Japanese Koi Terms Defined
Color Patterns Classified by Japanese Names
- Ai - blue
- Aka - red
- Bu - size classification
- Budo - purple
- Cha - brown
- Doitsu - German scale, these are either completely
scaleless or have rows of large scales along the dorsal and
lateral lines
- Gin - silver
- Hi - red
- Kana - male koi
- Ki - yellow
- Kin - gold
- Mena - female koi
- Midori - green
- Nezu - gray
- Orenji - orange
- Shiro - white
- Sumi - black
- Tategoi - small koi with potential
Color Patterns Classified by Japanese Names
Koi can be found in just about any combination of colors. While
the average koi keeper simply seeks out the koi that they are
most attracted to, many hobbyists seek out specific color patterns.
These many color patterns are classified by Japanese names. This
list gives some of the more notable patterns.
- Asagi - body has blue-gray reticulated scales
with a red underside and red in the pectoral fins. The head
should be an unblemished pale blue.
- Bekko - koi with red, yellow, or white background
with black spots running down the back.
- Goshiki - literally meaning five colors (white,
red, black, blue, and dark blue.) Usually a white body with
blue reticulated scales which is overlain with a pattern similar
to a kohaku or sanke.
- Hariwake - platinum body with patterns of
orange or yellow.
- Kawairmono - this is a term for recognized
patterns that do not fall under one of the major pattern types.
- Kohaku - white body with patterns of red
- Koromo - white body with blue or black pinecone
scales over red patterns
- Kumonryu - doitsu koi, white body with patterns
of black
- Matsuba - pinecone pattern over whole body
- Ogon - solid color koi
- Sanke - white body with patterns of red and
black, there can be no black on the head.
- Showa - black body with patterns of white
and red
- Shusui - doitsu koi, white body with blue
scales along dorsal line and a red underside
- Tancho - solid white body with a red circle
on the head.
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