Sanke History + Breeder Reference
The Sanke Sanshoku was the second of the major Koi developed by Japanese breeders. In fact the term Nishikigoi was first used to describe the Sanke Sanshoku. Later this term was applied to all Koi because it distinguished or separated the modern Koi from the common magoi or carp. Like gold fish and other animals have evolved from sub species and mutations so to have Koi developed to another level apart. The British use the term colored carp when referring to Koi which I think is inappropriate because it over simplifies and devalues the efforts by so many breeders over the past 300 years. The Japanese call them Koi or Nishikigoi. The Sanke is a white fish with red and black markings on top unlike the showa which is a black fish with white and red surface patterns.
According to historians the origins of the modern Sanke began during the middle of the Meiji period around the early 1900s. The Taisho sanke or Sanke Sanshoku was first bred by Elzeburo Hoshino of Takezawa in the Ojiya region of Niigata prefecture. Before the earthquake in November of 2003 we lived in Takazawa and before our familiarty with its residents know that many of the people there are related to Elizaburo Hoshino but most of them with a few exceptions are breeding other varieties of Koi because the Sanke is the most difficult fish of all to breed. It is not easy to hide any flaws as is with the Showa and other types is the most difficult fish of all to breed. It is not easy to hide any flaws as is with the Showa and other types and unlike the Kohaku with two colors the Sanke has three. The taisho Sanke must have red over the shoulder. I tis more desirable if the colors are venly balanced. The sumi is even more preferred if it appears on the white (tsubosumi)not only on the beni.
Down the road from Takazawa about three miles as the crwflies is Mushigami which is now the home of many Sanke breeders. The most famous of all of them is Matsunosuke. Toshiyuki Sakae inherited his business from his father. Not renowned at the time, it was to him and his brother Toshi of Izawa to earn the stature they now command. We have know the Sakai family for many years and have witnessed now the passing of this Koi dynasty on to a third generation of Toshiyuki-sans son Toshiaki who now runs the breeding program. Toshiyuki Matsunosuke was one of a few breeders that pioneered the larger and massive size Koi by breeding back into the magoi or common carp enabling him to achieve the conformation and size we all appreciate today. He has the distict honor of winning Grand Champion, the most coveted trophy in Japan at the All Japan Combined Shinkokai show on three occasions 1994, 1995 and in 2002.
Matsunosuke also breeds excellent Kohaku and along with his brother Toshi with whom he collaborates with, superb Showa and Shiro Utsuri.
Characteristics of Matsunosuke Sanke are their quality and massive size. They are slender and females look like males until they begin to mature in 4 years when they advance in groth as much as in lengh thereafter. The beni of his Sankes beocmes deep crimson and lustrious as they mature. The sume surface gradually, usually in the tail area first until it is black as India in. No other breeder produces a better softer white with which to background both colors. He is extermely proud of the durability or lasting condition of his fish. The Grand Champion of the 1994, All Japan show was more than 20 years old, The 1995 Champion 15 and the 2002 Champion 9 years old. I know of no other breeders that can match this achievement. Judge this against fish that are winning at 6-7 years old. Where will they be at in 20 years? He said that his Sankes still remain their beauty and value for after others have faded away and are no longer competitive. I believe he is right. That is why we represent Matsunosuke in our collection
|
