The history of Koi is as mysterious as they are beautiful. Popular
conviction would have us believe that Koi are indigenous to Japan. In fact,
they are even mistakenly called “Japanese Goldfish”
Just for the record“What is the difference between goldfish
and Koi?“ Goldfish and Koi are both selections of carp, but from two
different families. Goldfish are mutations from Crucian Carp (Carassius
carassius) and Koi are from common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
So if they did
not originally come from Japan, where then? They are believed to originate
from eastern Asia, in the Black, Caspian, Aral Seas and China. Carp fossils
have been discovered in South China dating as far back as 20 million years
ago. Some varieties are known for their hardiness, which records claim can
live for long periods of time if simply wrapped in wet moss continuously
kept damp.
The earliest written records of Koi, or Nishikigoi, (Japanese for "brocaded"
carp) were first described in writing from a Chinese book written during the
Western Chin Dynasty, around 265-316 A.D. At that time they were described
as white, red, black and blue.
Koi are believed to have been introduced to Japan with the invading Chinese
and a first account of them being kept by an emperor in Japan, apparently
dates Back to AD 200.
Not
much is known, or has been recorded, as to what happened to Koi between the
2nd to the 17th century and it is still a mystery, but many suspect Koi
gradually spread through the orient, possibly by way of trade caravans to
and from the middle east.
From this time the history of Koi moves forward to the 17th century, when
rice farmers of Yamakoshigo, a village in the Niigata prefecture on the
northwestern coast of mainland Japan, started raising magoi (black carp) to
supplement their winter diet. They raised these carp in the ponds they used
to grow their rice paddies.
About 200 years ago, one of the farmers noticed a carp with some red color.
Color mutations began to appear between 1804 and 1830 with red, white, and
light yellow becoming the first colors to appear. (Perhaps the first Kohaku
and Ogon) Some of the farmers started separating the fish that had different
coloration's, and breeding them together. By the late 1880s modern day color
patterns were fixed and the hobby of Koi breeding and collecting began in
earnest.
The interest in this pastime grew and more color variations were developed.
It wasn't until 1914 that some of the most beautiful varieties were shown at
an exposition in Tokyo. Some of these colored carp were presented to Crown
Prince Hirohito.
Today Koi are bred in every country and considered to be the most popular
fresh-water ornamental pond fish. Nishikigoi is now called "living jewel" "Kokugyo"
and "king of ornamental fish." Nishikigoi represents Japanese culture. It is
also loved and appreciated by the name of "Koi" all over the world.
So if they did
not originally come from Japan, where then? They are believed to originate
from eastern Asia, in the Black, Caspian, Aral Seas and China. Carp fossils
have been discovered in South China dating as far back as 20 million years
ago. Some varieties are known for their hardiness, which records claim can
live for long periods of time if simply wrapped in wet moss continuously
kept damp.
Not
much is known, or has been recorded, as to what happened to Koi between the
2nd to the 17th century and it is still a mystery, but many suspect Koi
gradually spread through the orient, possibly by way of trade caravans to
and from the middle east.