The 50th Tokai Regional Nishikigoi Show

Eiji Yokoi was crowned champion after 3 Years

Secures Milestone Victory with a Nogami Kohaku

On November 30th, the 50th Tokai Regional Nishikigoi Show was held in the parking lot of F-MART Tado Store in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, under clear blue skies.
This show is not limited to residents of the Tokai region; anyone can enter as long as they are handled by a member of the promotion association’s Tokai region branch. Therefore, along with hobbyists from Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie, participants also included those from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and even international hobbyists from countries like the USA, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
After judging, the Grand Champion selected from the 369 entries was the 90-bu Kohaku entered by Mr. Eiji Yokoi (Aichi). This 6-year-old, 88cm koi was bred by Nogami Koi Farm (Niigata). Mr. Yokoi acquired it as a 3-year-old at the “Collection 2022” sales event held by Narita Koi Farm. It was kept in a wild pond the following year and has been reared in Narita’s natural pond since the year before last. This marks Mr. Yokoi’s first Grand Champion win since the 47th Show (2022), a gap of three shows, etching his name into the half-century history of this commemorative 50th show.
The Kinshachi Prize, awarded to the best variety outside of the Gosanke, went to a 90bu “Ippinmono” entered by Mr. Herbert Fritch (USA). This koi was also acquired via Fitzs Fish Ponds at Narita Fish Farm’s “Collection 2024” event. Bred by Marusei Koi Farm, it is a 7-year-old, 92cm metallic variant from the Ogon Ochiba lineage.
Among the division Grand Champions, one koi has a remarkable award history. A Taisho Sanshoku (Sakai Koi Farm) that won the Grand Champion title at the inaugural 1st International Junior Koi Show in 2013, entered by Mr. Noriaki Yuasa, won the 65 chobu Male Grand Champion at this show.
Having been kept in Narita Fish Farm’s natural pond since then, twelve years have passed since it was a 35cm tosai. Now 14 years old and 80cm, it was entered in this show. Defying its age with remarkably preserved pattern, it shows little deterioration. This may mark the birth of a new legend, with expectations for further future success.
After the commendation ceremony, the attendees tossed Mr. Yokoi, the Grand Champion, high into the air as a gesture of congratulations, and the event concluded in a warm atmosphere of blessings.
Other top prizes were as follows:
Gigantic Koi Grand Champion / 90 bu Taisho Sanshoku / Takahiro Toyama
Superior Koi Grand Champion / 80 bu Kohaku / ZEN KOI FARM
Male Grand Champion / 65 chobu Kohaku / Yoshikatsu Toyama
Mature Koi Grand Champion / 70 bu Kohaku / Dainichi Koi Farm (Toyota Branch)
Adult Koi Champion / 50 bu Taisho Sanshoku / Norihiko Taniguchi
Young Koi Grand Champion / 40 bu Showa Sanshoku / Takahiro Toyama
Junior Koi Grand Champion / 25 bu Showa Sanshoku / Takahiro Toyama