Midwest Pond and Koi Society - Sources for the Curious

Reprinted with permission from Water Gardening Magazine

Sources for the Curious Koi Enthusiast

by Bob Brudd

Curious as it may seem, I came to develop my passion for koi as a result of a good friend lending me a copy of James Clavell's Shogun to read. Set in medieval Japan, complete with Samurai who practiced Buddhism, the book captured my attention and instilled a burning desire to learn more about Japanese culture. Years later I was checking out the weekend section of the Chicago Tribune and stumbled across a blurb announcing a pond walk that featured not only Japanese influenced settings, but water features populated by Japanese koi fish. I had no clue as to what any of these were, but the Japanese part of it grabbed my attention.

That was ten years ago and I've since traveled to Japan on six occasions, five of them to study and purchase koi for my own pond. Back in the early 90's, however, learning about koi was much more difficult than it is now. The hobby was very new in our country, and what few books there were in English had to be imported from England or Japan. Then there was also the challenge of trying to find someone who had them for sale.

Back then I wanted to learn everything I could about these beautiful fish, but like everyone else with the same desire, I was thwarted by the unavailability of information. Now, with the growth of the hobby, the advent of the internet and the ease of access to it, and the ease of globalized travel, all kinds of information is out there for those with the passion for more knowledge about koi and koi keeping. Ten years ago, the list of available information would fit into a paragraph: what follows is the highlights of what has become a plethora of koi related information.

Recommended Books

A decade ago, the first two books I tried to acquire were Modern Nishikigoi and Manual to Nishikigoi, by Dr. Takeo Kuroki, the father of organized koi. Without this man's efforts to structure the koi hobby in Japan, the odds are that we'd all have fish other than koi in our ponds. As a result of establishing the methodology and criteria for judging, collectors of koi created a market for them, which in turn induced families that had produced rice for generations to switch over to the production of koi. Competition amongst both hobbyists and fish farmers led to bigger and better koi and to a growth in the number of varieties that continues to this day. His two books outlined the standards for appreciating and evaluating koi that are still in place today, and although the photos are now dated, the information they contain serves as the building blocks for all that has followed.
Source: http://www.pondshop.com

In 2000, Kate McGill, a respected BKKS (British Koi Keepers Society) judge from England, published a wonderful book filled with a plethora of high quality koi photos and excellent information explaining all of the variations and classifications of each variety. Koi Appreciation, the first step, is a fitting sequel to Dr. Kuroki's early 80's texts. During that almost twenty year gap, koi varieties increased and overall quality and size improved greatly. Ms. McGill's book does a superb job of explaining all of the traits and characteristics that contribute to what koi fanciers refer to as a fish's "quality."
Source: Amazon.com

In 2002, yet another fine volume of koi information came to the forefront. Written by longtime Japanese koi dealer, Momaru Kodama, Kokugyo is a boxed set containing not only a wonderfully photographed book, but a separate glossary of Japanese terminology, a Q & A pamphlet, and a cd-rom of do-it-at-home judging exercises geared to helping you develop a better eye for good koi. Written from a dealer's perspective, Kodama's book uses photos of top award winning Japanese koi to illustrate the finer points of evaluating and buying koi. The book's forward was written by Dr. Kuroki, just before his death.
Source: http://japankoionline.com/

Once we get our fish, it is important to care for them properly. Of all the books out there that deal with koi husbandry and health, my favorite is Advanced Koi Care, by Nicholas Saint-Erne, DVM. Although the book's title suggests otherwise, this is a text that the average person can follow and use quite easily. The topics covered include water quality and feeding issues, identification of parasites and diseases, pond maintenance, disease prevention and a formulary section that takes you through all the chemical/medicinal treatments you may someday have to consider using on your pond or fish. The information is excellent and the instructions easy to follow.
Source: http://www.koi.com

Recommended Periodicals

KOI USA, published by the Associated KOI Clubs of America (AKCA) is a bi-monthly publication that focuses on all aspects of ponding and koi husbandry. Articles cover a wide range of topics including pond design and installation, filtration, fish selection and care, fish health, koi show results from around the country, plants for water gardeners, koi varieties, etc. Each issue features an article wherein three certified AKCA judges evaluate and rank six koi, which is a great way to test your own skills while at the same time learning more about a particular variety. This publication also highlights a huge listing of affiliated koi clubs representing every corner of the country. Joining a club is a great way to learn more about the hobby from experienced hobbyists. Finally, there is also an annual buyers guide that is massive in scope.
Web site: http://www.akca.org/

Koi Bito is published by Brian Sousa, an American businessman who both speaks fluent Japanese and lives/works in Japan. His passion for koi has inspired him to travel all over Japan to visit a wide variety of koi breeders at their facilities for the purpose of taking photographs and conducting in-depth interviews with these artists who use living creatures as their medium. Because of his fluency in their native language, his articles often provide the kinds of insights not often seen in other publications.
Source: http://www.koi-bito.com/

Koi Keepers Magazine, launched in March, 2003, is the latest intermediate to advanced level koi mag to hit the scene. This publication features high quality photos printed on fine quality paper, in-depth articles about Japanese breeders, hobbyist ponds, koi varieties, and interviews with a variety of koi experts.
Source: http://koikeepersmagazine.com

Nishikigoi International, published in England by Nigel Caddock, is the oldest periodical to focus on koi only. In many ways, it has set the bar by which other koi magazines are judged. Most issues feature at least one article by Peter Waddington, a well known British koi dealer, as well as informative stories by well known and highly respected hobbyists from both the UK and the US. This periodical has done much to bring the expertise of Japanese breeders to the rest of the world.
Source: http://www.koimag.com

Koi Carp Magazine: Another British publication, this one is usually available at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble Book Store. This is the UK's equivalent of our country's KOI USA, and it describes itself as, "the world's best selling koi magazine." Again, the spectrum of articles covers everything form koi appreciation to water gardening advice, but with a uniquely British spin on things. I can't begin to describe the size of the pond hobby and industry in England, but I'd venture to say that there's more koi per capita in the UK than any other place in the world outside of Japan itself.
Source: http://www.koi-carp.com/