Welcome to Koi Oriental
Koi Oriental provides a service to all who have an interest in koi carp and offers a valuable koi resource to all, whether experts or newcomers to the koi carp hobby.
The keeping of Nishikigoi has never been an isolated hobby as it has always been associated with Asia and most particularly of course, Japan. For this reason there has always been a strong relationship with the Japanese style, bringing in the art of bonsai and the presentation of the koi pond using the principle of Japanese garden design. Koi Oriental’s extensive and diverse reach covers Japanese and oriental style in and out of the home, strongly centred on an appreciation of the koi carp and the koi image.
Read more about our aims and ideas...
New 12th December 2007! Read the article A Place in Time, kindly supplied by David Burgess, Jade Pavilions.
Articles
Koi Oriental are pleased to offer a range of articles, many written by leading experts in their field.
Bonsai
Graham Potter
For some truly articulate bonsai humour and some useful information, try these articles written by Graham Potter of Kaizenbonsai.com
The things we do.
The things we do for bonsai. A sting in the tail!
Barman! A pint of your finest please, if you please
A certain spin on the feeding of bonsai trees.
Life is a game
The search for the finished bonsai. Surely a bonsai is never finished ! Mr Teruhiko Ota, one of Japans last surviving Khumoso monks once said " Practice for its own sake, let progress take care of itself. Do not corrupt the beauty of learning by becoming attached to an end goal".
Time for a new approach? Thoughts on our first faltering steps into bonsai
Make the best of opportunities available to you. Compared to trees our time on earth is relatively short. Don't spend time on pointless quests, select your trees carefully and invest effort where it will give the greatest rewards. Learn from those with experience.
Tree Lore - Putting the Finger on History
An interesting discussion about the English Yew tree, The French and the historical origin of common phrases and gestures.
Daddy....?
Children, guaranteed to bring us back to reality when obssessing about our hobbies.
And now for something completely different!
People can be a little strange sometimes, put politely.
Harry Harrington
The following articles were wrtiten by Harry Harrington. This information is extremely helpful for beginners starting out in the world of bonsai.
Starting out in bonsai
Bonsai basics, essential information to put you on the right path. It's not as hard as you might think.
Feeding bonsai
Nutritional requirements of bonsai trees and how to deliver everything that your trees need.
Winter care for bonsai
How to get your trees successfully through winter. Their trip into dormancy and an awakening in spring.
Wiring bonsai
An article describing all the important aspects about wiring your bonsai trees
Species guides - Tree selection.
The following guide covers a large range of coniferous and broadleaved, evergreen and deciduous trees that have the potential (to one degree or another) for use as bonsai.
The history of bonsai
The koi carp is a graceful fish with an interesting history that is often best displayed in a natural setting. The Japanese garden style is often used as the basis for this presentation. It is simply true that the koi carp and Japan (and historically the orient) have a strong intrinsic association. It is interesting however, that although considered leaders both in the art of bonsai and in the breeding of koi, Japan is more responsible for the development and commercialisation of both hobbies than their creation. The historical path leads clearly from China. In any case a comfortable three-way association between the koi pond, bonsai and the Japanese style garden exists in many gardens throughout the world. This article describes the history of the origin and development of the art of bonsai.
Japanese Gardens
Glossary of Japanese terms, names and references used on Koi Oriental.
A list explaining more about the Japanese terms or places mentioned on Koi Oriental. A number of links also offer information on Japan's historical timeline. Very interesting reading if you have a few hours to spare.
Koi
Deron Simons
These articles are written by Deron Simons of the Koi Waterlife Centre. Deron has been involved with koi for over sixteen years, thirteen in association with The Koi Waterlife Centre. Deron makes three or four visits to Japan each year and as a consequence has now spent more than one year of his life in the country, visiting koi farms and buying koi
Tategoi
If you translate Tategoi from Japanese to English there is not a single word that can explain its meaning, it is a number of words all rolled into one but the basic gist is 'a koi that is showing signs of top potential for the future'.
Regions of Japan
Although Niigata (Northern Japan) is considered as the birthplace of koi, Southern Japan has much to offer with respect to growing quality koi carp.
Mr Mamoru Kodama
These articles were written by Mr Mamoru Kodama, Founder & Chairman of Miyoshiike Co., Ltd. As a Koi expert as well as the owner of Miyoshiike, he has been invited as a lecturer several times by international Koi clubs such as United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand etc. His approach to Koi beauty inspires and enlightens many Koi hobbyists and dealers around the world. He was also a guest speaker of AKCA seminar 2002, Concord, California. His profound knowledge and expertise is now compiled in a book under the title of "Kokugyo." The book is available at Japankoionline.com.
Dainichi Koi Farm - Creators of Beautiful Nishikigoi
The lineages and specific chatacteristics of Dainichi koi.
Hoshikin Koi Farm - Hoshikin Kohaku
A less well known breeder of Kohaku with an excellent and traceable history.
Igarashi Koi Farm - Kin Kikokuryu
Located deep in the mountains is the Igarashi koi farm. Mr Seiki Igarashi created the Kin Kikokuryu. This is an article about his achievement.
Isa Koi Farm - Isa Showa
Mr Kodama interviews Mr Isa about the secrets of his koi.
Kajigane Koi Farm
Yamamatsu Koi Farm
The History of Nishikigoi
The koi carp is a graceful fish with an interesting history that is often best displayed in a natural setting. The Japanese garden style is often used as the basis for this presentation. It is simply true that the koi carp and Japan (and historically the Orient) have a strong intrinsic association. It is interesting however, that although considered leaders both in the art of bonsai and in the breeding of koi, Japan is more responsible for the development and commercialisation of both hobbies than their creation. The historical path leads clearly from China. In any case a comfortable three-way association between the koi pond, bonsai and the Japanese style garden exists in many gardens throughout the world. This article describes the highlights of the history of origin and development of Nishikigoi. Article coming soon.
Moving koi - Important considerations and actions
An article discussing the importance of quarantine and the effect of a change in water chemistry on koi after a move to a new pond. An essential read for anyone buying koi carp from Koi Oriental?s private koi sales page.
So you want to keep koi. The basics.
A short article focusing on the very basic key information about the needs of the koi carp.
So you want to keep koi - A guide to water quality and more.
If you are new to the hobby or if you just fancy some interesting reading, this article will serve to give an insight into some important considerations before you start to design your koi pond. This article contains a depth of information that may not be right for everyone. If you would prefer to start with a more general, less detailed overview, please see 'So you want to keep koi. The basics'.
An introduction to the microbial world
From bacteria and the early physicians, to the pond, food and essential life relationships. An overview of the discovery of bacteria and other microorganisms with a focus on the nitrifiers Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
Koi Keeping around the world - The Koi Hotels of Singapore
This article gives an insight into koi keeping in the unique Singaporean style.
Plants which should be considered as having potential to cause harm to fish
This is a list of plants that may be poisonous or toxic to fish. The list has been assembled over the years from various sources and should be considered as a guide rather than a definitive reference. Some care should be taken if you have any of these plants near your pond. Article coming soon.
Veterinary support recommended reading list
We have a range of articles as part of the recommended reading list from Koi Oriental's supporting Veterinary Surgeon Chris Walster. Please visit the Veterinary support page to view these articles.