Sanke

[Terri]

The idea is to offer information and photo's about each variety, comparing ideal representations of the variety to poor examples, and tips on what to look for when choosing a koi. Through this series many terms might be used that some may not have heard before so offering a short definition is a nice touch to help learn the terminology so often used.

Taisho Sanke or TAISHO SANSHOKU, another of 'Big 3' (Gosanke - kohaku, sanke, & showa) in the 14 classes of koi which are judged at koi shows.


SANKE
Description: a three coloured koi. Kohaku patterned with a sumi stepping stone pattern that runs along the back – a red and black ‘step’ pattern on white skin.
Sanke can be normally scaled (wagoi), ginrin, or doitsu.

Patterns:the depths of the three colours are important, requiring primarily pure white background and uniform shade of red (like Kohaku) plus black markings (looking much like they were placed with the dab of an artists paint brush). There should be no black markings on the head, again looking similar to the Kohaku. The body should have large red markings complimented by an even distribution of smaller black patches. These small sumi markings shouldn’t be excessive in amount, this gives the koi an untidy speckled appearance.Black markings on Sanke are described by their position on the pattern of the koi and the positioning should accentuate the beauty of the overall pattern. Sumi that appears on the white skin is known as "Tsubo" sumi. Sumi that appears on the hi is known as "Kasane" sumi.Black stripes are often seen in the pectoral fins and tail but not always.

While Sanke differ from Kohaku in that they have three colors, the standards by which the two varieties are judged are very similar.

Variations of Sanke:
Aka Sanke - single red pattern extends length of body, black is usually on the red

Kanoko Sanke - red pattern is dappled

Tancho Sanke - has red only on head

Tsubaki Sanke - has large black pattern from head to dorsal area

Budo Sanke - black markings appear on the hi of a sanke

Koromo Sanke - blue markings appear on the hi of a sanke

Sanke Shusui (Sanshoku Shusui) - sanke pattern on blue shusui colored skin

Yamato Nishiki - metallic skinned sanke patterned fish

Heisei Nishiki – same as Yamato Nishiki but doitsu

Fuji Sanke - metallic luster on head only, appears as tiny shiny bubbles


History: Taisho Sanshoku or Sanke was named in honor of the Taisho era, 1912 to 1926. Sanshoku meaning three colours. In 1917, excellent bloodlines of Sanke were developed and Sanke farmers of today can still trace their parent fish bloodlines back to these origins. Taisho Sanshoku of the Sadozo linage appear to have more Sumi of round shape with deep insertion of patterns. The hidden black markings appearing on the bluish skin will become glossy, fine Sumi. Taisho Sanshoku of the Jinbei lineage have massive Sumi of good quality. However, this Sumi may get cracked or break into pieces (pebble Sumi) when the koi get older.

Please feel free to add your own comments and/or pictures of your Sanke!! If you have questions then by all means ask!!

My Sanke examples...
http://backyardpuddle.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_nissai-sanke.jpg

http://backyardpuddle.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Sanke%7E0.jpg http://backyardpuddle.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_sanke1.jpg http://backyardpuddle.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_sansai-sanke_resize.jpg

[Peg]

Hi Terrie.
Its great you are doing this. It really helps to see the difference between the fish that fall under the same name. Sometimes I think we get it stuck in our heads from the discription we read as to what they should look like, and dont very from that. and yet they do. Thats were the pics are very helpfull. Oh and when you get to my guys, I'll send in some pics of the poorer quality fish . Feel free to use them in the "what not to buy" section. I'm Ok with that. !rofl :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

I like the one in the second picture, maybe because it is almost showa in pattern. Here is my poor example Dr. Doodle, not enough red at the back to balance

http://jackieramo.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSCN6577.JPG

The other side (dont' worry old pic the fish is not red now)
http://jackieramo.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSCN6729.JPG

[flywheel]

Terri, any tips for picking sankes so the hi and sumi are at their best at the same time?
Ron

[Terri]

Hi Ron,
Here's a good link - Choosing a Sanke (http://www.makc.com/MAKCLIBRARY/Sanke_Winkler.pdf) This is a .pdf document from the MAKC. Sums it up pretty much but if you have any questions let's please do discuss them ;-)

[flywheel]

Good article Terri, I will be bringing my koi in this weekend, hopefully can get some decent pics, I haven't bothered trying since mid summer. I have some sanke that the sumi is just starting to emerge so it's interesting to see if they develop into decent fish. I will get some of my showa and put them in the thread from this summer, I think you'll like the change, the face is much lighter.

[Jackie Ramo]

Did you get those pics? Did you get the fish moved?

[flywheel]

Well, things never go according to plan, I ended up getting a new liner for the inside pond a couple of days ago and I'm getting ready tonight to bring them in tomorrow. Had my sister sew up a Bickal DYI sock net so I am anxious to get in the water and use it.
Terri, again that article was excellent, when looking at sankes now it's much easier to determine a nice one by first looking for a good balanced kohaku pattern before going to the sumi, and then looking at the sumi for a good balanced bekko pattern.
Ron

[Jackie Ramo]

Well I hope its warmer where you are. Water is cold here this time of year. Good fishing!

[flywheel]

The fish are inside, pictures are taken, experiencing technical difficulties. I'll try again tomorrow-my head hurts. I think my sankes have the speckled,untidy appearance. If more sumi comes up and joins the specks they may be OK.

[Jackie Ramo]

Well we all think our children are ugly when we are grumpy :grin: The goodnews is they are inside and the hard part now begins !rofl

[dcny]

This gal is well over 30". I know I said sanke were elegant and showa were powerful but this is a powerful sanke.

[Jackie Ramo]

See, to me this fish looks more showa than sanke. Maybe it is the lack white which is usally prevelant in showa.

[dcny]

See, to me this fish looks more showa than sanke. Maybe it is the lack white which is usally prevelant in showa.
It's not the amount of white that's important in showa and sanke. The black plays a much bigger role is differentiating the two. In sanke, the sumi appears as individual patches or blocks on the body of the fish. Most of the time these patches and blocks are above the lateral line of the fish. In showa, the sumi wraps around the entire fish and can usually be see below the lateral line.

If you're comfortable differentiating an utsuri from a bekko, that can be translated directly to showa and sanke. An usturi is a showa without the red. A bekko is a sanke without the red.

-Dan

[Jackie Ramo]

I'd have thought the amount of white was important on a Sanke but less so on a showa.

Since Ian gave me Izi I've had to learn the difference between him and a bekko :grin:

[Terri]

The fish are inside, pictures are taken, experiencing technical difficulties. I'll try again tomorrow-my head hurts. I think my sankes have the speckled,untidy appearance. If more sumi comes up and joins the specks they may be OK.Any photo's yet?

:-)

[flywheel]

Of course, you didn't think I took all those others without getting everybody did ya? The 2 pics of the the bigger more speckled one, is this fish showa due to how far down the sumi is? Whichever, it's too speckled, the other large one needs more beni, right? The two smaller ones just kind of caught my eye so I don't want to beat them up too bad. I will be trying to upgrade my sankes in the spring, the more I learn, the more glaring the imperfections become. I know I can't have perfect fish but I want to raise the bar a little higher.

Ron

[Terri]

Mr. Speckle is a Sanke, telltale stripes in the pecs,tail, dorsal and vent fins,... and the sumi 'blocking' - could go either way, young fish (?) so the sumi might clean up with age...

Not a bad batch to learn from,... what that will be is all over the place :grin:

"rudolf" is too cute ;)