Utsurimono Koi Varieties: Everything You Need to Know

What is an Utsuri Koi?

Utsurimono, commonly referred to as ‘Utsuri,’ includes three distinct varieties of black koi. These koi have a deep black base colour (sumi) with contrasting, bright accent colours overlaid on the black. Each Utsuri Koi is unique in its patterning and colour, making them particularly sought after by Koi enthusiasts.

What Does Utsuri Koi Mean?

The word Utsuri means "reflection," and in the context of Koi, it refers to a pattern type where the base colour of the body is sumi (black). This is overlaid with flashes of vivid, contrasting colours to create a striking visual effect.

Key Traits of Utsuri Koi

Utsurimono Koi are often mistaken for Bekko varieties due to their similar colouring. However, the primary difference is that Utsuri are black Koi with red, white, or yellow markings, while Bekko are white Koi with black markings. Unlike Bekko, Utsuri Koi also feature sumi (black) markings on the head, extending down to the nose. Additionally, all Utsuri varieties should have solid sumi at the base of each fin.

Utsuri vs. Bekko: Key Differences

• Utsuri: Black Koi with red, white, or yellow markings.

• Bekko: White Koi with black markings.

• Sumi Markings: Utsuri Koi have sumi markings on the head extending down to the nose, while Bekko do not.

Subtypes of Utsuri Koi

There are several subtypes of Utsuri Koi, each distinguished by its unique colourations and patterns.

Ki Utsuri

Ki Utsuri is a black Koi with yellow markings. The contrast between the black body and yellow patterning often gives the appearance of a checkerboard or bumblebee-like design.

Hi Utsuri

Hi Utsuri is a black koi with red markings. In high-quality Hi Utsuri, the red colour is uniform throughout the body, although sometimes the red on the head is darker than on the rest of the body.

Shiro Utsuri

Shiro Utsuri is a black koi that features white markings. The sumi is jet black, providing a stark contrast against the pure white patterns. A clean white pattern is ideal, and the design often resembles a checkerboard.

Kin Ki Utsuri

Kin Ki Utsuri is a black koi with metallic gold colorations. While similar to Ki Utsuri, the metallic nature of the gold makes it appear shinier, giving the yellow a more golden tone.

Gin Rin

Gin Rin refers to a scale type that can be combined with any Koi pattern. These scales have a reflective quality, giving the fish a sparkling appearance.

Doitsu

Doitsu means “scaleless,” and these koi can have any pattern. They are known for their smooth, silky texture and lack of scales.

History and Origin of Utsuri Koi

The first Utsuri Koi were produced in the 1890s through the breeding of a Magoi (black wild carp) and a Ki Bekko (yellow and black pattern overlaid on a white body). This created a black Koi with a Ki (yellow) pattern.

The Development of Utsuri Varieties

• Ki Utsuri: Produced by breeding a Magoi with a Ki Bekko, the Ki Utsuri variety was consistently bred with good quality markings by 1921.

• Hi Utsuri: In the late 1910s, breeders crossed Ki Utsuri with Kohaku Koi to create Hi Utsuri, featuring red markings over the black base colour. These Koi were first showcased at a koi show in 1924.

• Shiro Utsuri: In the 1920s, Shiro Utsuri Koi were first bred, although noone is quite sure how they were bred, the most common theory suggests the use of Shiro Bekko (black and white koi) to produce this variety. The first recognition of Shiro Utsuri was in 1931.

Today, Utsuri Koi are well-established and consistently bred with other Koi of Utsuri lineages to ensure high-quality specimens.

Fun Facts About Utsuri Koi

• Ki Utsuri Rarity: Although Ki Utsuri were the first variation to be developed, they are now the rarest due to their difficulty in breeding compared to Hi and Shiro Utsuris.

• Revitalization Efforts: After the rise of Hi Utsuri's popularity, many breeders stopped producing Ki Utsuri. However, Maruyo and Otsuka Koi Farms have worked for decades to revitalize this rare variety.

• Shiro Utsuri Success: Even though Shiro Utsuri has been bred since the 1920s, they were only first entered into the All-Japan Koi Show in 1991. In 2013, Shiro Utsuri won the champion title, nearly 100 years after the variety's development.

Find Your Perfect Utsuri Koi

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

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

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