Koi Glossary

A
Agaru 揚がる

Agaru 揚がる

Improvements resulting from being harvested from mud pond To enhance hi color
Ago Hi あご緋

Ago Hi あご緋

Scarlet coloring on the jaw or gill areas
Ago Sumi あご墨

Ago Sumi あご墨

Black coloring on the jaw or gill areas
Ai 藍

Ai 藍

Indigo. Dark Blue
Aigoromo 藍衣

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.
Aka Bekko 赤べっ甲

Aka Bekko 赤べっ甲

A red skinned Bekko 
Aka Matsuba 赤松葉

Aka Matsuba 赤松葉

A Nishikigoi with a pine corn pattern on the red scales 
Akame 赤目

Akame 赤目

A red eyed Nishikigoi
Aonezu 青ねず

Aonezu 青ねず

Blue grayish color
Asagi 浅黄

Asagi 浅黄

Asagi's entire back is covered with ai-iro (indigo blue), gunjo-iro (deep blue) and sora-iro (sky blue) scales. Each scale is fringed with white, which creates a reticular pattern. Its head is spotless and light blue-colored. Hi appears on the cheeks,
Atozumi (ato sumi) アト墨

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
Atsui 厚い

Atsui 厚い

Atsui means deep and refers to the apparent layering of red layers of pigment. A big compliment
Azukari 預り

Azukari 預り

Having the dealer raise your koi after purchase. Not all dealers do so and prices vary
B
Bekko

Bekko

Koi with black markings on white skin are called Shiro Bekko. According to the colors of the skin, there are Aka Bekko and Ki Bekko.
Beni Kikokuryu 紅輝黒竜

Beni Kikokuryu 紅輝黒竜

Kikokuryu with hi patches, produced from crossing a female Kikusui with a male Kikokuryu. Popular variety recently.
Beni Kumonryu 紅九紋竜

Beni Kumonryu 紅九紋竜

Kumonryu with red patterns produced by mating Kumonryu with Doitsu Kohaku
Benigoi 紅鯉

Benigoi 紅鯉

Red Nishikigoi. Benigoi has deeper red than Higoi
Bouzu 坊主

Bouzu 坊主

Literary means bold head. It indicates Nishikigoi has no patches on the head area
Budogoromo 葡萄衣

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
C
Chagoi

Chagoi

This variety is close to the origin of Nishikigoi. Though its body color is brown, its hues vary from dark chocolate brown to light greenish brown.
D
Doitsugoi ドイツ鯉

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
F
Fukurin 覆輪

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
G
Gin Shiro

Gin Shiro

Shiro Utsuri with metallic sheen skin.
Ginrin Showa

Ginrin Showa

Showa Sanshoku with silvery scales are called Ginrin Showa. Girin can come with  every varieties.
Gosanke 御三家

Gosanke 御三家

The three major Japanese Nishikigoi varieties, Kohaku, Sanke and Showa
Goshiki 五色

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
H
Hachi Hi ハチ緋

Hachi Hi ハチ緋

Hi pattern on Nishikigoi's head. The same definition as tohi
Hachi ハチ

Hachi ハチ

A head of Nishikigoi
Hachizumi (Hachi Sumi) ハチ墨

Hachizumi (Hachi Sumi) ハチ墨

Sumi pattern on Nishikigoi's head
Hageshiro 禿白

Hageshiro 禿白

Hageshiro are Karasugoi with a white head
Hajiro 羽白

Hajiro 羽白

Black scaled Nishikigoi with white tipped pectoral fins and a white belly
Hanatsuki 鼻ツキ

Hanatsuki 鼻ツキ

Head hi extends to close to the area of mouth. Another name for tsukitsuke
Hara Hi 腹緋

Hara Hi 腹緋

Hi along the lateral line on the belly
Hariwake Ogon 張分黄金

Hariwake Ogon 張分黄金

Metallic Nishikigoi that have golden patches on Platinum-like skin
Heiseinishiki 平成錦

Heiseinishiki 平成錦

Doitsu Sanke with metallic skin
Hi Utsuri 緋写り

Hi Utsuri 緋写り

Black koi with hi patterns. Utsurimono with red skin
Hi 緋

Hi 緋

A red marking on Nishikigoi's body
Higoi 緋鯉

Higoi 緋鯉

Red Nishikigoi
Hikarimoyo 光り模様

Hikarimoyo 光り模様

Metallic Nishikigoi with shiny patterns
Hikarimuji 光り無地

Hikarimuji 光り無地

Metallic single-colored Nishikigoi
Hikariutsuri

Hikariutsuri

Showa and Utsurimono with Hikarimono (metallic) body are called Hikariutsuri (Hikari Utsuri).
Hirenaga 鰭長

Hirenaga 鰭長

Hirenaga 鰭長 Hire鰭 means dorsal fins, naga長 means long. Hirenaga Nishikigoi refers to Nishikigoi with long fins.   Hirenaga Nishikigoi was produced by Saitama Fisheries Research Institute. In 1977, the reigning Emperor (the Crown Prince at that time) visited there
Hohoaka 頬赤

Hohoaka 頬赤

Hi spot on the gill cover. Hoho means cheek
Honzumi (Hon Sumi) 本墨

Honzumi (Hon Sumi) 本墨

It means "genuine sumi". Referring to thick glossy sumi
I
Ikeage 池揚げ

Ikeage 池揚げ

The harvest. Harvesting of Nishikigoi from a mud pond which is one of the most exciting events of the year
Ippon Hi 本緋

Ippon Hi 本緋

A large continuous hi plate on the back of Nishikigoi
J
Jami じゃみ

Jami じゃみ

Black freckles on Nishikigoi's body. Also, they are called "jari"
K
Kage Showa 影昭和

Kage Showa 影昭和

Showa that have koromo scaled sumi. Belongs to Kawarimono
Kagezumi (Kage Sumi) 影墨

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
Kamisorigiwa (Kamisori Kiwa) カミソリギワ

Kamisorigiwa (Kamisori Kiwa) カミソリギワ

Sharp edges of patterns like a razor cutting
Karashigoi からし鯉

Karashigoi からし鯉

Mustard single-colored Nishikigoi produced by mating Kigoi with Chagoi. Karashi means mustard
Karasugoi 烏鯉

Karasugoi 烏鯉

Black Nishikigoi. "Karasu" means crow
Kasanezumi (Kasane Sumi) カサネ墨

Kasanezumi (Kasane Sumi) カサネ墨

Sumi that appears on hi plate. Antonym of tsubo sumi
Katagara 片柄

Katagara 片柄

One-sided patterns on the half of the body, another name for katamoyo
Katatsuki 型付き

Katatsuki 型付き

Nishikigoi that were born with potential pattern. Mainly used while selecting baby fries/koi's
Katazumi (Kata Sumi) 肩墨

Katazumi (Kata Sumi) 肩墨

Sumi on Nishikigoi's shoulder
Kawarimono 変わりもの

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
Kego 毛子

Kego 毛子

Kego 毛子   Newborn Nishikigoi. Baby fry just after hatching. ** 子 (ko) means child. Black fry are called Kuroko 黒子. Only kuroko will be selected in first culling of Showa and Uturimono.   Find Out More About Koi Glossary
KHV

KHV

Koi Herpes Virus
Ki Matsuba 黄松葉

Ki Matsuba 黄松葉

Matsuba koi with yellow skin
Ki Utsuri 黄写り

Ki Utsuri 黄写り

Black Nishikigoi with yellow patterns. Utsurimono with yellow skin
Kigoi 黄鯉

Kigoi 黄鯉

Yellow single-colored Nishikigoi
Kikokuryu 輝黒竜

Kikokuryu 輝黒竜

Metallic Kumonryu, originally produced by mating Kumonryu with Doitsu Platinum Ogon.
Kikusui 菊翠

Kikusui 菊翠

Doitsu Platinum Kohaku
Kin Kikokuryu

Kin Kikokuryu

Kikokuryu that have golden patterns instead of black patterns.
Kin Showa

Kin Showa

Kin Showa was produced by crossing Showa Sanshoku and Ogon. Those with a golden body are called Kin Showa, and those with a platinum sheen are called Gin Showa.
Kinginrin 金銀鱗

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"
Kiwa キワ

Kiwa キワ

The side and back edges of the scales. The front edges of the scales are called "sashi"
Kohaku 紅白

Kohaku 紅白

Kohaku is a white koi with red markings. This variety was the first one to be fixed. Because of the Japanese flag, red and white are the colors most commonly used in many celebrations in Japan. Thus, the Kohaku is
Koinobori 鯉幟

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
Kokenami コケ並み

Kokenami コケ並み

The way how scales are arranged
Kokesuki コケすき

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
Kokugyo 国魚

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
Kuchibeni 口紅

Kuchibeni 口紅

Hi spot on Nishikigoi's lips
Kujyaku 孔雀

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.
Kumonryu 九紋竜

Kumonryu 九紋竜

Kumonryu is a black Doitsugoi with white marking patterns. Its pattern changes according to the temparature and water quality.
Kuragake 鞍がけ

Kuragake 鞍がけ

A pattern vertically laid on Nishikigoi that shaped like a saddle
Kuroji 黒地

Kuroji 黒地

Black background
Kuroko 黒子

Kuroko 黒子

Black fry. Only kuroko will be selected in culling Kumonryu, Utsurimono and Showa
Kutsubera 靴べら

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
M
Madoaki 窓開き

Madoaki 窓開き

Literally means an opened window. The empty space in patches
Maki 巻き

Maki 巻き

Patterns extend down over lateral lines on the belly
Maruten 丸天

Maruten 丸天

Round hi pattern appears on the forehead
Matsubamon 松葉紋

Matsubamon 松葉紋

Pinecone-like scale pattern; the center of the scales are colored and arranged properly on the body
Matsukawabake 松川化け

Matsukawabake 松川化け

The black and white Nishikigoi that have changing patterns over time. Fully scaled Kumonryu
Menkaburi 面被り

Menkaburi 面被り

Hi extend to the eyes widely covering the head, especially on Kohaku and Taisho Sanshoku. Another name for zukinkaburi
Menware 面割れ

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
Motoaka 元赤

Motoaka 元赤

The base of pectoral fins that are colored red
Motoguro 元黒

Motoguro 元黒

The base of pectoral fins which are colored black
muji-無地

muji-無地

Muji 無地   Muji literally means "no pattern". As Nishikigoi terms, Muji stands for single-colored Nishikigoi. Black (Karasugoi), Red (Higoi), Gray (Soragoi), Mustard Yellow (Karashigoi), Gold (Yamabuki Ogon), Yellow (Kigoi), Brown (Chagoi) ... there are several single-colored Nishikigoi. It is
Mukashi Ogon 昔黄金

Mukashi Ogon 昔黄金

Classic Ogon with brownish yellow skin. Literally mukashi means past
Mukeru むける

Mukeru むける

Colored background peal off and showing color then make patterns
N
Nezu Ogon ねず黄金

Nezu Ogon ねず黄金

Blue grayish colored Ogon
Niban Hi 二番緋

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
Noike 野池

Noike 野池

Mud pond. Field pond
O
Ochibashigure 落ち葉しぐれ

Ochibashigure 落ち葉しぐれ

Nishikigoi that have aonezu color skin with brownish patches resembling fallen leaves
Odome 尾止め

Odome 尾止め

Means tail ending, refers to the ending of the color pattern at the tail. It is said that a good odome leaves a beautiful shiroji on the base of the tail
Oiboshi 追い星

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
Omoyo 大模様

Omoyo 大模様

A large pattern
Oyagoi 親鯉

Oyagoi 親鯉

A Nishikigoi's parents
Ozutsu 尾筒

Ozutsu 尾筒

The part of a Nishikigoi's body that starts at the front of its dorsal fin and ends at the beginning of its tail. It is one of the most important parts of the body structure
P
Platinum Kohaku プラチナ紅白

Platinum Kohaku プラチナ紅白

Kohaku with sheen skin, another name for Sakura Ogon
Platinum Ogon プラチナ黄金

Platinum Ogon プラチナ黄金

Platinum Ogon's body is white with a platinum sheen.
S
Sandan 三段

Sandan 三段

Three stepped pattern
Sashi サシ

Sashi サシ

The term refers to the front edge of hi or sumi patches. The bases of the red scales in front underlying shiroji create the pinkish edge. The bases of the black scales in front underlying shiroji create the bluish or
Segoke 背ゴケ

Segoke 背ゴケ

Enlarged scales appear along Doitsugoi's dorsal fin
Senbetsu 選別

Senbetsu 選別

Culling. Selection
Shiage 仕上げ

Shiage 仕上げ

Keeping koi to enhance its best condition in appreciation
Shiro Bekko 白べっ甲

Shiro Bekko 白べっ甲

Bekko with white skin
Shiro Utsuri 白写り

Shiro Utsuri 白写り

Black Nishikigoi with white patches
Shiroji 白地

Shiroji 白地

White background
Shitsu 質

Shitsu 質

Quality. Quality and body structure are the most important factor for Nishikigoi in both breeding and appreciating
Showa Sanshoku 昭和三色

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.
Shunrai 春雷

Shunrai 春雷

It literally means 'thunder in spring,' which is produced by mating Goshiki with Sumigoromo
Shusui 秋翠

Shusui 秋翠

Since Shusui was produced by crossing Doitsugoi and Asagi, it has the colors of Asagi and an orderly row of large scales, peculiar to Doitsugoi. The clearer the color of blue is, and the more even the size of the
Sokozumi(soko sumi) 底墨

Sokozumi(soko sumi) 底墨

Another name for ato sumi
Soragoi 空鯉

Soragoi 空鯉

Bluish gray-colored Nishikigoi. Sora means sky
Sumi 墨

Sumi 墨

Black patches
Sumigoromo

Sumigoromo

Sumigoromo is a Koromo with darker colored patches than Bodogoromo
Suminagashi 墨流し

Suminagashi 墨流し

Black scaled Nishikigoi produced by mating Nishikigoi of Asagi Magoi line with classic Goshiki
T
Taikei 体形

Taikei 体形

Body structure. Body shape. It is one of the most important factors of Nishikigoi
Taisho Sanshoku(Sanke) 大正三色

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
Tancho Kohaku

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.
Tancho 丹頂

Tancho 丹頂

A hi pattern named after Tancho crane that has a rounded red spot on its head. Tancho has no other hi patches but on the head
Tategoi 立て鯉

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
Tobi Hi 飛び緋

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
Tohi 頭緋

Tohi 頭緋

Hi pattern on Nishikigoi's head
Tosai 当歳

Tosai 当歳

Baby koi. Nishikigoi that are less than 1 year old
Tsubozumi (Tsubo Sumi) ツボ墨

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
Tsukitsuke つきつけ

Tsukitsuke つきつけ

Head hi extends to close to the area of mouth. Another name for hanatsuki
Tsuya ツヤ

Tsuya ツヤ

Gloss. Luster
U
Urokogiwa (Uroko Kiwa) 鱗ギワ

Urokogiwa (Uroko Kiwa) 鱗ギワ

Flame along with scale edges that shape scalloped edge
Utsurimono

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.
W
Wagoi 和鯉

Wagoi 和鯉

Fully scaled koi that originally inhabit Japan
Wakagoi 若鯉

Wakagoi 若鯉

Young Nishikigoi
Y
Yamabuki Ogon 山吹黄金

Yamabuki Ogon 山吹黄金

Ogon with bright gold color skin. Yamabuki means strong yellow color
Yamatonishiki 大和錦

Yamatonishiki 大和錦

Sanke with sheen skin produced by mating Ogon with Sanke
Yondan 四段

Yondan 四段

Four stepped pattern
Z
Zukinkaburi 頭巾かぶり

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