The Ultimate Guide to Kohaku Koi: Origins, Traits, and Varieties

 

“Koi keeping begins and ends with Kohaku”

Without a doubt, Kohaku is the most recognized and sought-after koi variety. When you mention koi to most people, the first image that comes to mind is a red and white fish — Kohaku.

What Makes Kohaku Koi Special?

They are part of the Gosanke koi group, which literally translates as 'three families' or commonly referred to as one of the 'Big Three'. This group includes: Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa. Gosanke koi are extremely popular, and you would be hard-pressed to find a pond that doesn’t have any Gosanke koi within it.

These varieties are the most well-established and stable Koi varieties and are considered the best or most important varieties in Koi keeping. They routinely win the All-Japan Koi Show.

The History and Origins of Kohaku Koi

The Kohaku breed is believed to be one of the first ornamental varieties of carp to be developed. Initially, these fish were referred to as ‘Sarasa’ after the traditional Japanese textile. Sarasa Koi appeared 200 years ago, and over time, the quality of the koi gradually improved.

It is believed that between 1818-1843, the first white-coloured carp with red markings was crossbred in Japan. The specific markings of the Kohaku date back to 1888 when a man named Kunizo Hiroi bred his red-headed female koi with a male koi that had a white body and patches of red (resembling cherry blossoms).

The name ‘Sarasa’ is still used today to identify a specific type of red and white goldfish which belongs to the carp family. However, in relation to koi, what was once ‘Sarasa’ became more visually defined and known as ‘Kohaku’.

This marked the start of the breed as we know it today. This bloodline developed into the first true Kohaku bloodline, from which all other Kohaku bloodlines extend.

Key Traits of Kohaku Koi

Recognizing Kohaku’s Coloration

Kohaku is instantly recognizable by its white and red colour combination. Kohaku should have a pure white background or base skin colour (known as Shiroji). This pure white backdrop is then overlaid with splashes of red (known as Hi). The Hi/Red colour in Kohaku should be rich and vivid, with crisp edges that provide a stark contrast to the white body.

In high-quality Kohaku koi, the red colour should not extend beyond the eyes or the lateral line on the body. A well-grown Kohaku koi is truly stunning and makes an excellent addition to any pond.

Subtypes of Kohaku Koi

While ‘Kohaku’ refers to the colour of the fish, its pattern can vary drastically between individuals. These are the most common types of Kohaku Koi:

Inazuma/ Ippon Hi (Single)

Inazuma refers to Kohaku koi with a continuous pattern from head to tail in the form of a lightning strike. If the pattern is in a solid, straight line down the body, it is referred to as Ippon Hi.

Nidan (Two-Step)

The Nidan Kohaku has two distinct patches of red on the body, with a clear break between them.

Sandan (Three-Step)

The Sandan Kohaku has three distinctive red patches along the body. A high-quality Sandan will have evenly balanced steps and proportional segments from head to tail.

Yodan (Four-Step)

The Yodan Kohaku has four distinctive red patches along the body. A top-tier Yodan should present proportional red patches with clean white breaks between them.

Godan (Five-Step)

The Godan Kohaku has five red patches along the body. It’s rare to find a high-quality Godan, but when one is found, it features evenly balanced red steps across the body, proportioned from head to tail.

Tancho Kohaku

Tancho Kohaku are characterized by an all-white body and a neat red circle on the head. This pattern is often associated with good fortune in Japanese culture.

Gin Rin Kohaku

Gin Rin refers to the scale type. It can be in conjunction with any koi pattern, but the Gin Rin scales have a reflective quality that makes the fish look like they sparkle. These scales can add an extra visual appeal to the Kohaku pattern.

Doitsu Kohaku

Doitsu Kohaku koi are scaleless, the body of the fish will be smooth/silky to the touch. The white should not be platinum or metallic in colour but more of a bright white, unlike the Kikisui variety, the Doitsu Kohaku has red markings typical of the Kohaku pattern.

Fun Facts About Kohaku Koi

• The most expensive koi ever sold was a Kohaku named ‘S Legend’, which won the All-Japan Koi Show. It was sold for a staggering £1.4 million (203 million Yen) after a fierce bidding war.

• Tancho koi are named after the sacred red-crowned crane of Japan, symbolizing good fortune, love, and long life.

• Tancho koi physically embody the Japanese flag with their red circle on a white body.

Find Your Perfect Kohaku Koi

We offer Kohaku koi starting from 4" in size, available both in-store and online. Browse our range of Kohaku Koi to find the perfect one for your pond!

Click here to shop our range of koi now!

For more information about koi or advice on your pond , check out the rest of our blogs…

Understanding Your Water Parameters for a Healthy Pond Ecosystem | What You Need to Know About Koi Ponds | The Importance of Pond Aeration