The Olympic Stage for Living Jewels
At the 2024 All Japan Koi Show in Tokyo, a single Kohaku named "Sakura Mirai" sold for ¥230 million ($1.6M) after winning Grand Champion – not for its size or age, but because its pattern scored 97.8/100 under Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) standards. This is the high-stakes world where millimeters of scale alignment determine fortunes.
Global Competition Landscape:
| Event | Scale | Key Criteria | Top Prize Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Japan Show | 18,000 koi | Pattern Perfection | $1M+ bloodlines |
| ZNA World Cup | 42 countries | Balance & Grace | Global breeding rights |
| Bristol Show (UK) | 5,000 entries | Skin Quality | £500K+ valuation |
| Aquarama (SG) | Hybrid focus | Innovation | $300K export contracts |
Chapter 1: The Judging Trinity - Body, Pattern, Quality
The 50-30-20 Sacred Ratio
**BODY (50%)**
├─ Conformation: Torpedo silhouette
├─ Bone Structure: Spinal straightness
├─ Muscle Tone: Swimming power
└─ Size Potential: Growth promise
**PATTERN (30%)**
├─ Hi (Red) Distribution
├─ Shiroji (White) Placement
└─ Balance & Flow
**QUALITY (20%)**
├─ Skin Luster
├─ Scale Uniformity
└─ Color Depth Anatomy of Perfection:
https://example.com/koi-scoring-chart.png
Ideal proportions: Head 20% • Body 60% • Tail 20%
Chapter 2: Variety-Specific DNA - Scoring Nuances
Kohaku: The White Canvas Masters
Pattern Deductions:
graph TD
A[Pattern Fault] --> B[Hi touches head]
A --> C[Hi wraps tail tube]
A --> D[Ashi marks >2 scales]
A --> E[Shiroji <70% coverage]Skin Grading:
- Hanatsuki Skin: Cherry-blossom pink → +5 pts
- Yellowing Shiroji: Instant disqualification
Showa: The Black Armor Warriors
Motoguro Mandate:
- Pectoral fin joints must be solid black
- Allowed: Sumi (black) on head
- Forbidden: Sumi-only tail
Pattern Flow:
"Sumi should frame Hi like lacquerware" - Master Judge Hiro Tanaka
Chapter 3: The Color Chemistry Lab
Hi (Red) Spectral Analysis
| Grade | Wavelength | Metal Content | Premium Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beni | 610-650nm | Medium iron | Standard |
| Hi | 650-700nm | High copper | +15% value |
| Blood Hi | 700-750nm | Rare earth minerals | +300% value |
Testing Protocol:
- Spectrometer at 45° angle under 6500K lights
- Must maintain hue across scales
Shiroji (White) Purity Index
Deduction Matrix:
| Fault | Point Loss | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow tint | 0.5/cm² | Bilirubin buildup |
| Blue cast | 0.3/cm² | Water quality issues |
| Cloudiness | 1.0/cm² | Mucus overproduction |
Chapter 4: The Scale Matrix - Microscopic Perfection
Daiwa vs. Small Scale Genetics:
**LARGE SCALES**
✓ Preferred in Kohaku
✓ Reflect light dramatically
✗ Prone to damage
**SMALL SCALES**
✓ Preferred in Ginrin
✓ Better pattern definition
✗ Less flash Alignment Scoring:
- Perfect Row: +2 pts per uninterrupted line
- Misalignment: -0.5 pt per 1mm deviation
- Missing Scale: -3 pts (disqualifies champions)
Chapter 5: Movement & Presence - The 10% X-Factor
Swimming Dynamics Test:
1. **Acceleration:** 0-1m/s in <3 seconds
2. **Stability:** No body roll at 30° turns
3. **Posture:** Dorsal fin remains 85-90° vertical Behavior Penalties:
- Flashing (rubbing tank walls): -15 pts
- Surface gulping: -10 pts
The Charisma Factor:
"A champion owns the water like a samurai owns the battlefield" - ZNA Rule 9.3
Chapter 6: Age Classes - Different Rules for Different Pools
Tosai (1 Year) Expectations:
- Pattern promise > current perfection
- 60% score weight on future potential
- Size tolerance: ±3cm from class average
Nisai (2 Year) Non-Negotiables:
- Pattern must be 80% developed
- Skin quality locked in
- Size minimums enforced strictly
Omosako (6+ Years) Grandmaster Standards:
- Absolute pattern completion
- Scale integrity paramount
- Swimming efficiency critical
Chapter 7: The Deduction Bible - 107 Ways to Lose
Most Costly Mistakes:
| Fault | Avg. Point Loss | % of Disqualified Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Split Hi | 8.2 | 32% |
| Scale Damage | 12.7 | 41% |
| Uneven Fins | 6.9 | 28% |
| Color Bleed | 15.3 | 19% |
| Bent Pectorals | 9.4 | 63% |
Controversial Calls:
- "Natural Mark vs. Defect" debates (e.g. unique sumi spot)
- Size vs. Quality tradeoffs in jumbo classes
Chapter 8: Judging Protocol - Sacred Rituals
The 7-Step Assessment:
graph LR
A[Top View] --> B[Pattern Balance]
B --> C[Side Profile]
C --> D[Swimming Test]
D --> E[Color Verification]
E --> F[Scale Inspection]
F --> G[Fin Alignment]
G --> H[Final Scoring]Time Allocation:
- Tosai: 45 seconds
- Nisai: 90 seconds
- Omosako: 3 minutes
Taboo Practices:
- No touching fish
- No feeding during judging
- Absolute silence in hall
Chapter 9: Global Standards Clash
ZNKK vs. AJKS vs. IAKSA:
| Criterion | ZNKK (Japan) | AJKS (US) | IAKSA (Int'l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size Weight | 20% | 30% | 25% |
| Innovation | -5% penalty | +10% bonus | Neutral |
| Ginrin Sparkle | 15% deduction if >50% | 20% bonus | 10% bonus |
| Doitsu (Scaleless) | Separate class | Judged together | Separate class |
Cultural Divide:
- Japanese value subtlety
- Westerners prefer bold patterns
- Southeast Asia prizes metallic hybrids
Chapter 10: The Future of Judging - AI vs. Human Eye
Tokyo Tech's KoiVision AI:
- 98.7% accuracy scoring Kohaku patterns
- 0.02mm scale defect detection
- 3D swimming gait analysis
Controversy:
- Traditionalists protest "soulless assessment"
- Breeders fear algorithm-driven homogenization
Hybrid Solution:
- AI preliminary screening
- Human judges final deliberation
The Unwritten Rules
Master breeder Kenji Yamamoto's advice:
"Judges reward fish that make their hearts beat faster. Technical perfection is just the ticket to enter."
Last Grand Champion's Stats:
Name: "Hikari Sanka"
Variety: Kohaku
Age: 4 years
Length: 82 cm
Body Score: 49/50
Pattern: 29.5/30
Quality: 19.8/20
X-Factor: 9.5/10
TOTAL: 97.8/100 Appendices
① Deduction Calculator Tool
② Global Show Calendar
③ Bloodline Decoder
