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| Koi History |
Central Asia is the original home of the carp. They spread eastward to China and Japan, and westward into Europe by way of Greece and Rome. In China, about 500 BC, Toshuko, alias Hanrei, wrote a book on fish culture in which he discussed the breeding and culture of carp. This book is said to be the oldest of its kind in the world.
History generally maintains that in approximately 1227 AD, carp breeding was done in Austria and later spread to Germany and France in about 1358 AD and to Denmark in about 1600 AD. Carp were brought from France to America in 1831 and more specifically, to California in 1872. During 1876-87, a large number of carp were brought to America from Germany.
We are unable to positively ascertain when carp were first introduced into Japan, but a pond was built in Kawachi Province in October of the 62nd year of the reign of Emperor Suijin (31 BC). And, when Emperor Keiko visited Mino Province in February of the 4th year of his reign (74 AD) he amused himself by releasing carp into a pond situated at Kukui-No-Miya (now Kani Subprefecture, Gifu Prefecture). More and more people came to appreciate the beauty of the gold fish from the 2nd year Buni (1501 AD) and on. As time passed, people appreciated not only their colors but also their graceful body confirmations and elegant swimming style. Carp whose bodies were speckled, such as red or light-blue, were preferred and were sold to decorate garden ponds.
Formerly, the pond in a Japanese garden was designed to imitate nature. The edges of most ponds were gourd-shaped as in the Chinese character "shin" (mind) and were called "shinki-no-ike" (gourd-shaped pond).
Ancient ponds were built for the sole purpose of delighting the eye and, because modern dwellings are smaller, a Koi pond is often planned for the garden, making family life more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, no accurate records are available relative to the origin of carp breeding. However, it is said that, in the days of Tammei (1781-88), a considerable number of carp were being bred. However, the long drought spell throughout the country during this period dried up nearly all reservoir ponds for irrigation. To prevent their extinction, some carp were transferred to Senryu Pon in Shiotani, Higashiya Village (now Ojiya City).
These carp were ordinary black carp which accidentally changed color, becoming red, light yellow or tortoise shell tinted. It is believed that these variegated carp were the progenitors of the present fancy carp, or Koi.
In the Bunka (1808-18) and Bunsei (1919-29) eras, cross-breading between red and white carp was successfully attempted, creating "Kohaku," a white carp with red spots on the belly, and "Hooaka," white carp with red spots on the operculum. Later, in the Tempo era (1830-43), carp were produced, some with partially red head-fronts ("Sukin-Kaburi"), some whose lips were red ("Kuchi-beni"), and others whose backs were dotted with red (Sarasa").
In the early part of the Meiji era (1874-75), superb carp belonging to the varieties of "Sarasa," Asagi" (light blue), and Ki-Utsuri" (yellow-tinted) were created, some ranging in price up to an expensive 50 yen!
With the coming of air transportation after World War II, Japanese and European breeders were able to ship their fancy Koi varieties to the United States, Hawaii, Canada and Brazil. No longer is the Niigata region of Japan the only place where fancy carp are bred. Koi are available throughout the world, and although new, Koi-keeping has become a widespread hobby.
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