Breeders interview Nobuhiro Inoue and Takaharu Inoue/Beppu Fish Farm (Ehime)

With a strong focus on Ginrin Taisho Sanshoku, the farm is also dedicated to producing impressive large-sized koi for the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show.〈Part2〉

The number of visiting dealers and hobbyists differs significantly between the well-known production areas, such as Niigata, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, as well as other regions.

Beppu Fish Farm Co., Ltd. is a “solitary koi farm” with no other breeders nearby. The farm is committed to producing high-quality koi to attract customers. In recent years, with the support of major distributors, it has seen an increase in top-ranking results at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Koi Show. Represented by Ginrin Taisho Sanshoku, varieties such as Taisho Sanshoku and Hikari Mugimono are receiving high praise, indicating the potential for further success in these highly competitive breeds. I spoke with Nobuhiro (right), Regional Director of the Shikoku District of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, and his younger brother Takaharu (left), who is drawing on his experience at Sakai Fish Farm Co., Ltd. to enhance their production and take it to the next level.

Many big Hikarimuji and Karashi.
Parent koi don’t need to be one meter—Siblings can work too.

—It seems you’ve also been breeding some quite big Mujimono.

Takaharu: We recently received good feedback from the Sakai bloodline on our Karashi and the Silver Fox line of Hikarimuji.

—Do you breed those, every year?

Takaharu: Yes. In the past, we used to focus on breeding Yamabuki, but now we’re using the Silver Fox bloodline.

—The koi (Photo ③) that won the Botan Prize at the 54th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show was bred by Sakai Fish Farm, but it was brought in as a tosai and raised in a mud pond by Beppu Fish Farm, right?

Takaharu: At the show, it was 97 cm, and this year, its sibling reached 101 cm. We recently put it up for the WNC auction.

—You’re also breeding using that line. The name Silver Fox comes up often, but the award-winning koi come in various types, don’t they?

Takaharu: Yes. Gold, white, black…

③/The 54th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show Botan Champion
(Breeder / Sakai Fish Farm)
Initial Hikari Muji Set
(Silver Fox Lineage)