Seven Koi from Japan — Selected for Quality and Value
On my recent trip to Japan, I selected a wide range of koi across different price points.
The seven koi below are part of that group.
Each one stood out — whether in pattern, body, or overall balance. Just as importantly, they were fish I was able to secure at a level where they still represent strong value, even at the upper end of the price range we typically offer at Byer Koi Farm.
It’s not difficult in Japan to find expensive koi. There are plenty of fish available at very high prices.
What is more difficult — and where the real judgement comes in — is identifying koi with higher-grade attributes, but without them being priced into that top bracket.
That balance is where the best value in koi is usually found.
These are koi for those who prioritise quality — sometimes choosing to keep fewer fish, but better ones.
All seven are now available on the website.
Seven koi that met a higher bar — selected in Japan for their quality, balance, and value
47cm Showa (Sekiguchi) Nisai — £1,595
I selected this koi for it's skin quality, the lovely fukurin and well-balanced pattern. The sumi is consolidated, with good placement through the shoulder and onto the body. A female nisai, which I selected from Sekiguchi's individually priced pond.
51cm Doitsu Showa (Koda) Sansai — £895
A clean Doitsu frame with strong contrast between beni and sumi. The fish has a refined, modern feel. I selected this koi because it's a good example of quality at a sensible price point.
51cm Showa (Koshiji) Sansai — £1,295
A well-structured Showa - I selected this for it's balanced distribution of all three colours. The beni is consistent, and the sumi is developing in the right areas. A fish that feels complete, but with further upside to come.
52cm Shiro Utsuri (Koshiji) Sansai — £995
A striking Shiro with strong contrast and clean white ground. The skin and white ground stood out for me, differentiating this koi from the other sansai examples available.. The sumi pattern has impact without feeling heavy, and the overall balance works well. Strong frame too, so should grow well.
52cm Showa (Koshiji) Sansai — £1,295
A broader-bodied Showa with good volume and strong skin quality. The pattern carries well from head to tail, and the sumi on the white shoulder, creating the offset pattern was a key reason for me selecting this koi. That sumi pattern, being repeated by the pair of sumi bands wrapping around the koi adjacent to the dorsal fin, adds structure without overwhelming the beni.
53cm Showa (Koshiji) Sansai — £995
A slightly more open pattern gives this fish a different feel within the group. Good skin and size, and notably, a Koshiji sansai female Showa secured at a level that allows us to offer it under £1k.
59cm Tancho Kujaku (Koda) Sansai — £895
A distinctive fish, combining a Tancho head marking with a high-quality Kujaku body. The lustre is strong, and the matsuba is particularly well defined — a level you would normally expect to see at a much higher price point.
The compromise here is in the Tancho marking, which would benefit from being slightly larger and more central.
I selected this koi for the strength of its skin and the quality of the matsuba. Those attributes alone make it very good value for a fish of this size and type.
