Aug 19, 2026

What Type of Kohaku Do You Prefer? | This Week’s Koi Release

What Type of Kohaku Do You Prefer?

Kohaku is one of the simplest koi varieties in principle – a red pattern over white skin – but within that simplicity there can be a remarkable amount of variation.

This week’s online koi release gives us a particularly nice opportunity to compare three different expressions of Kohaku:

Normally scaled Kohaku, Doitsu Kohaku and Gin Rin Kohaku.

Each has the same fundamental red-and-white combination, but the different scale types can give the koi a very different character. So, before looking at individual patterns, we thought we’d ask a simple question...

Which type of Kohaku do you prefer?

Classic Kohaku – the traditional choice

Normally scaled Kohaku – often referred to as Wagoi Kohaku – are the classic expression of the variety.

The regular covering of scales adds texture and detail to the skin and, as the koi develops, can contribute greatly to the overall refinement of its appearance. The relationship between the scales, the white skin and the edges of the red pattern is one of the things that makes a really good traditional Kohaku so rewarding to study.

If you enjoy the classic, refined appearance of Kohaku, this may well be the type that catches your eye.

Doitsu Kohaku – clean and striking

Doitsu Kohaku have little or no regular scale covering, giving the skin a much smoother appearance.

That can make the contrast between the red and white feel especially clean and direct. Without the texture of a normal scale pattern, the design of the koi can become very prominent, giving some Doitsu Kohaku an almost graphic quality.

It is still unmistakably Kohaku – but the same sort of red-and-white pattern can give a surprisingly different impression on a Doitsu koi.

Gin Rin Kohaku – Kohaku with sparkle

Gin Rin Kohaku add another element altogether. Their reflective scales catch the light as the koi moves, adding sparkle over the familiar red-and-white Kohaku pattern.

Good Gin Rin can give a koi tremendous presence in the pond, particularly in sunlight, while still retaining the simplicity that makes Kohaku so appealing.

For some people that extra sparkle is irresistible; others prefer the quieter refinement of a traditional Kohaku. It is very much a matter of personal taste.

So, which would you choose?

Put the three types alongside one another and they are unmistakably all Kohaku – but each can have a very different character.

Do you prefer the traditional refinement of normally scaled Kohaku, the clean and striking appearance of Doitsu, or the extra sparkle of Gin Rin?

There is no right answer. One of the pleasures of keeping koi is developing your own eye and discovering the characteristics that you are naturally drawn towards.

If you’d like to explore Kohaku in more depth – including beni and white skin quality, kiwa, sashi, pattern styles and how Kohaku develop – take a look at our full guide:

Read our Kohaku Variety Guide »

A preview of this week’s release

Alongside the Kohaku featured above, we have more individual koi coming in this week’s online release.

Below are our preview bowls, giving you the opportunity to have a closer look through the koi ahead of Friday evening.

Individually Priced Koi Catalogue

Ready to take a closer look?

Below is the full catalogue for Friday night’s release, with each individual koi photographed and showing its price, size and reference number.

If something catches your eye in the preview bowls above, use the catalogue to find the individual koi and make a note of its reference ahead of the 8pm Friday release.