All Japan Koi Show part 2

After spending a couple hours walking around in Tokyo, I got on a train & headed towards Marudo's older sister's house in Chiba to spend the night. Marudo's daughter Keiko & father had come down for the weekend to visit, so they were staying there too. Lucky for me Marudo's sister runs a butcher shop with her husband, so for dinner we had delicious BBQ beef, pork & chicken. Marudo's niece studies english so we spent most of the night conversing in english. I had a lot of fun & had great food at the Aunt's house, I greatful they let me stay the night.

The next morning I headed back to the Ryustu Center to catch the awards ceremony. It was pretty funny at the end when they throw the Grand Champion winner up in the air. Then the mad rush to pack up fish started. First I packed up Marudo's fish, then after throughly sanitizing, I helped a couple others pack up their fish. I got some lunch around 4 pm, then hitched a ride back up to Niigata with Nogami san. A bunch of Niigata area breeders all drove back up together, so after we all unloaded our fish we got together for dinner. We celebrated the ending of another All Japan show.

I had a great time, met a couple new people & socialized with a lot of friends. I can't wait for next year!

All Japan Koi Show part 1

I headed down Saturday morning to go see the show, I was very impressed with it. Endless rows of tanks with many beautiful fish & and many familiar faces plus a couple new ones. A very fun experience over all.

The Grand Champion was won by an America, Andrew Filipowski with a Sakai Kohaku, runner up was a very beautiful Dainichi Showa. A Maruten Sanke bred by Marudo took Mature Champion, also a 4 step Gin Rin Kohaku from us was awarded the 55 Bu Sakura Award. Both were entries from customers.

After feeling like I couldn't possibly see anymore fish in one day & having sampled on the koi food at FD Food's booth (it tasted pretty good actually) I headed out to do some shopping in Tokyo.

All Japan

Packing my bags and heading out tomorrow morning down to Tokyo to go see the show. This will be my first time seeing the All Japan Koi Show because I missed out last year due to the flu. But, I'm healthy this year, and I can't wait!

We found out today the a sanke bred by us(sold to a customer) won the kokugyo prize in either the 70 or 75 cm class. That was exciting, but none of the 5 fish we sent down took any awards. So we are a little disappointed in that.

I'll report more after I head back on Sunday.