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’.

The word to make note of in this translation is the word potential, just because a koi is labelled ‘Tategoi’ it does not guarantee future greatness. As the koi grows the chances of a Tategoi fulfilling its potential becomes greater, afterall; three-year-old (sansai) Tategoi still has potential to maybe improve further but has already fulfilled quite a lot. Let me try and explain it by starting with Tategoi Tosai (one-year-old koi).

The koi above at 1year old (tosai) are shown in the photographs below at 3 years old (sansai).

Small Tategoi Tosai (under 25cm) are probably the hardest to select but usually the most available. The reason for this is that every breeder has to grow on many small koi to Nisai, as it is not possible to ascertain whether they are male or female at this young age. Therein lies their dilemma, they only want females to grow on (unless for broodstock) but have to select the koi purely on the basis of quality and pattern and hope they are picking a high percentage of females while doing so. One other thing to remember when looking at Tosai whether they are Tategoi or not, is pay very little attention to body shape as this, like the gender of the koi is unpredictable at this stage of their development. (more…)