Japanese Meaning:
Red & White

Brief Description:
White fish with red markings.

Noteworthy:
Kohaku were first developed over 200 years ago and are among the most popular variety available to the koi enthusiast. In Japan they say "Keeping Nishikigoi begins with Kohaku and ends with Kohaku." What they mean by this is that Kohaku are usually the first classification a person learns, and in the end their favorite.

Varieties:
Many - based upon breeder & patterns of the red and white. Also can have gin rin (silver scales) or doitsu (german-scale) scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Japanese Era from 1912-1926, when this koi was first recorded.

Brief Description:
White non-metallic fish with red and black markings.

Noteworthy:
A Taisho Sanke is basically a Kohaku with black markings. This variety is also referred to as simply Sanke or Sanshoku. The positioning of the sumi (black) accentuates the beauty of the overall pattern. Whether the sumi pattern is bold and expressive or sparse and elegant, a deep lacquer-like black is most desirable.

Varieties:
Many - based upon breeder & patterns of the red, black, and white. Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Japanese Era from 1926-present, when this koi was first recorded.

Brief Description:
A tri-colored black fish with red and white markings.

Noteworthy:
The Showa Sanshoku was first bred by Mr. Jukichi Hoshino by mating a Ki-Utsuri and a Kohaku in 1927. The color of the first Showa Sanshoku was more of a yellowish-brown. It wasn't until Mr. Tomji Kobayashi cross bred with a Yagozen Kohaku that the scarlet red we know today was born.

Varieties:
Kindai Showa (new style), old style. Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Reflection

Brief Description:
Primarily a black fish with white (shiro), red (hi), or yellow (ki) markings. Utsuri are mostly black no matter what the secondary color may be. Generally Utsuri are between 60 to 70 percent black with only one other color making up the rest.

Noteworthy:
The first Utsurimono (Shiro-Utsuri) was bred by Mr. Kazuo Minemura of Mushigame in Yamakoshi village.

Good Utsuri have black on both the pectoral fins and the tail fin, and usually a quality Utsuri will have a good amount of black on the head as well. Both shiro and hi Utsuri are fairly common within the Koi trade, with the Ki Utsuri being quite rare and of course expensive. Utsuri are sometimes confused with Bekko since they do share some similarities. Note however that the Bekko is primarily white, red, or yellow with the black (sumi) making up only about 25 to 45 percent.

Varieties:
Shiro Utsuri (white), Hi Utsuri (red), Ki Utsuri (yellow). Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Tortoise Shell

Brief Description:
Bekko are non-metallic white, red, or yellow fish with black markings (sumi) that resemble a tortoise shell.

Noteworthy:
Developed during the Bunka (1804-17) and Bunsei (1818-29) era. They are often mistaken with Utsuri, which are similar but are predominantly black koi with white markings. One way to think of this difference is to put the Bekko's black accent on a Kohaku, with this you would get a Taisho Sanke. If you put the Utsuri's black accent on a Kohaku, you would have a Showa Sanke.

Varieties:
Aka Bekko, Ki Bekko, Shiro Bekko. Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Tancho Crane (red spot on the head)

Brief Description:
White fish with a red spot on its head.

Noteworthy:
Tancho are among the most popular of all koi varieties for pondkeepers. These koi are highly prized in Japan because of the similarity with the Japanese flag. The Tancho classification differs from others in that it contains koi from different varieties - namely, Kohaku, Sanke, Bekko and Showa. Their one distinguishing feature is a red mark, or tancho, on the head.

Varieties:
Tancho Kohaku, Tancho Sanke, Tancho Showa. Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Pale Blue

Brief Description:
A scaled, pale blue fish with orange belly and pinecone pattern on its back.

Noteworthy:
Asagi are a very old variety of koi that were developed about 175 years ago in Japan. They have provided the basis for many subsequent varieties.

For an Asagi to be considered of show quality, it must display uniform coloration of its blue reticulated pinecone scales bordered with white. Brilliant red must be present on its pectoral fins, sides of the head, base of the dorsal fin and its tail. It should have a clean white or light blue head without any spotting.

Varieties:
See Shusui for doitsu version. Also can have gin rin or doitsu scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Autumn Sky

Brief Description:
A scale-less (doitsu), pale blue fish with an orange belly, and a large line of dark blue scales down its back and lateral line. Basically, a doitsu Asagi.

Noteworthy:
Being doitsu the scales are quite large and reduced in number. Shusui were bred from Asagi and thus also have blue coloration on their backs with orange/red coloration on both the lateral line and pectoral fins.

Varieties:
Hi Shusui.

Japanese Meaning:
Robed

Brief Description:
A white fish with red markings that are "robed" by a different color scale outline.

Noteworthy:
Koromo literally means 'robed'. This describes the red (hi) pattern, outlined in a darker color, which varies within the variety. The complexity and subtle beauty of Koromo have caused them to be highly admired by collectors. Although they tend to be insignificant as young koi, large specimens are very impressive, with an elegance and finished appearance to match that of the Kohaku.

Varieties:
Ai Goromo, Sumi Goromo, Budo Goromo. Also can have gin rin scaling.

Japanese Meaning:
Metallic Reflection

Brief Description:
A bi-colored white, red, or yellow fish with black markings that resemble a tortoise shell. Metallic scaling.

Noteworthy:
Quality specimens from this group should have a rich, shiny metallic color as well as a clean pattern. The head region should also be free from any spotting.

Varieties:
Gin Shiro Utsuri, Kin Hi Utsuri, Kin Ki Utsuri, Kin Showa, Gin Showa.

Japanese Meaning:
Metallic Pattern

Brief Description:
White, red, or yellow fish with black markings that resemble a tortoise shell. Metallic scaling.

Noteworthy:
The koi in this group have two colors, one metallic, and the other flat. To be considered a quality fish, the metallic color should be bright bringing out the other color. The head region should also be free from any spotting.

Varieties:
Yamatonishiki, Kujaku, Hariwake, Kikisui, Yamabuki, Kinsui.

Japanese Meaning:
Metallic & Solid Color

Brief Description:
Single colored metallic koi with no markings

Noteworthy:
The koi in this group have only colors & the scales are metallic.

Varieties:
Platinum Ogon, Yamabuki Ogon, Orenji Ogon, Gin Matsuba.

Japanese Meaning:
Unusual Fish

Brief Description:
Kawarigoi are koi that have been formally recognized and named but do not fit into any of the other categories.

Noteworthy:
The "catch-all" category for koi that don't fit in any other category. Formerly referred to as Kawarimono.

Varieties:
Goshiki, Kumonryu, Beni Kumonryu, Chagoi, Aka Muji, Karasu, Ochiba Shigura, Ki-Goi.