Japan Live!

	24-01-2010 The day started with the snow clearing and we were informed that it would finally stop mid morning. We took a short drive from Ojiya to Miyatora's new fish house that was completed last Autumn. Inside were several Koi being conditioned for up coming All Japan Koi Show (sorry no photos, water cloudy) We decided the Gin Rin Showa were to good to miss and have stunning lustre and quality, plus a Tategoi Gin Rin Kohaku. We then made the short drive across to Yamasan Koi for some Koi that we have not purchased before but the demand was so great for quality examples of these Koi that we decided to buy some. All Female (as are all the Koi purchased on this trip) and the best quality available. After this it was off to Isa for more Showa. For anyone who has been to Isa's best Koi house they will know how treacherous the steps down are in the dry, try doing it in the snow, lethal! The three Koi in the photo above are all very high quality and have strong developing Sumi. The Beni and the Shiroji is also of a high standard. Three real Tategoi. 23-01-2010 We arrived in Nagaoka at 7am to be greeted by a snow storm! After finally seeing the back of the snow in the UK this made us realise that we didn't really have much snow at all! First stop after watching a car drive into a snow bank! was Uonuma Nishikgoi. Winner of countless shows including the All Japan Koi Show. He recently took the runner up prize at the Niigata Nogyosai with this huge Sanke of 85cm. At Uonuma we were met by Shinji Murata who was to take us on the guided tour of his many Koi house. The first of which had some stunning Kohaku showing off the famous Murata body traits. Murata No1 Kohaku, a Koi of exceptional quality that is very hard to find in Japan. Only a few trophies in the Murata fish house!! After Murata it was across to Seijuro and a real trek through the ever increasing snow, it hadn't stopped since we arrived. Niigata Nogyosai 3rd Prize Kohaku (top left) These Nisai and Sansai are superb examples with tremendous white skin a a lovely soft Beni and come from a monster Kohaku parent of 90cm! 22-01-2010 After the day spent aound Hiroshima (more pics to follow) it was time to get onto the dreaded sleeper train to Niigata. Due to a demanding schedule it has not been possible to post as you can't get an internet conection on a speeding sleeper train!! After the hectic first day we managed to get over to Omosako Koi farm for some of their famous Shiro Utsuri. 21-01-2010 Just a few pics today as we only arrived around 1pm, I will add more details tomorrow.

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