A trip to a koi shop　Takigawa Koi Farm / Hiroshima Prefecture

Accumulating trust and breeding Koi that everyone recognizes.

‘I want to express my own colours with the Showa era as my axis’.

　

In Hiroshima, a region renowned for its many skilled koi producers, Takigawa Koi Farm stands out with its distinctive presence. Founded by Mr. Hiroaki Takigawa, the farm specializes in the Gosanke, while also gaining attention for its Koromo, Goshiki, and Kujaku, which have frequently made headlines at national koi show.
Today, Hiroaki Takigawa’s two children, Hassei Takigawa and Ryotoku Takigawa, have become the core forces behind the farm. They are dedicated to shaping a new identity for Takigawa Koi Farm, carrying forward their father’s legacy while innovating for the future.

ー I’m sorry to disturb you during your busy schedule. Are you conducting screenings every day during this period (August 23rd)?
Takigawa: Yes. We are currently conducting secondary and tertiary screenings, and we have just released the third batch of fry. It’s still uncertain whether we can manage to proceed with the fourth batch…
ー Are you planning to go for a fourth batch? Are these tasks handled by Mr. Hassei, Mr. Ryotoku, and your father (Mr. Hiroaki)?
Takigawa: Occasionally, one- or two-part workers come to help, but it’s still quite tough (laughs).
ー How large is the fry pond?
Takigawa: It’s about 16,000 square meters. It’s nearly 5,000 square meters larger than when my father was managing it, but it’s still not enough. If we could double the current area, it would probably be much easier.

ー how many bellies do you produce each year?
Takigawa: About 10 to 15 bellies.
ー In the past, you mainly focused on the Gosanke and also focus to Koromo and Goshiki. What varieties are you mainly producing now?
Takigawa: Now we mainly focus on the Gosanke, and also produce a small amount of Muji.
ー Does the Muji refer to things like Karashi and their Ginrin?
Takigawa: Yes. In the future, we plan to streamline the varieties as much as possible.
ー Focusing on the Gosanke?
Takigawa: We particularly aim to center our efforts on the Showa Sanshoku. However, at the moment, relying solely on Showa Sanshoku isn’t feasible because we don’t have enough parent koi, and there are also customers who request other varieties. So, from a business perspective, while we focus on Showa Sanshoku, we will also produce Kohaku and Taisho Sanshoku.

ー Indeed, Hiroshima doesn’t give me much of a Showa impression.
Takigawa: In Hiroshima, there are very few producers whose main product is Showa, so I think that’s one reason why Showa isn’t the focus here. Moreover, Mr. Sakai has many highly distinguished visitors, and since we are fortunate enough to be producing near Mr. Sakai, we hope these guests might also stop by our place.
Hiroshima has many famous producers, and I believe people visit them at least once a year. To encourage these guests to visit us as well when they’re in the area, I’ve been thinking about what kind of products we should focus on…

ー In other words, you need to create a unique advantage for Takigawa Fish Farm.
Takigawa: I’ve been in this industry for seven yea
rs now. Since my father’s generation, we’ve produced a variety of breeds, but I’ve been wondering what our signature breed really is. Of course, there are customers who love our products, but objectively speaking, when I think about where our koi stand on a national level, I feel that if we continue like this, we might become mediocre. That’s why I’ve decided to focus on just a few breeds.
ー I see. So, with Mr. Hase’s generation, the lineage of parent koi has also changed significantly, hasn’t it?
Takigawa: The older parent koi are still here, and we sometimes use them, but I try to use parent koi from top producers nowadays. I really like Mr. Dainichi’s Showa—they are exceptional—so I often use their parent koi. Although it’s very difficult to raise koi that are both large and beautiful, it’s enjoyable because it’s a dream of mine. Additionally, we aim to produce koi that are not only beautiful but also long-lived. The longer their lifespan, the higher the reputation of the producer, so we will continue to work hard and accumulate experience in this area.

ー Are we currently in the process of building trust?
Takigawa: Yes. Being able to use the best koi from top producers is, I believe, part of the trust-building process.
ー This kind of persuasiveness might give customers a different feeling, right?
Takigawa: It gives them a sense of security. So, we are very grateful for this opportunity.
ー How have the results been so far this year?
Takigawa: I think it’s the best work I’ve done so far, but it’s still far from reaching the passing mark in my mind. I hope every koi can meet my own standards, but we’re still far from that.
ー Is the goal still far away?
Takigawa: It feels like we’ve just started. The goal is clear, and I will strive to get closer to it.

ー Do you have a specific image of the target koi?
Takigawa: If I were to name a favorite variety, it would be the Kohaku from Dainichi, who won the 2020 All Japan Grand Champion. It has a very large head and a high body.
ー So the goal is a Showa with that kind of body shape?
Takigawa: Yes, I want to breed koi that can amaze myself. Although my current situation of having nothing may make this dream seem too far away, as long as I start now, never forget my original intention, and keep working hard, I believe it will be realized one day.

ー Hiroshima is home to many renowned producers. Does such an environment stimulate you?
Takigawa: To be honest, I feel quite inferior. Because on a national level, the producers here are exceptionally talented. In such an environment, to ensure our products are needed and remembered by customers, we must create koi that are recognized for their quality and color…
ー If you don’t establish the individuality of Takigawa Koi Farm, will it be overshadowed by the surroundings?
Takigawa: Yes. I believe only when our name is mentioned, and people immediately think of and recognize the unique characteristics of our koi shop, can we survive. So we must showcase our uniqueness, otherwise, the meaning of our existence becomes unclear.
ー Recently, I heard that the Nakabane market is somewhat saturated, and only high-end products are selling. Is there such a trend?
Takigawa: Indeed, there is such a feeling. Therefore, how to produce high-quality products has become very important.
ー What is the ratio of domestic to international sales?
Takigawa: Currently, it’s 70% international and 30% domestic.
ー Which countries are the main international markets?
Takigawa: Europe has been a market since my father’s time, mainly the UK and the Netherlands. In Southeast Asia, it’s mainly Thailand and Malaysia.
ー You has been doing this for 7 years. Do you think this job suits you?
Takigawa: How should I put it, I might have a bit of a craftsman’s temperament, so in that regard, it might be somewhat suitable…
ー Your father also gives that impression. Has Mr. Rotoku’s career been about the same length as yours?
Takigawa: He is 3 years younger than me, so he has 3 years less experience.
ー The Showa that you and your brother are creating at Takigawa Koi Farm is something to look forward to in the future. When you create koi that satisfy you, I hope to visit again.