Showa

Before 1975, Showa were represented by the lineage of Kobayashi Showa. On the whole, these Showa had a lot of Sumi (black) and very little Shiroji (white). The Sumi and Hi (red) regularly overlapped each other. Because of the large amount of Sumi, the impression was of tremendous power. Some breeders were not satisfied with Kobayashi Showa, because they felt that the same Sumi that gave a feeling of power also lacked in beauty. This is why they developed the "new" or Kindai Showa. Kindai Showa are characterized by the separation of Hi and Sumi. They should harmonize to create a bright impression.

In Showa, the Sumi design of the tail section is important. At the tail section, Sumi or Hi must end on pure white background, and the line between the color and the Shiroji is called the Odome. The lack of real Shiroji after the Odome can be considerd a major fault. Sumi on the pectoral fins is a major attribute of Showa. Beautiful pectoral fins are extremely rare.

Because the face is the most appealing part of its beauty, it is important that the white, Sumi and Hi harmonize to create a beautiful design without interrupting each other.

The Sanshoku varieties have 3 colors: white, red, and black. 

There are two varieties “Taisho Sanshoku” and “Showa Sanshoku”. As the name “Sanshoku” signifies 3 colors in Japanese, both Sanshoku are tri-colored Koi. However, they needed to be distinguished because these 2 varieties had different pattern and background. Sanke do not usually have black on their heads.

It is recorded that the Showa Sanshoku was created by Shigekichi Hoshino in Takesawa village for the first time, and the Showa was developed from a lineage of Magoi (Black Koi). Both have a pattern that is composed by white, black, and red, but you can identify these 2 varieties if you see when they are baby fry,

The fry of Showa Sanshoku has black color on their bodies while the Taisho Sanshoku are born with pinkish colored bodies. If you mate two Showa, you get almost 70% of pink fry and only 30% of black fry. Koi fish produce 400,000 of fry at one spawning, and pink fry become Kohaku and black fry become Showa. This is the hardest part of Showa breeders because to sort out 400k fish, it requires so much patience and concentration.

Showa Koi, or Showa Sanshoku, are a type of koi with a distinctive three-color pattern. They are named after the Showa era in Japan and are characterized by their striking black base color with white and red markings. Here’s a breakdown of their common pattern traits:

1. Black (Sumi) Base

• The black color is the foundational element of a Showa.
• Ideally, the black should be deep and jet-black, forming bold patterns.

2. Red (Hi) Markings

• The red markings are typically bright and well-defined.
• These can appear as large patches or smaller, scattered patterns.
• Balanced hi across the body is desirable, ensuring it does not overwhelm or get overshadowed by the black.

3. White (Shiroji) Patterns

• The white areas should be clear and luminous, contrasting sharply against the black and red.
• Ideally, the white should extend from the head to the tail, balancing the other colors.

Head Patterns

• The head should have all three colors present for an ideal Showa. This differentiates Showa from Sanke, which may lack black on the head.
• A balanced and symmetrical pattern on the head enhances the koi’s overall appearance.

Sumi Placement

• The placement of sumi is essential; it should create bold and attractive patterns.
• Ideally, the black should appear in balanced patches rather than smudges or disconnected spots.

Modern Showa vs. Traditional Showa

• Modern Showa: Have more vibrant and refined coloration, with more emphasis on balanced red and white to create an appealing look.
• Traditional Showa: Tend to have more extensive black patterns with simpler red and white details.

Pattern Variations

• Menware: A classic Showa feature where black splits the face vertically, resembling a lightning bolt or line down the middle.
• Motoguro: Black markings on the pectoral fins, which enhance the appearance of symmetry.
• Hachiware: A black pattern that appears like a cap on the head.

Showa koi patterns are celebrated for their dramatic contrast and the interplay between the three colors, making them striking additions to any koi pond.