THE KOI CARP: A LIVING JEWEL OF JAPAN

Among the best known and most appreciated fish throughout Japan and beyond there are certainly the Nishikigoi, better known by the name of koi carp . Their extraordinary beauty and their enviable colors have fascinated the Japanese people for many years but today, also thanks to their peaceful and friendly nature, they have also conquered the rest of the world!

A white and red specimen of koi carp © Karatemania

Koi carp were introduced to Japan from China thousands of years ago, under the name Magoi and were rather black and uniform in color. Initially they were used both as a source of food and to clean stagnant water which, due to the large quantity of larvae and insects they generated, could have contaminated the crops. For this utility, the Japanese began a real breeding of common carp until, around 1820, the breeders of the Niigata prefecture noticed the appearance of some colored spots on the back of some specimens .

The evolution of koi carp © Pinterest

After multiple experiments on the hybridization of fish, a real genetic mutation of the animal occurred which, at that point, became the colorful and singular specimen we know today. The name given to it, Nishikigoi, derives from the Japanese word nishiki which traditionally means "beautiful, elegant things". The reason is easily deduced by observing the koi carp swimming: elegance and sinuosity fully describe its graceful movements . These specimens, in fact, are often described as "swimming flowers" or "living jewels", due to their extraordinary beauty comparable to a work of art.

A group of koi swim elegantly in a pond © Unsplash

These colorful fish, in addition to their incredible aesthetic beauty, are also famous for their multiple spiritual and symbolic meanings . Koi carp are known first and foremost for their courage and resilient spirit : regardless of the difficulty of the challenges, in fact, they face dangers head on with tenacity and perseverance. In Japanese culture these fish are compared for their courage to Samurai warriors, who embody the supreme symbol of strength and dedication.

A traditional Japanese samurai © Unsplash

It is then believed that koi fish bring luck and prosperity into the lives of people who touch them and that, in general, the symbols and representations of carp bring positive energies into one's life, which is why they are very often represented in various tattoos, in culture Japanese and more! Even the colors of each fish have their own specific symbolic meaning : a carp with a white body with red spots, for example, symbolizes success at work, while the gold color represents wealth in life.

Koi carp of all colors © Unsplash

Koi carp are also known for their desire to stand out: creative self-expression and individuality are characteristics that distinguish them. In fact, as proof of their uniqueness, no two koi carp are alike in the world! But these magical specimens are also a strong symbol of friendship and love : they often swim in pairs or in huge groups, having other fish around seems to amuse them and incredibly they also look better when they are together with others.

A particular anecdote has led koi carp to even be associated with longevity : not everyone knows that this species can live up to 50 years or more, but the carp that broke every age record is Hanako, a Japanese specimen that lived until 1977, boasting 226 years! Simply put, the long history, beauty and fighting nature of koi have led this fish to symbolize almost everything positive in life !

Hanako, the longest-lived koi carp in history © Times Now

Many festivals and celebrations can only be dedicated to these very important fish: every year, on the occasion of Kodomo No Hi ("Children's Day"), you can see huge colored flags of koi fish waving in the air. These flags, known as koinobori , are hung by the families of male children as a wish that they grow up physically and spiritually healthy, emulating the values ​​and qualities of the carp.

Koinobori flags displayed during Kodomo No Hi © LearnJapanese123

There are also regular competitions to name the best koi carp in the area: the annual All Japan Koi Show which takes place in Tokyo is one of these! This large and prestigious show brings together judges and buyers from all over the world to choose the most beautiful carp in all of Japan . The main requirements are healthy looking skin, size, body shape and the grace with which the fish moves in the water. But the most important trait of all is coloration: the best koi must have a good balance of colors based on their variety . The winning breeder gains not only enormous personal satisfaction, but also an invaluable reputation in the koi community!

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