Koi Glossary

Japanese to English Koi Glossary

When learning about a new hobby or topic, it is beneficial to fully understand the vernacular.  Vernacular is a fancy word for language, or the terminology surrounding a specific topic.

In the case of Koi, many of the phrases and terminology have roots in Japan.  This makes it both interesting to learn, and also for a non Japanese speaking person, often difficult.

To make this hobby more enjoyable, here is a glossary with quite a few of the major terms used in the Koi hobby.  Please bookmark this page as a reference.


— A —

Ago Sumi (ah-go sue-me) = Sumi (black) on gills

Ai (eye) = Blue or Indigo color

Aigoromo (eye-go-ROW-mow) = A Goromo Koi with blue or indigo reticulation

Ai Showa (eye show-wah) = A Showa Koi with blue or indigo speckles

Aizumi (eye-Zoo-me) = Blue sumi tinged with indigo

Aka (Ah-Kah) = Red body

Aka Bekko (AH-kah BECK-koh) = Red Koi with black markings

Aka hana (AH-kah HAH-nah) = Red nose

Aka Hajiro (AH-ka ha-JEE-row) Red Koi with white tips to the pectoral and caudal fins

Akamuji or Aka Muji (AH-kah-MOO-jee) = Light red Koi

Akame (a-kah-may) = Red Eye with a red iris

Aka Matsuba (AH-kah maht-SOO-bah) = Red Koi with a black ‘pine-cone’ pattern in the scales along the back

Aka Sanke (AH-kah SAHN-keh) = Hi (red) covers almost entire head and body

Akebi (ah-KEH-bee) = light blue

Albino (Al-BY-no) = A genetic anomaly (lack of pigment) usually demonstrated by red eyes

Ami (ah-ME) = Net

Amime (ah-ME-meh) = Mesh or ‘eyes’ of scales in a net pattern

Aragoke (ah-rah-GO-keh) = Large armor scales

Arashi Kumo(ah-RAH-shee KOO-moh) = “Storm Clouds”. This term describes a “storm cloud” like black pattern. It is a mix of sumi, kage sumi (shadow) and white that all work together to create the “storm cloud” effect.

Asagi (ah-SAH-gee) = A gray-blue reticulated scaled Koi with hi (red) along the lateral lines, cheeks and in the fins

Asagi Hi (ah-SAH-gee HEE) = Secondary, undesirable hi (red) appearing as freckles below the lateral line

Asagi Magoi (ah-SAH-gee MAH-goy) = Early ancestor of the modern Asagi

Atama ga hageru (ah-TAH-mah gah HAH-geh-roo) Clearness of head, clean, clear head

Atama (ah-TAH-mah) = Head crown

Ato (AH-toh) = Late-appearing (i.e. referring to sumi; ato sumi)

— B —

Bekko(BEH-koh) = Single solid color of white, red or yellow Koi with black markings

Beni (ben-ee) = Deep solid red

Beni Kujaku (BEN-ee koo-JAH-koo) = Orange-red Kujaku with red markings all over the body

Benigoi (ben-ee-goy) = non metallic red Koi, resembling Akamuji but with a deeper red coloration

Beni Kumonryu (BEN-ee koo-mahn-droo) = Kumonryu with red markings

Beret Hi (BEH-reh HEE) = symmetrical head hi (red) on one side only

Beta-gin (BEH-tah deen) = finest type of Kin-gin-rin (gin rin), where the whole surface of each scale sparkles

Bire (BEE-reh) = ‘Fire’, a name used for the specific red patterning on Asagi and Shusui

Boke (BOH-kee) = Undeveloped Showa sumi

Boke Showa (BOH-kee SHOW-wah) = popular form of Showa, with blurred, grayish sumi – netting sumi

Bongiri(Bohn-GEE-ree) = Head hi does not come far enough towards the nose

Bozu (boh-ZOO) = No hi on the head, bald head

Bu (boo) = Size division

Budo (BOO-doh) = Arrangement of colored scales resembling a bunch of grapes

Budo Goromo (BOO-doh go-ROW-mow) = Koi with a purplish, grape like pattern or patterns on its white body

Budo Sanke (BOO-doh-SAHN-keh) = Koi with a pattern resembling that of Budo Goromo combined with solid black markings

Bunka Sanke (BOON-ka SAHN-keh) = blue Sanke with shiny pectoral fins, Seen only as a baby Koi

— C —

Cha (chah) = Brown

Chagoi (CHAH-goy) = Non metallic light brown Koi, the “friendly” “calm” Koi

Chigyo (CHEEG-yoh) = Un-culled Unsorted fry

Chupa (CHOO-pah) = Medium quality fish.

Caudal fin (KAH-dal) = Tail fin

— D —

Dagoi (DAH-goy) = Poor quality fish

Dainichi (dye-NEE-chee) = Famous Go-Sanke lineage of Koi

Dangara (dahn-GAH-rah) = stepped pattern on the body of a Koi, also known as Danmoyo

Danmoyo (dahn-MOW-yow) = Step pattern

Doh (doh) = Trunk, or body

Doh Hi (doh-hee) = Hi on the body

Doh Zumi (doh zoo-mee) = Sumi on the body.

Doitsu(DOYT-zoo) = German Koi that are not fully scaled, usually with a row of scales along each lateral line and a row on either side of the dorsal fin

Doitsu Kujaku(DOYT-zoo koo-JAH-koo) = platinum Koi with red markings over its body and black markings in the scales along the dorsal and lateral lines only

Doitsu Yamato Nishiki (DOYT-zoo YAH-mah-toh nee-SHEE-kee) A scaleless metallic Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke). Also known as Heisie Nishiki (Hay say nee SHEE kee)

Doitsu Yotsushiro (DOYT-zoo YOT-soo-SHEE-roh) = Origin of Kumonryu; Yotsa means 4, Shiro means white. Doitsu Yotsushiro is a Doitsu Koi with 4 patches of white: nose, tail, and both pectoral fins

Do Zumi (doh ZOO-mee) = Sumi on the body

Doware (dohn-WAH-reh) = Large white area of a pattern.

— E —

Enyu (EHN-yoo) = doitsu Koi with a white body and red markings whose mirror scales are platinum; pale blue speckles may be interspersed within the red and white color of the dorsal surface.

Etsu No Hisoku (EHT-zoo noh hee-ZOH-koo) = doitsu yellow-green Koi.

— F —

Fucarin (FOO-kah-reen) = The area of skin around the smaller scales of good metallic Koi. The smaller the scales, the greater the luster.

Fuji (FOO-jee) = The almost metallic finish on the head of some young non metallic Koi

Fukurin (FOO-koo-reen) = Mesh pattern or reticulated effect (vignette) involving scales and skin

— G —

Gaku Hi (GAH-koo hee) = Red on upper part of face (forehead).

Giku(GEE-koo) = Relates to the swimming mode of a Koi with a deformed body

Gin (geen) = Shiny, reflective, silver metallic.

Gin Bekko (GEEN BEH-koo) = Basically a metallic Shiro Bekko.

Gin Kabuto (GEEN kah-BOO-tow) = Black Koi whose scales have silver edges.

Gin Matsuba (GEEN maht-ZOO-bah) = Metallic silver Koi with a black ‘pine cone’ (matsuba) pattern in the scales.

Gin Shiro (GEEN SHEE-row) = Metallic Shiro Utsuri

Gin Showa (GEEN SHOW-wah) = Metallic Showa with a silver luster

Ginbo (GEEN-bow) = black Koi with a silver metallic sheen.

Ginga (GEEN-gah) = Metallic Koi with black and white markings. A cross breed of a Hajiro Kawarimono with a Platinum Ogon

Ginrin or Gin Rin – (geen-deen) = The more commonly used term for Kinginrin, referring to sparkling scale types

Ginsui (GEEN-swee) = Metallic Shusui with a silver luster

Go bu (goh boo) = Size five

Godan Kohaku(GOH-dahn koh-HAH-koo) = white Koi with a five step hi pattern

Godan (GOH-dahn) = Five step pattern

Goi (goy) = Fish

Goke (GOH-keh) = Fish scales

Goma (GOH-mah) = Sesame’ or scattered sumi

Gosai (GOH-sigh) = 5 year old Koi

Gosanke (goh-SAHN-keh)= term that refers collectively to the ‘Big three’ of Koi keeping: Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa

Goshiki (goh-SHEE-kee) = five colored Koi, on which white, red, black, and light and dark blue are mixed to give a purplish appearance. Scale reticulation on the red and white, or on the white only

Goshiki Shusui(goh-SHEE-kee SHOO-swee) = Doitsu, non metallic blue Goshiki.

Gotenzakura (goh-tehn-ZAH-koo-rah) = Cherry pattern

Gotenzakura Kohaku (go-tehn-ZAH-koo-rah koh-HAH-koo) A cherry blossom patterned Kohaku with many hi patches

— H —

Hachi (HAH-chee) = Head

Hachi Hi (HAH-chee hee) = Early ancestor of the modern Kohaku

Hachiware (HAH-chee-WAH-reh) = Lightning stripe head pattern

Hachizumi (HAH-chee-ZOO-mee) = Black pattern that runs diagonally across the head.

Hada (hah-dah) = Sheen

Hageru(HAH-geh-roo) = No blurring on the head (relates to metallic varieties particularly)

Hageshiro (HAH-geh-SHEE-row) = Black Koi with white on the head and on the tail and pectoral fin tips

Hajiro (hah-GEE-row) = black Koi with white on the tail and pectoral fin tips

Haka Shita (HAH-kah SHEE-tah) = Sagging abdomen

Hanatsuki (hah-NAHT-SOO-kee) = Head hi extends down the nose.

Hanazumi (hah-NAH-ZOO-mee) = black pattern (or spot) around or near the mouth and nose area.

Hana Shusui (hahNAH SHOO-swee) = form of Shusui, also known as a flowery Shusui with round red markings on the sides (between the back scales and the lateral line) instead of parallel the ‘line patches’ down the sides or regular Shusui.

Hara (hah-RAH) = Abdominal area.

Hariwake (HAH-ree-WAH-keh) = Koi with two colors, one of which is platinum, the other metallic orange or yellow, double metallic cross breeding.

Hariwake Matsuba (HAH-ree-WAH-keh maht-SOO-bah) = silver and yellow metallic Koi with a black “pine cone” pattern in its scales

Heisei Nishiki (HAY-say nee-SHEE-kee) = Doitsu Yamato Nishiki. A metallic, scaleless Sanke

Hi (HEE) = General term for red

Hiagari (hi-GAH-ree) = Intensity of the red color

Hiban (hee-BAHN) = Red pattern element or red area

Hi Asagi(hee ah-SAH-gee) = Asagi whose red marking extends over the lateral line

Hi Showa (hee SHOW-wah) = predominantly red Showa

Hi Shusui (hee SHOO-swee) = Shusui whose red pattern spreads up from the belly and covers the back

Hi Botan (hee BOW-tahn) = Koi resembling Bekko, derived from Utsuri lineage

Higoi (HEE-goy) = Red Koi, usually called Akamuji (light red) or Benigoi (deep red)

Hikari (hee-KAH ree) = Metallic

Hikari Utsurimono (hee KAH-ree oot-SOO-ree-MOH-noh) = Metallic Utsuri and Showa

Hikarimono (hee-KAH-ree-MOH-noh) = Shining ones, the metallic groups

Hikarimoyo (hee-KAH-ree-MOH-yoh) = Multicolored ‘white-based’ metallic Koi

Hikari-moyomono(hee-KAH-ree MOH-yoh-MOH-noh) = classification including all metallic Koi with two or more colors, except metallic Utsuri and Showa

Hikarimuji (hee-KAH-ree-MOO-gee) = Single colored metallic Koi, with or without scale reticulation

Himozumi (hee-moh-ZOO-mee) = String-like, thin sumi pattern

Hinomaru (hee-noh-MAH-roo) = Sun rising

Hirenaga Koi (hee-reh-NAH-gah Koi) = Long-finned or butterfly Koi

Hiroshima Kinginrin (hee-ROH-shee-mah keen-geen-deen) = Kin Gin Rin as ‘cracked glass’ or diamond gin rin. Scales have bright lines running across them

Hisoku (hee-SOH-koo) = Yellow-green color

Hoaka (hoh-AH-kah) = Hi over the gill plate

Hon sumi(hohn SOO-mee) = ‘Genuine sumi’, referring to the black Sanke markings on a Koromo Sanke

Hoshi (HOH-shee) = Opening or window within the pattern

Hookazuki (hoo-kah-ZOO-kee) = black carp with red cheeks. An early ancestor of the modern Kohaku

— I —

Ichi bu (EE-chee boo) = Size one

Ichimatsu (EE-chee-maht-soo) = Checkered pattern

Inazuma (EE-nah-ZOO-mah) = Lighting-stripe pattern (zig-zag)

Ippon hi(EE-pohn-HEE) = Straight hi, renzokumoyo, continuous from head to tail

Iro (EE-row) = Color

Iroagari (EE-row-ah-GAH-ree) = The degree of color intensity

Iroage (EE-row-ah-GEH) = The act of intensifying the various colors

Iromono (EE-row-MOH-noh) = The collective name for all metallic Koi

— J —

Jari (JAH-ree) = Gravel

Jarisumi (JAH-ree-SOO-mee) = Small black sumi spots

Jihada (gee-HAH-dah) = Texture of the Koi’s skin

Jinbei (geen-BYE) = Sanke line of Koi

Juji (GOO-gee) = Cross shape

Junidaira Showa (GOON-ee-dye-rah SHOW-wah) = Very old Showa line

Jyami (JAH-mee) = Shorter word for Jarisumi

— K —

Kabuto (kah-BOO-toh) = Translates to ‘helmet’, referring to a Koi whose head color is different from that of its body.

Kagami (kah-GAH-mee) = old Koi variety with mirror scales on both the dorsal and ventral sides.

Kage (KAH-geh) = Shadow

Kakutan (kah-KOO-tahn) = Square-shaped Tancho marking

Kamisori (kah-MEE-soh-ree) = Razor border, pattern that cuts across the scale

Kanako (Kah-nah-koh) = Koi with a white body and dappled hi, appearing on single scales

Kana (KAH-nah) = Male Koi

Kao(KAH-oh)= ‘Face’; any area between the cheeks (also known as ‘men’)

Karasu (KAH-rah-soo) = totally black Koi, often tinged with a blue haze

Karasugoi (KAH-rah-SOO-goy) = ‘Crow’ Koi; black Koi from the Asagi line

Kasane Sumi (KAH-sah-neh-SOO-mee) = black marking on a red background

Katamoyo (KAH-tah-MOH-yoh) = Single sided pattern

Kata Zumi (KAH-tah ZOO-mee) = Sumi patch or patchtes on the shoulders

Kawagoi (KAH-wah-goy) = Koi with no scales except for some reflective scales on the dorsal surface

Kawarimono (kah-WAH-ree-MOH-noh) = non-metallic Koi that don’t fit into any other classification. The old name for Koi with undefined color or pattern

Kawarigoi (kah-WAH-ree-goy) = new name for Kawarimono Koi, covering all Koi varieties that do not fall under established mainstream Koi classifications

Ki (kee) = yellow

Ki Kokuryu (KEE koh-KOO-droo) = Metallic Kumonryu ‘Chrysanthemum water’

Kigoi (KEE-goy) = Yellow Koi, often having red eyes (albino line)

Kikusui (KEE-koo-swee) = Metallic doitsu Hariwake Ogon – most often seen as a doitsu Kohaku

Kin (keen) = metallic gold

Kindai (keen-DYE) = Modern

Kinitsusei (KEE-neet-SOO-say) = Uniformity of color

King Gin Rin (keen geen deen) = also known as Gin Rin (geen deen) – a Koi with silver- or gold-colored sparkling scales

Kin Ki Utsuri (KEEN kee OOT-soo-ree) = Metallic black Koi with gold markings where the gold can range in color from yellow to red

Kin Showa (KEEN SHOW-wah) = Metallic Showa Koi

Kinporai (KEEN-por-ey) = bronze metallic Matsuba Ogon

Kinrin (Keen-deen) = Koi with gold-colored sparkling scales

Kinsui (KEEN-swee) = Metallic Shusui with more hi

Kinzakura (KEEN-zah-KOO-rah) = Golden cherries; gold-bordered hi

Kirekomi (KEE-reh-KOH-mee) = Narrow white inserts into the hi rising from the sides of the Koi.

Kiwa (KEE-wah) = The edge of a patch or marking

Koborehi (koh-BOH-reh-HEE) = Scattered hi (red)

Koboresumi (koh-BOH-reh-SOO-mee) = Scattered sumi (black)

Kohaku (koh-HAH-koo) = Koi with a white body and red markings. The first Koi in the “Big Three” class of Koi

Koi-dangi (koy-dahn-gee) = Japanese term for Koi enthusiasts “talking about Koi”

Koishi (koy-shee) = Nishikigoi breeders

Koke (KOH-keh) = Scale

Kokenami (KOH-keh-NAH-mee) = Line of scales

Kokesuki (KOH-keh-SOO-kee) = Uneven color within the pattern; single colorless scales

Komoyo (koh-MOH-yoy) = Small zigzag, flowery pattern of red and white

Konjo (KAHN-joh) = Dark blue

Konzai(kahn-ZYE) = Kiwa having both maruzome and kamisori elements

Koromo (koh-ROH-moh) = ‘robed’, referring to a Koi that has a white base color, overlaid by red patterns with reticulation. A Koi show class including Ai -Goromo, Sumi Goromo, Budo Sanke, Goshiki, Koromo Sanke and Koromo Showa

Koromozumi (koh-ROH-moh-ZOO-mee) = Sumi Goromo netted sumi

Kozumi (koh-ZOO-mee) = Small black spots

Koshi (KOH-shee) = green

Kuchi (KOO-chee) = Lips, a general term.

Kuchibeni (KOO-chee-BEN-eee) = red-lipped Koi

Kuchi Zumi (KOO-chee ZOO-mee) = Sumi on the mouth

Kujaku (koo-JAH-koo) = ‘peacock’, referring to a reticulated metallic white Koi with red, orange or golden markings

Kumonryu (KOO-mahn-droo) = a black Doitsu Koi with random white patterns that change continuously until mature. Scale-less black Koi with white markings

Kumoru (KOO-morh-uuu) = Loss of color, brightness, and gloss

Kuragake (KOO-rah-GAH-keh) = Wearing a saddle; a pattern that crosses the back of the Koi like a saddle on a horse

Kuro (KOO-roh) = Black

Kurogoi (KOO-roh-goy) = Black food carp – the origin of Nishikigoi

Kurozumi (KOO-roh-ZOO-mee) = Rich, glossy black with no blue highlights

Kutsubera (KOO-tsoo-beh-RAH) = Shoehorn pattern on the head

— M —

Mado (MAH-doh) = ‘window’ in a pattern element involving more than 1 or 2 scales

Madoaki (MAH-doh-AH-kee) = ‘window’ in a red pattern

Magoi (MAH-goy) = Mud carp, originally wild carp

Makiagari (MAH-kee-ah-GAH-ree) = pattern extending from the abdomen to the upper area

Makikomi(MAH-kee-KOH-mee) = pattern extending from the upper area to the abdomen

Maruten (MOH-roo-ten) = separate, self contained hi pattern on the head with other hi patterns on the body; i.e. Maruten Kohaku

Maruzome (MOH-ruu-ZOH-meh) = Rounded, scalloped kiwa. The pattern follows the scale edges

Matsuba (maht-Sue-bah) = ‘Pine-Cone’ scale pattern; single color Koi (metallic or non-metallic) with scale reticulation

Matsukawabake (maht-Sue-kah-wah-BAHK-keh) = Scale version of the Kumonryu. A black and white Koi where the pattern transposes over time – i.e. summer and winter, although periods may be longer

Men (mehn) = ‘Face’; also kao

Menkaburi (MEHN-kah-BOO-ree) = Hi (red) covering the entire face/head – from the mouth to the gills

Menware (MEHN-wah-reh) = Lighting-strip across the head

Midorigoi (mee-DOH-ree-goy) = green doitsu Koi

Mizu (MEE-zoo) = Light blue color

Mono (MOH-noh) = One or single

Motoaka (MOH-toh-AH-kah) = Red pectoral fin joints

Motoguro (MOH-toh-GOO-roh) = Black fin joints

Moyo (MOH-yoh) = More than one color

Moyo no kire (MOH-yoh noh KEy-ray) = Sharpness of edge of the color pattern

Mudagoke (MOO-dah-GOH-keh) = Redundant scale – one out of line on a doitsu

Muji (MOO-gee) = Single solid color

Mura (MOO-rah) = state in which color is lacking uniformity

Murasakigoi (MOO-rah-sah-KEE-goy) = purple/lavender colored Koi

— N —

Nabe sumi (NAH-beh SUE-mee) = Soft gray/brown sumi from the original Tetsu Magoi line

Nagaremoyo (nah-GAH-reh-MOH-yoh) = Streaming hi pattern

Namikin (nah-MEE-keen) = Tail Fin

Namitate (nah-MEE-tah-teh) = Dorasl Fin

Narumi Asagi (nah-ROO-mee ah-SAH-gee) = Medium blue colored Asagi (traditionally blue-dyed cotton cloth). Lighter than Konjo Asagi and darker that Mizu Asagi

Nesai(NEH-say) = Over 1 year, and up to 2 years old – referring to Koi age

Nezu (NEH-zoo) = Gray color

Nezu Ogan (NEH-zoo OH-gahn) = Gray metallic scaled Koi

Ni Bu (nee BOO) = Size two

Niban (nee-BAHN) = Secondary

Niban Hi (nee-BAHN HEE) = Secondary hi, also called Asagi hi

Nidan (nee-DAHN) 2 step – as in “2-Step Kohaku” – same as “Nidan Kohaku”

Nidan hara (neeDAHN HAH-rah) = Concave abdomen

Nidan Kohaku (nee-DAHN koh-HAH-koo) = Kohaku with 2 steps of hi

Nishikigoi (nee-SHEE-key-goy) = ‘Jewelled’ carp – English term “Koi” is an abbreviation of Nishikigoi

Nosezumi (NOH-she-ZOO-mee) = sumi (black) overlapping a hi (red) pattern

— O —

Ochibashigure (oh-CHEE-bah-she-GOO-ray) = ‘Autumn leaves on the water’; a nezu (gray) Koi with one or more cha (brown) patterns

Odome (oh-DAH-may) = Last marking before the tail

Ogon (OH-gahn) = Collective name for metallic Koi

Oiya (OYE-yah) = Parent

Oiyagoi (OYE-yah-goy) = Koi brood-stock – parent Koi

Ojime (oh-GEE-may) = Gap between the last pattern marking and the tail

Omoyo (oh-MOH-yoh) = Single pattern – deep wrapping pattern

Orenji (oh-REHN-gee) = Orange color

Oyugu Hoseki (oh-YOO-goo hoh-SHE-key) = Living Jewels

Ozuke (oh-ZOO-key) = The base of the tail

Ozutsu (oh-ZOOT-sue) = Body area behind the dorsal fin

— P —

Penducle (pen-DOOK-leh) = Area just before the tail

Pongoi (POHN-goy) = Good quality fish

Purachina (poo-RAH-chee-nah) = Platinum

Renzokumoyo (REHN-zoh-KOO-moh-yoh) = Continous pattern

— R —

Rin (deen) = ‘scales’. Rin is not used as a single word, it is only used in conjunction with other descriptive words such as Gin; as in Gin Rin to describe silver metallic scales

Roku bu (ROH-koo boo) = Size 6

— S —

Sabi (SAH-bee) = Appearance of depth to the skin of scaled Koi

San bu (SAHN boo) = Size 3

Sandan(SAHN-dahn) 3-step pattern; as in Sandan Kohaku (3-Step Kohaku)

Sanke (SAHN-keh) = ‘White-based’ Koi with hi and sumi patterns (red and black)

Sanke Sumi (SAHN-keh Sue-mee) = Black typically found in small well defined patches over the body of the Koi, but not on the head. ‘Leopard-spot’ pattern. Also occurs on Bekko

Sansai (SAHN-sigh) Over 2, and up to 3 years old – referring to Koi age.

Sarasa (sah-RAH-sah) = Pattern of birds, flowers, and geometric patterns. Another term for ‘longfin’

Sashi (SAH-shee) = Blurring of the leading edge of a pattern, seen on scaled Koi

Sashikomi (SAH-she-KOH-me) = Scales covering the front edge of the pattern

Shiki bu (SHE-key boo) = Size 7

Shimi (SHE-me) = Very small black speckles, or dots, no larger than a single scale

Shiro (SHE-row) = White

Shirogoi (SHE-row-goy) = White Koi

Shiroji (she-ROW-gee) = White area

Shiromuji (SHE-row-MOO-gee) = Koi varieties who’s color disappeared and ‘turned white’

Shitsu (SHEET-sue) = nature of skin – including shiroji, hi, sumi, etc

Shochikubai (shoh-CHEE-koo-bye) = Metallic Ai-Goromo

Showa (SHOW-wah) = 3 colored Koi, black with red and white. The last of the Go-Sanke Class of Koi (The Big Three Koi) of Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa. Showa exhibit sumi in stripes or bands (similar to Utsuri), as opposed to Sanke which show sumi in spots. Showa also have sumi on the head, Sanke does not

Showa Sumi (SHOW-wah-Sue-me) = type of black pattern found in stripes and bands all over a Koi – including the head. Similar to ‘Tiger Stipes’. Showa sumi also occurs on Utsuri

Shusui (SHOE-swee) = ai (blue) Doitsu Koi with hi (red) markings usually on the sides of the body and the head

Sokozumi (SO-koo-ZOO-me) = Black that is faintly visible

Sorogoi (SO-roe-goi) = Gray Koi

Sumi (SUE-me) = Black marking

Sumi Goromo (SUE-me go-ROE-moe) = White Koi with red patterns overlaid by black reticulation

Suminagashi (Sue-me-nah-GAH-she) = black Koi with white scale reticulation

— T —

Taikei (tye-KAY) = Conformation of the body

Taisho Sanke(TYE-show SAHN-key) 3 colored Koi; shiro (white) body with hi (red) and sumi (black) markings – commonly referred to as ‘Sanke’. Unlike Showa, Sanke never have sumi on the head, and Sanke’s body sumi appears in patches, or spots – not in bands or stripes like that of the Showa. The Sanke is the second Koi in the Go-Sanke Class of Koi that is known as ‘The Big Three’

Tancho (TAN-show) = Koi with a single hi spot on the head only

Tategoi (TAH-the-goy) = Koi that posses potential for the future

Tebire (tay-BE-ray) = Pectoral fin

Tejima (tay-GE-ma) = Sumi stripes in the fins

Teri (TAY-ree) = Gloss or luster

Tetsu Magoi (TEHT-sue-MAH-goy) = Predecessor of Showa, Chagoi and Ogon lTezumi (the-ZOO-me) = Another term for sumi stripes in the fins

Tobi hi (TOE-be-HE) = Very small hi (red) spots

Tora Ogon (TOE-rah-OH-gahn) = Metallic Ki Bekko (yellow and black)

Tosai (TOE0-sigh) = In its 1st year – referring to Koi age

Tsubaki Sanke(tsue-BAH-key-SAHN-kay) = Aka Sanke (all red) with a chain of sumi (black) running the entire length of the Koi

Tsubo sumi (TSUE-bow SUE-me) = Black pattern over white skin

Tsuya (TSUE-ya) = Another term for ‘luster’

— U —

Umebachi(OO-may-BAH-chee) = Japanese apricot flower-shaped marking; i.e. Tancho spot

Uroko kiwi (oo-ROW-koh KEY wee) = Scalloped kiwa (see maruzome)

Urushizumi (oo ROO-she-ZOO-me) = Jet-black, glossy sumi (black) with a tinge of ai (blue) – also known as tsuyazumi

Utsuri (oot-SUE-ree) = ‘Reflections’ or ‘relecting ones’. A two colored Koi – always a black Koi with one other color; white, red, or yellow patches or bands. Shiro Utsuri, Hi Utsuri, and Ki Utsuri

Utsurimono (oot-SUE-ree-MOE-no) = Formal name for Utsuri

Unwappi (oon-WAH-pee) = Thin hi (red)

— W —

Wabi (WAH-bee) = Appearance of depth to the skin of scaled Koi

Wagoi (WAH-goy) = Scaled Koi – virtually all Koi except Doitsu

— Y —

Yamabuki(YAH-mah-BOO-key) = Bright gold color, as in Yamabuki Ogon

Yamatonishiki (YAH-mah-toe-nee-SHE-key) = Metallic Sanke

Yogyo (YO-Gee-yo) = Young fish

Yon bu (YON-boo) = Size 4

Yondan (YON-don) = 4 Step; as in Yondan Kohaku (4-Step Kohaku)

Yonsai (YON-say) = 4 year old Koi

Yoroigoi (your- ee-goy) = Koi with large armor scales all over its body

Yotsushiro – (YAHT-sue–SHE-roe) = Black Koi with white on the tail, pectoral fins, dorsal fin, and head

— Z —

Zubonhaki (ZOO-bahn-HA-key) = latter half of the body (the tail end) is completely red or black

Zukinkaburi (zoo-KEEN-kah-boo-ree) = Red forehead