Appreciation of Koi Part 4:

The charm of “Doctrine” lies in its large scales or bare body

Kawagoi, Kagamigoi and Sokusen­rinretsugoi

A Doitsugoi is a Magoi imported from Germany for the purpose of improving edible carp in Japan. It is regarded as the species whose scales are deliberately removed from the body surface.

The koi which had been cultured in Germany and Czechoslovakia were longer than wild carp, some of which were found to have a few scales attached on the body. It is reported that “Kagamigoi” was already recorded in a literature published in the 16th century.

Some Doitsugoi have almost no scales, which is called “Kawagoi”. This is the very species that Japan imported from Germany early in the 20th century in order to increase the meat part of edible carp.

By crossbreeding Kawagoi with some Japanese native carp, different edible carp and “Shusui”, a hybrid of Asagi, a diversified species of German carp were born.

In the meantime, another type of German origin is called Kagamigoi. This species has its scales arranged over the body starting from the neck to close to the base of the tail fin through both sides of the dorsal fin. Viewers put their large, deep­colored scales on the back first

In addition, there is other type of German origin. The species has large scales along the lateral lines as well as those on the back. It is called “Sokusen­rinretsugoi”. Both Kawagoi and Kagamigoi genetically have almost the same characters. And Sokusen­rinretsugoi is regarded as a species related to the same line of the other twos.

Doitsugoi varieties

The typical variety of Kagamigoi is “Shusui”. Shusui is a hybrid between Kawagoi and “Sanshu Asagi”, which was created more than 100 years ago. Before it established its position, Shusui faced many twists and turns. People would be surprised at their terrible, strange looks.

The introduction of Doitsugoi brought the difference in the shape of scale and the advantage of physique to Japanese koi, but, on the other hand, unfavorable genes were also introduced. It lacks unity in the arrangement of large scales.

Shusui’s Hi marks on the side body make an exotic pattern. People put a nickname on the different patterns, such as “Hi Shusui” or “Hana Shusui”.

Also there are Kawagoi in Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku and Showa Sanshoku, so­called “Gosanke”. They are “Doitsu Kohaku”, “Doitsu Sanke” and “Doitsu Showa”. They are very popular among people.

A number of Bekko and Utsuri­ mono have Doitsugoi, so do Goshiki and Ochibashigure. Chagoi of a uniform color also has its own Doitsugoi. As everyone knows, it displays its charm.

“Kumonryu” is a typical variety having either character of Kawagoi or that of Kagamigoi. There are many cel­ ebrated Kumonryu both in Kawagoi and Kagamigoi.

Kumonryu, if Hi spots are added to it, develops into “Beni Kumonryu”, which is very striking to see. When Beni Kumonryu loses Sumi spots out of its large scales, it changes into “Kosui (Hisui)”. Actually Kosui is very rare to see, but it still keeps its position as a rare variety.

In conclusion, whichever it may be, the lack of scales or the presence of large scales, it is true that Doitsugoi makes a remarkable contribution to the diversity of koi varieties.

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