This Friday’s Nisai Release: Shinoda Hi Utsuri and a Closer Look at This Week’s Highlights

We’ve been busy cataloguing another selection of Japanese koi for release this Friday, 30th October, at 8pm. This week they’re all nisai, with a lovely group of Hi Utsuri from Shinoda, a mixed selection also predominantly from Shinoda, and metallic koi from Tanaka.

There are a few particular details I wanted to share with you ahead of the release, from the head patterns on the Hi Utsuri to some striking sumi banding on a Doitsu Showa and the scale arrangement on a real eye-catching Doitsu Platinum.

Shinoda Hi Utsuri — starting with the head pattern

With any Utsuri, my preference is always for a koi that starts with a good head pattern. It’s one of the first things I look at, and it makes a big difference to how the overall pattern comes together for me.

These Shinoda Hi Utsuri are a really good group. There’s plenty of choice in the balance of colour and black, with some carrying larger areas of sumi and others showing more of the red/orange ground colour. Each has its own character, and the head patterns are a good place to start when comparing them.

Have a look through the short bowl video below and see which head patterns catch your eye.

Watch Shinoda nisai Hi Utsuri bowl on YouTube

A Shinoda Doitsu Showa with striking sumi banding

Among the mixed selection, this Doitsu Showa from Shinoda deserves a closer look. The bold sumi banding is what really catches my eye, particularly the broad area of black behind the head and the way the black markings extend across the body.

The slow-motion clip gives you a closer view as we turn the koi, showing how those markings sit against the white skin and red pattern.

Watch Shinoda Doitsu Showa in slow motion on YouTube

Tanaka Doitsu Platinum — a real eye catcher

This Doitsu Platinum from Tanaka is another highlight for me. It has attractive lines of scales across its back and along both lateral lines, adding plenty of interest to its platinum-white appearance.

It’s a real eye catcher! Watch the slow-motion clip below, particularly as the koi turns, to get a better look at the scale arrangement along its back and sides.

Watch Tanaka Doitsu Platinum in slow motion on YouTube

A few more lovely Lemon Hariwake

We covered Lemon Hariwake in detail last week, but there are a few more lovely examples from Tanaka in this week’s release, including the Tancho Lemon Hariwake pictured in the bowl below. Look out for the lemon-yellow marking on the head.

The mixed bowl gives you a feel for the wider selection we’ve been working through, with some lovely contrasts in colour, pattern and scales.

Available this Friday at 8pm

The new koi will be available to buy online from 8pm on Friday, 30th October. Each will be individually listed with its own details, size and price, and sales are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free overwintering is available for individually listed koi until spring 2027. You can choose delivery now or spring delivery when ordering. If you already have a spring delivery booked with us, select the option to add your koi to that existing delivery.

We hope you enjoy this week’s selection. The individual listings will be available from 8pm on Friday.

Adam