The Presence of Nishikigoi that Brings Family Harmony

Hardships in Keeping Them, Moving from Quantity to Quality

― Is Nishikigoi an indispensable part of this garden filled with special meaning?

Ogawara：Yes. Just looking at garden trees, while they change with the seasons, they don’t move, do they? The autumn foliage at the change of seasons, the snow cover in winter, the new buds in spring… that’s beautiful too, but you can’t see the moment it happens. In the end, it’s the moving “water” and “pond.” A constant, moving “Nagomi,” you could say. When I sit in front of the pond, I forget about work, clear my mind, and can enjoy an elegant time just watching the koi for about an hour.

― So, Nishikigoi also facilitate family bonding. But managing such a large garden must be quite challenging.

Ogawara：I sometimes ask my children to help with cleaning the garden. They say, “If you can’t do it alone after you built it yourself, you shouldn’t have made such a big pond.” But I tell them that’s not right. As you get older, that “Nagomi” is important. I tell them that “House” and “Garden” are what make a “Family” It’s often said that a good family life is made possible by having a garden and a pond. After we clean the garden together, we have barbecues there and enjoy a relaxing drink. That’s part of a happy family life.

― So, Nishikigoi also facilitate family bonding. But managing such a large garden must be quite challenging.

Ogawara：In November, the leaves turn red, and the nighttime illumination is beautiful, but the fallen leaves are unbelievable. Not only in the pond but also the leaves that fall on the garden need to be cleaned up right away, or they stick to the moss under the snow, making spring very difficult. I envy people who keep their koi in mud ponds or indoor pools, but I value the scenery and the “Nagomi,” so I make sure the pond matches the garden.

― Today, you are adding large koi from Aqua Resort Company in Niigata City. You have many magnificent koi of various types swimming. Did you start with large koi from the beginning?

Ogawara：At first, I put in a lot of small koi, like test fish, but they all got sleeping sickness and almost all died. I struggled a lot with gill disease, hole disease, buying new ones only for them to die. I didn’t know the diseases or how to treat them, asking myself why they were dying, and how often I needed to clean the filter. There are no koi dealers nearby, so I asked nearby enthusiasts. After about 10 years, things have finally settled down. I now carefully consider the timing for feeding in early spring. Since larger koi are hardier, I basically avoid keeping koi under 50 cm now.

― After 10 years of keeping koi, what are your goals for the next decade?

Ogawara：“Quality over quantity,” I guess. Like everyone, my eye has become more discerning, and I’m getting more selective. I want to collect koi that I never tire of looking at, good koi that suit my taste. I don’t enter shows, so I just enjoy them in my own pond, watching them swim leisurely like this. Even with newly added koi like today, they quickly get along with the others. Nishikigoi are truly wonderful. The more you understand, the more fascinating they become.

― It sounds like your koi garden project will continue for a long time. Thank you very much for your time today.