Japanese Singletails

[Tom Donald]

Koi lovers who also appreciate goldfish might not be aware of the level of sophistication in goldfish color and markings in Japan these days. I have some photos of Japanese singletails that readers of this board may find of interest. I'll break them down into four categories, starting first with the red/whites that koi fans might admire :yup:

Tom

[Terri]

I really like the 3rd and the 5th :) Yup, I could see those hanging out here - they are very similar to Wakin in body shape, pattern, and colour intensity.

[Tom Donald]

I was very impressed to see the quality of kohaku color and markings on Japanese goldfish (three step, four step and inazuma markings) :eeeeek: anyone ever see this level in North America?

Here's a few shubunkins that caught my eye:

Tom

[Jackie Ramo]

For one, I had no idea Japanese goldfish were so pretty. I'm with Terri on numbers 3 and 5 of the first set. I had a shubby years ago that looked like pic number 4 but the great blue heron got him

[Tom Donald]

The Japanese goldfish breeders are in the process of applying Koi color and markings onto their singletail goldfish, which intrugues me. The previous group are all of calico lineage whereas these are metallic origin. Some folks aren't necessarily taken with the dark colors at first glance, but I've found that in a pond, in full sunshine, these darker types are a very pleasant surprise when they rise to the surface, and greatly enhance viewing pleasure. The Japanese are masters of subtlety.

Tom

[Terri]

Tom, I like what the Japanese are doing with goldfish, I like Shubunkin with a clean look, not crazy about "speckles", #4 is very very nice! Mind you I'm not keen on the last set of fish (dark ones) mainly because of the body shape - "footballs" don't do much for me :grin:

[Tom Donald]

There's another group of Japanese singletails, the Sabao group. These goldfish were created by crossing a Syounai (pronounced Shonai I believe) with Ryukin. They are singletail, not double, and bred to do well at cold temps. The Sabao, first two photos, were the type from this cross with the low shoulder and longer body. The Tamasaba are the ones with the high shoulder and short deep body. They are relatively new to us westerners, but popular in Japan. They are a most interesting addition to the pond, perhaps the "football" shape takes a while to become familiar, but to me diversity of type in the pond adds to the viewing experience. These short body singletails are not often found in North America but in time they will be.

Tom

[Tom Donald]

There's also another interesting form of Japanese singletail, Yanagi Demekin. We ordinarily see all sorts of telescope goldfish in North America but rarely with a single tail. Once again, the Japanese goldfish breeders have recognized and developed beauty where others have my not have noticed.

Tom

[philly]

Yes, I'm with Terri on numbers 3 and 5 of the first set at a glance you will swear they look like butterfly's except for the 5th photo and the black ones the 1st looks like a koi the 2nd looks like the original black Moore. i would say they have come a long ways with the coloration's from when i use to raise goldfish in my earlier years.

[Tom Donald]

One more group to show the readers, this is a special form of Tamasaba called Fukudaruma, which translates as "happy doll" or something similar in Japanese. It is the roundest of the Sabao group, has short, medium and long tail, metallic and clear scales, and was developed over 30 years by Master Toshio Miyajima. At first glance we see Ryukin, but on closer inspection we see a cold water adapted singletail of high regard in Japan. Size of mature individual is impressively large.

Tom

[marla]

WOW the reds are so much nicer then what I have...those are some beauties. I love shubbies, and would like to get a few more, my 2 largest males, one blue, one red and my female (fully egg laiden) were taken by a heron also. This year DH got a couple more, but not near as nice as the ones we lost. The one shub in the 4th picture has a heart on it, I've never seen any with yellow before.

[Jackie Ramo]

Last few sets of pictures are what I don't like in goldfish. Colour me crazy but I don't like round fish with buggy eyes and small heads. The health problems of round bodied fish like this are enough reason not to breed them.

Just for the record I don't like fish with wen either. Each to their own but I can't even look at them in tanks, gives me the creeps.

[Tom Donald]

Here's a few examples of Japanese Shubunkins where colors are eliminated to create a new type.

Tom

[Tom Donald]

Here's a few examples of Japanese bred Bristol Shubunkins. The UK Bristol breeders aim for a set standard for this variety, whereas the Japanese seem to take a broader view of color appreciation. These five examples do not fully illustrate this point.

Tom

[marla]

Tom, the first group of Shubunkins are the shape I love especialy the tails, these are closer to what I have.....the last picture is a fish I would love to have. The second one has just a hint of red, I like that also. The second group have the shorter/rounder body not as appealing to me, the tails however are quite different then the shorter bodied shubs I've seen, larger and rounder.

[Tom Donald]

To me, it's all about understanding and appreciating the details of other cultures.

Goldfish and koi have been an integral part of Asian cultures for many many centuries, they invented this game. For the most part, what we have in our ponds and tanks is what they send us. The Asian breeders are masters at carp gene manipulation and what they produce and value allows us just a glimpse of how their society works. Our values may not be the same as theirs, but I think it's important that we appreciate the opportunity to understand and value all aspects of what is important to them.

Tom

[Koidaddy]

Howdy Tom, Welcome to KR!!
I must admit I'm enjoying reading your posts... they sure are adding color to the forum - Keep 'em comming.

KD
:grin:

[Peg]

Hi Tom , Welcome to the board.
Love to see all the different varieties of goldfish. I myself like the more original body style. The colors and patterns are great and if I had the room and could find these here I would have some for sure.

[annie]

Here's a few examples of Japanese bred Bristol Shubunkins. The UK Bristol breeders aim for a set standard for this variety, whereas the Japanese seem to take a broader view of color appreciation. These five examples do not fully illustrate this point.

Tom
I love those goldfish......I want some! :yup: Annie and all the critters on the farm!

[annie]

Koi lovers who also appreciate goldfish might not be aware of the level of sophistication in goldfish color and markings in Japan these days. I have some photos of Japanese singletails that readers of this board may find of interest. I'll break them down into four categories, starting first with the red/whites that koi fans might admire :yup:

Tom
My kind of fish!.....annie and all the critters on the farm!

[annie]

Here's a few examples of Japanese Shubunkins where colors are eliminated to create a new type.

Tom
I love the black and the black and white one....it is so nice to be kept up to date.......thank you......Annie and all the critters on the farm!

[philly]

Thanks Tom for the great photos / information and keeping us up to date on sophistication in goldfish color and markings in Japan.
:wave:

[Jackie Ramo]

I agree Thanks Tom, great education we are getting here.

[Tom Donald]

There's one more Japanese singletail that I wanted to show everyone, it's a newly developed form, similar to the Bristol but with longer fins and a squared off tail, called Aizu Jyokko. To me, this is an exceptionally elegant form of goldfish. Because it's new to the goldfish hobby, it's not yet well known, still being perfected and not yet showing all the color variations. I was so impressed to see yet another form of Japanese goldfish breeding mastery, had to save this gem for last. :-)

Tom

[philly]

Very nice photos, even though the fins are 2/3rd the lenght of the body they are very upright and not drooping over to the sides. Like you said they are exceptionally elegant gold fish, it will be nice to follow their progress.

[Tom Donald]

Anyone interested in Japanese goldfish videos, go to You Tube videos and type in Tamakin91. Goldfish photos are OK, but videos are much better if we can't have the real thing. Tamakin is a dedicated goldfish breeder, student of Master Toshio Miyajima, and my friend :) :)

Tom

[philly]

Tom Thanks for the info on gold fish videos will check them out later on.
:)

[Tom Donald]

Readers might be interested in the Japanese singletail Syunai, or Shonai, mentioned earlier as half of the original cross to make the Sabao group (Sabao, Tamasaba and Fukudaruma). This is a cold hardy singletail, at first glance we would call it a Comet. But apparantly it is not, I'm still trying to gather information on it but from what I understand so far, this is the original form from which others have derived. It is kept pure to this day only by a few breeders in the Yamagata region where it was developed. Deep red is one of the hallmarks of the breed and I think originally only on the upper half of the fish. I will eventually have more info on this, but in the meantime thought I would post the details I have, knowing there are keen singletail fans on this board. :yup:

Tom

[Tom Donald]

This is Sabao, cross of Shonai with Ryukin origianlly. Body type is a bit shorter, and a bit deeper than Shonai or Comet. I am trying to make this form by crossing Hibuna with Fantail, first generation cross growing now and starting to color, first ones to color look like yellows. :)

Tamakin has a video of Sabao on Youtube, check it out I think everyone here will like them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz5SvIAw8Yg&feature=channel

Tom