read More
Read More

Tobi Hi 飛び緋
Hi spots that are usually about one scale in size and do not form a hi plate. The dots are often considered as unnecessary spots
Read More
Read More

Tsubozumi (Tsubo Sumi) ツボ墨
Sumi appears on shiroji very close to hi patterns. It looks like sumi fits in the white spot of hi patches. Basically the term is used for Taisho Sanshoku
Read More
Read More
U

Utsurimono
Koi with red markings on black skin are called Hi Utsuri. According to the colors of the markings, there are Shiro Utsuri and Ki Utsuri as well.
Read More
Read More
W
Y
Z

Zukinkaburi 頭巾かぶり
The head pattern fully covered with color looks like wearing a hood. Zukin means hood. Another name for menkaburi
Read More
Read More