“Nishikigoi”: Niigata’s Swimming Treasures

The Sixtieth Niigata Koi Show was held in the grounds of Ojiya municipal gymnasium on November 7 and 8, 2020.

A kōhaku variety of nishikigoi measuring over 80 centimeters in length won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Prize.

Pamphlets features photographs of the carp taken from above.

The district of Yamakoshi in Nagaoka is referred to as the home of the nishikigoi. What at first glance appear to be paddy fields are actually pools for carp farming.

Bred by Maruhiro Koi Farm, this asagi won the chairman’s prize in the 80-centimeter division at the Niigata Koi Show.

Isa Mitsunori of Isa Koi Farms stands inside a building housing wintering tanks.

This Shōwa sanshoku bred by the Isa Koi Farm won the Fisheries Agency directors prize at the Niigata Koi Show.

A month after the earthquake, a nishikigoi farm in Yamakoshi stands abandoned. (© Jiji)

An area for taking photos has been set up beside an aquaculture tank at Isa Koi Farm. The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged the farm to focus more on online sales to overseas customers.

A yamabukiōgon variety raised by Izumiya Koi Farm won the over 80-centimeter division at the Niigata Koi Show.

Isa Koi Farm chiefly breeds the three main nishikigoi varieties and is particularly well known for its prize-winning Shōwa sanshoku, which are referred to as Isa Shōwa.