The 1st WNC JAPANKOI Cup

Mr Kazuaki Yamano’s ‘Isa Showa’ Crowned First Champion

571 Koi Gathered from 37 Prefectures Across Japan

Koi Show News pickup

24 May 2026
Venue: Sakai Fish Farm Co., Ltd. car park (Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

The ‘1st WNC JAPANKOI Cup’, organised primarily by young members of the ‘World Nishikigoi Club (WNC)’, was held on Sunday 24 May at the car park of Sakai Fish Farm Co., Ltd. in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Held with the aim of increasing the number of domestic Nishikigoi enthusiasts and revitalising the industry as a whole, amidst a decline in their numbers, this inaugural event attracted over 100 enthusiasts from 37 prefectures across the country, with 571 fish entered.
As the maximum size for entries was 42bu, all judging was carried out with the Koi still in plastic bags. The judges were Koji Tamaura (Tamaura Koi Farm), Shuichi Yoshida (Odakan Co., Ltd.), Takayoshi Omosako (Omosako Koi Farm Ltd.), Tomonobu Hatanaka (KOI-UMEDA JAPAN Co., Ltd.), Takigawa Hassei (Takigawa Koi Farm), Eiji Konishi (Maruchiku Fish Farm), Benjaming Goh (Ben Koi Centre), Kurniadi Prakasa Pieth (Japan Direct Koi Centre) and Peerapat Chotchaiwiwongkul (Matrix Koi Farm) served as judges.
Following the vote, the ‘42bu Showa’ entered by Mr Kazuaki Yamano was crowned the first-ever champion. Bred by Isa Koi Farm Co., Ltd. (Niigata), it was purchased in March this year via the Kintaro Nishikigoi Co., Ltd. (Aichi) YouTube channel and has been reared by Kintaro Nishikigoi Co., Ltd. It was entered in this competition as a two-year-old measuring 42 cm.
Next, the Grand Champion B – selected from outside the Gosanke – was awarded to the 42bu Goshiki (bred by Kanno Koi Farm) entered by Mr Yuki Arai. It was sourced by Koi Bokujo (Hokkaido) last autumn and acquired by Mr Arai this spring. Its rearing was entrusted to the same facility, and it was entered into the competition at two years old and 42 cm.
Another highlight of the Koi show was the tour of the Sakai Fish Farm led by Mr Kentaro Sakai, during which he generously shared details—ranging from the facilities and rearing methods to the parent koi—that could be considered trade secrets, prompting a flurry of questions from participants. In addition, a raffle for special Tosai fish bred at the farm and a barbecue were held, allowing participants to thoroughly enjoy the rich programme.
This historic first tournament drew to a close amidst great success, and it will be interesting to see whether it serves as a catalyst to further energise the domestic koi enthusiast community in the future.

Grand Champion A
42bu Showa sanshoku / Mr. Kazuaki Yamano (Mie)
Bred by Isa Koi Farm
Handled by Kintaro Nishikigoi

Kazuaki Yamano (centre), the Grand Champion of the competition, and Masami Kinjo (left) of Kintaro Nishikigoi Co., Ltd., both beaming with joy

Grand Champion B
42bu Goshiki / Mr. Yuki Arai (Yamagata)
Bred by Kanno Koi farm
Handled by Koi Bokujo

As Yuki Arai, Grand Champion B, was unable to attend, Shutaro Uemori from the Koibokujo accepted the award on his behalf (centre left)

Adult Champion
42bu Showa sanshoku / Takahiro Toyama (Aichi)
Handled by Narita koi farm
Young champion
30bu Kohaku / Takahiro Nagano (Tokyo)
Handled by Narita koi farm

Baby champion
24bu Showa sanshoku / Takahiro Toyama (Aichi)
Handled by Narita koi farm
Diamond Grand Prize
42bu Kohaku / Hideaki Higashi (Fukuoka)
Bred by Matsue Nishikigoi Centre
Handled by Maruchiku Koi Farm

Emerald Grand Prize
36bu Utsurimono / Tomokatsu Hayakawa (Fukuoka)
Bred by Ogata Koi Farm
Handled by Maruchiku Koi Farm
Ruby Grand Prize
42bu Koromo / Kazuhiko Mori (Mie)
Handled by Narita Koi Farm

Cat’s Eye Grand Prize
21bu Kujaku / Hirotaka Yui (Osaka)
Bred by Hosokai Koi Farm
Handled by Koi Bokujo
Sapphire Grand Prize
42bu Tancho / Shugo Hoshino (Tokyo)
Handled by Sensuke Co., Ltd.

All nine size categories, ranging from 18bu to 42bu, were judged via bag screening

A guided tour of the Sakai Fish Farm, with commentary by Mr Kentaro Sakai
Introduction to the parent koi

Mr Kentaro Sakai, President of the WNC, and Mr Ryuki Narita, Vice-President, manning the barbecue themselves
Participants savouring the barbecue

Members of the organising committee wearing relieved smiles as the inaugural competition concluded successfully.
Front row, from left: Shutaro Uemori (Koibokujo / Hokkaido), Kotaro Sakai (Sakai Fish Farm / Hiroshima), Masami Kinjo (Kintaro Nishikigoi / Aichi), Shuki Narita (Narita koi farm / Aichi), Takuto Hirasawa (Marudo Koi Farm / Niigata), Kazuya Nishijima (Uosui / Osaka)
Back row, from left: Daiki Tani (Tani Co., Ltd. / Chiba), Masahiro Iitsuka (Matsue Nishikigoi Centre Ltd. / Shimane), Kazuhiro Hirasawa (Kanno Koi Farm / Niigata), Katsuhiko Tsujimoto (Tedori Fishland / Ishikawa), Kimikazu Sakamaki (Sakamaki Koi Farm / Niigata)