GOSHIKI
General
Description
'Goshiki'
is the term applied to a koi that has a white base color with
black-and-blue reticulation,
overlaid by Kohaku-like red patterns. Reticulation
refers to scales that form a net-like appearance.
The word 'goshiki' translates to 'five colors.' The
original goshiki was developed from the sanke and asagi.
Thus, the 'five colors' of the goshiki are the red, black, and
white of the sanke and the gray and blue of the asagi.
Appreciation
Criteria
Color
The
shiro (white) base color of the body must be unblemished,
thick, snowy, and even milky underneath the black-and-blue
reticulation of the scales.
The
hi
(red) markings on the
white body must be solid, deep, and evenly-colored throughout
the entire body. The edges of these markings (also known as
the 'kiwa') must be very defined, or as they say, 'sharp as a
razor.'
The hi color may vary from koi to koi, but it should be of
uniform hue within an individual koi.
The red markings must not be blemished by any black spots.
Pattern
The red markings on the body must be artistically
balanced.
This means that they must not be confined to one side or one
end of the koi only.
The reticulation effect on the white base color of the goshiki
must exhibit a perfect
netting effect that is visibly sharp and nicely distributed.
Goshiki koi with perfect reticulation on snow-white body are
very desirable.
A clean and unblemished head is also a sought-after trait of a
goshiki.
Body
Please see separate article on
The Ideal Koi Body.
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