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07-17-2010, 12:08 PM
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->Another variety,... one that is becoming quite popular.
KUJAKU
Slightly edited for the purpose of this post... http://www.pondtrademag.com/articles/ar-18/
(http://www.pondtrademag.com/articles/ar-18/)
With Kujaku, there are the following major variables when choosing one:
Sheen and Luster Since Kujaku is a metallic koi, the sheen and luster of the koi is the first criteria to look at. If it is dull it will not catch the eye as well as one that is bright and shiny.
Clean Reticulation
Reticulation is the black net pattern that is seen on top of the other colors in Kujaku and a few other varieties. This reticulation can be light and delicate, or dark and heavy, and everything in between. The thing to look for and point out is the evenness of the markings. If every scale has the same size and depth of black markings, and the scales line up in nice rows, this is a very beautiful feature and something you can point out. If not, look at other attributes of the koi.
Clean Head
A clean head is something you can talk about in many different varieties of koi. In Kujaku a dirty head usually refers to black smudges on the head that are un-attractive. Some black, if it is symmetrical, such as above the eyes like eyebrows can be very appealing and it is cute -but not desirable in a good kujaku. If the koi has a clean head, it makes the koi look healthy and strong.
Clean White Ground
The Japanese call the white skin between color patches or plates, the ground. In Japanese it is called shiroji. On Kujaku the whiter the better. If it looks like porcelain it can be stunning.
Nicely Balanced Hi (red) Plates
The hi or red patches on a Kujaku are just like the hi on a Kohaku except on a metallic koi. They look best if they are somewhat large and well-balanced front to back and left to right. White as well as red on the head is the most attractive usually.
Depth of Hi
There can be a difference in how solid or “thick” the hi plates appear on a Kujaku. The color is most impressive if there are no areas that look thin, like a single coat of paint.
Cleanliness of Fins
If a Kujaku’s pectoral fins have blotchy black on them it detracts from the overall appearance of the koi. If the fins are bright shiny white, they add dramatically to the overall impact of the koi.
Other Variables -
[I]Red or <st1:city><st1>Orange</st1></st1:city>
Kujaku red can be quite dark and rich or nearly yellow, and again, everything in between. They are all Kujaku. Consistent color is what to point out.
Doitsu
Doitsu is the term for the scaleless version of a koi. In some varieties of koi, being doitsu may not make a great deal of difference in the appearance of that koi. In Kujaku the difference is huge. Since doitsu means scaleless, and one major defining variable in the Kujaku is the net pattern on the scales, how can there even be a Doitsu Kujaku? Black can still appear on the skin, which would still qualify it as a Kujaku, but it is not usually very appealing. What is quite attractive is when there is a row of scales down the top of the back of the koi, splitting into two parallel rows at the dorsal fin. If these scales have black reticulation on them, then you have a fine Doitsu Kujaku. The Doitsu Kujaku can be very striking. It really looks like a completely different fish. The biggest thing to watch for is symmetrical scalation. Note how interesting the scales can look if they are nice even rows down the back of the koi.
<o></o>
[I]The following article was written by Joel Burkard/Pan Intercorp and previously published in PONDSCAPES magazine[I] All rights reserved Joel Burkard/Pan Intercorp 1995<o></o>
Created in the early 1960's by Mr. "Nishi" Hirasawa of Hiranishi Fish Farms, the Kujaku was originally included in the Hikarimoyo category. In recent years Kujaku (literally "Peacock") have received a lot of attention and with their increasing popularity, are often judged in a category of their own.
The Kujaku is a metallic or Ogon koi with the reticulated net-like pattern of the Matsuba on it's back. This is overlaid with either a gold, yellow, orange or red Kohaku-type pattern creating a striking effect.
Because it is a metallic koi, the sheen and luster of the skin are considered one of the most important points to look for.
Whether the head has color or not, it should be clear and not congested-looking. The fins should be vibrant and unblemished.
The clarity of the reticulation (fukurin) on the net pattern is also important but often remains undeveloped until the koi is two or three years old.
The overlay pattern whether of gold, yellow, orange or red, is commonly referred to as the Beni (literally "red").The beni on the Kujaku should be uniform in it's intensity, but should allow the net pattern to show through from underneath.
Since there are so many variables on a Kujaku, one has to be prepared to forgive a fault or two, or pay the price for an exquisite specimen. When selecting any koi, it is better to concentrate on the koi's strengths and attributes rather than to focus on it's short comings.
Examples of Kujaku..
KUJAKU
Slightly edited for the purpose of this post... http://www.pondtrademag.com/articles/ar-18/
(http://www.pondtrademag.com/articles/ar-18/)
With Kujaku, there are the following major variables when choosing one:
Sheen and Luster Since Kujaku is a metallic koi, the sheen and luster of the koi is the first criteria to look at. If it is dull it will not catch the eye as well as one that is bright and shiny.
Clean Reticulation
Reticulation is the black net pattern that is seen on top of the other colors in Kujaku and a few other varieties. This reticulation can be light and delicate, or dark and heavy, and everything in between. The thing to look for and point out is the evenness of the markings. If every scale has the same size and depth of black markings, and the scales line up in nice rows, this is a very beautiful feature and something you can point out. If not, look at other attributes of the koi.
Clean Head
A clean head is something you can talk about in many different varieties of koi. In Kujaku a dirty head usually refers to black smudges on the head that are un-attractive. Some black, if it is symmetrical, such as above the eyes like eyebrows can be very appealing and it is cute -but not desirable in a good kujaku. If the koi has a clean head, it makes the koi look healthy and strong.
Clean White Ground
The Japanese call the white skin between color patches or plates, the ground. In Japanese it is called shiroji. On Kujaku the whiter the better. If it looks like porcelain it can be stunning.
Nicely Balanced Hi (red) Plates
The hi or red patches on a Kujaku are just like the hi on a Kohaku except on a metallic koi. They look best if they are somewhat large and well-balanced front to back and left to right. White as well as red on the head is the most attractive usually.
Depth of Hi
There can be a difference in how solid or “thick” the hi plates appear on a Kujaku. The color is most impressive if there are no areas that look thin, like a single coat of paint.
Cleanliness of Fins
If a Kujaku’s pectoral fins have blotchy black on them it detracts from the overall appearance of the koi. If the fins are bright shiny white, they add dramatically to the overall impact of the koi.
Other Variables -
[I]Red or <st1:city><st1>Orange</st1></st1:city>
Kujaku red can be quite dark and rich or nearly yellow, and again, everything in between. They are all Kujaku. Consistent color is what to point out.
Doitsu
Doitsu is the term for the scaleless version of a koi. In some varieties of koi, being doitsu may not make a great deal of difference in the appearance of that koi. In Kujaku the difference is huge. Since doitsu means scaleless, and one major defining variable in the Kujaku is the net pattern on the scales, how can there even be a Doitsu Kujaku? Black can still appear on the skin, which would still qualify it as a Kujaku, but it is not usually very appealing. What is quite attractive is when there is a row of scales down the top of the back of the koi, splitting into two parallel rows at the dorsal fin. If these scales have black reticulation on them, then you have a fine Doitsu Kujaku. The Doitsu Kujaku can be very striking. It really looks like a completely different fish. The biggest thing to watch for is symmetrical scalation. Note how interesting the scales can look if they are nice even rows down the back of the koi.
<o></o>
[I]The following article was written by Joel Burkard/Pan Intercorp and previously published in PONDSCAPES magazine[I] All rights reserved Joel Burkard/Pan Intercorp 1995<o></o>
Created in the early 1960's by Mr. "Nishi" Hirasawa of Hiranishi Fish Farms, the Kujaku was originally included in the Hikarimoyo category. In recent years Kujaku (literally "Peacock") have received a lot of attention and with their increasing popularity, are often judged in a category of their own.
The Kujaku is a metallic or Ogon koi with the reticulated net-like pattern of the Matsuba on it's back. This is overlaid with either a gold, yellow, orange or red Kohaku-type pattern creating a striking effect.
Because it is a metallic koi, the sheen and luster of the skin are considered one of the most important points to look for.
Whether the head has color or not, it should be clear and not congested-looking. The fins should be vibrant and unblemished.
The clarity of the reticulation (fukurin) on the net pattern is also important but often remains undeveloped until the koi is two or three years old.
The overlay pattern whether of gold, yellow, orange or red, is commonly referred to as the Beni (literally "red").The beni on the Kujaku should be uniform in it's intensity, but should allow the net pattern to show through from underneath.
Since there are so many variables on a Kujaku, one has to be prepared to forgive a fault or two, or pay the price for an exquisite specimen. When selecting any koi, it is better to concentrate on the koi's strengths and attributes rather than to focus on it's short comings.
Examples of Kujaku..