Japanese Koi Fish

In this second of a two part series the process of Koi judging and the awards system will be examined. Part one looked at other aspects of Koi shows, their history, style and entry requirements.

Introducing - Koi Judges

Koi judges originate from all walks of life. The only common denominators are those which unite the majority of Koi hobbyists world-wide; a very sincere love of Koi and a very real dedication to spend all the time it takes to improve knowledge of them. An interesting question is, however:

"Why would anyone want to become a Koi judge?"

My fellow judges have cited many reasons, probably important to most. Judging Koi offers the opportunity of taking your hobby into a new dimension, the chance to view magnificent Koi, be involved with shows all over the UK and for some judges, in other countries also. The opportunity to learn a lot more about Koi appreciation, meeting new people, making new Koi friends, teaching others what you have learned and giving back time and effort to a hobby which has given you so much.

Anyone interested can consider becoming a Koi judge, although some study is necessary. You must be aware of basic Koi appreciation techniques, Koi classification and the show rules and guidelines, because, as a trainee judge at a show, you need to be familiar with the show and judging processes and be able to recognise Koi in a particular size and variety quickly. Time spent as a volunteer at Koi shows is a very valuable initial training ground for any potential Koi judge, especially on the benching team, who process the Koi entries into their respective classes (see part 1).

Steps in Becoming a Koi Judge in the UK

• Apply, in writing, to the Trainee Liaison Officer of the British Koi Keepers Society (BKKS) Judging Standards Committee (JSC). Entry seminars are currently held in the spring, usually March or April. JSC officers are posted on the BKKS web-site. To apply, you must be available for most weekends during the summer (May to October) and either able to drive, or have assured transport.

• Make sure you are familiar with BKKS show rules and guidelines, Koi classification and appreciation. Books will be recommended for study.

• Attend a JSC trainee seminar. Three tests of your ability are made at this event. A written paper, covering many aspects of the topics listed above, is followed by a test on Koi classification skills using 30 Koi slides. Finally, a Koi judging exercise is carried out using 20 - 25 groups of three slides of Koi. All tests are assessed. On the following day, a practical session is held with live Koi, which is for training purposes.

• If you pass the seminar, you will be assigned at least five shows that summer as a first year trainee judge and gain practical experience of judging on the show ground with as many different full judges as it is possible to allocate. All full judges submit a report on your performance to the Trainee Liaison Officer after each show. Discussion of performance between full judges and trainees on the day is always encouraged.

• Your performance will be fully assessed each year at the JSC Annual meeting. Generally two to four years are required before trainees are promoted to full judge status. During you time as a trainee, you are expected to re-sit and pass the seminar each year. Occasionally, if judging performance is poor and fails to improve during the training period, a trainee will be asked to leave the programme.

• After a trainee qualifies as a full judge, a probationary period also must be served to make sure that the newly created judge is capable of working with a team, interacting with the show committee successfully and can demonstrate teaching and leadership skills.

The BKKS offers one of the most comprehensive judge training programmes anywhere in the world and elements from it have been incorporated into training for judges in both America and South Africa. A very high standard has always been sought for JSC members. Trainees and full judges alike must constantly work hard to create, maintain and extend their knowledge and skills, since Koi and how they are appreciated are not static subjects. Kenichi Kizawa (ZNA Vice Chairman 1996) expresses this superbly:

"In order to recognised as a certified judge, a person must spend a good number of years studying all aspects of the subject and gaining experience... A judge needs to have the kind of knowledge that is the result of long years of toil and care; it is not something that can be picked up overnight... A judge must have a healthy appetite for study... A person who is granted the honourable title of certified judge must maintain his high standard in perpetuity..."

The Judging Process

The basic Koi judging process is the same, regardless of where in the world it is carried out. Koi in each defined show variety and size (see part 1) are compared using five criteria:

• Overall shape and proportion of head, body and finnage (conformation).

• The quality of the skin (its lustre, smoothness, soft appearance etc.)

• Characteristics important to individual varieties, for example the sharpness of the vignette ('pine cone', two colour effect over each scale area) on an Asagi (light/dark reticulated blue Koi with red markings) or Matsuba (white, yellow or red Koi with a black vignette).

• Quality of colour (for example, depth and homogeneity), pattern (for example, how well it fits the Koi), pattern edges (for example sharpness of the trailing edge - kiwa) and balance of the pattern (side to side and head to tail).

• The impact a Koi creates; which essentially involves how all the above points work together, plus how a Koi holds itself, its deportment.

(These appreciation standards have been examined in detail for each show variety in another 'All About' series)

Decisions are usually consensus amongst full judges, although a team always has a named lead or head judge, if a casting vote becomes necessary. Trainees are usually asked for their reasoned decisions first and the Koi involved discussed if time allows - an important part of the training process. For major awards, voting may be by secret ballot, although there is no specific rule.

Winning Koi (in each size and variety), according to the above appreciation standards, go forward to a second round of judging which compares all first round variety winners within each size group. This means (for example) the best size three Kohaku, Sanke, Utsurimono, Koromo, Tancho, Hikarimoyo etc. are judged against each other. Again, the best 'fit' to appreciation standards is looked for. The winner of this round is called 'Best in Size'. A third round is for selection of the major show awards from Best in Size winners, usually 'Best Baby' (taken from sizes 1 and 2), 'Best Young' (from sizes 3 and 4), 'Best Adult' (from size 5) and 'Best Mature' (from sizes 6 and 7).

The most important show award of all, 'Grand or Supreme Champion' is often chosen very early during the judging process, because it is now thought fairer that the Koi winning this award does not take any other. Once a Grand Champion is decided, it is ineligible for any other class. Although any Koi in the show is eligible for Grand Champion, it is usually one of the larger sizes, given good quality and conformation, simply because they cannot fail to have a higher impact than small Koi. Patterned Koi also have an advantage for the higher awards (and in classes like Kawarimono which hold both single coloured and patterned varieties), since essentially, there are more appreciation points available for consideration and achievement to a high standard.

The above awards are almost universal at Koi shows, although different countries and societies have a range of extra or special awards, for example, the 'Jumbo' award to the largest Koi in the show, 'Best Novice Exhibitor' or 'Best Vat'. 'Best representative of an individual, selected variety' (across all sizes) is also an interesting special award becoming more popular. The variety can be changed each year, attracting rarer Koi, for example, metallic Matsuba, to a show.

Generally small teams of judges and trainees judge the first round of a show, for example, two full judges and a trainee. All judges attending the show usually come together to judge Best in Size and higher awards. The number of judges at a show depends upon several factors, chief of which is probably the time it takes to judge. For example, if it takes a single team about three hours to judge round one at an 'English style' show involving 100 Koi, then to judge a show of 300 Koi in a similar time you would need sufficient judges to make up three first round teams.

Judging Style

As explained in part 1 of this two part series, Koi shows are held either 'Japanese' or 'English' style, which has very important implications for the judges. In 'Japanese style' shows, all Koi of a specific variety and size, are placed together irrespective of owner. In an 'English style' show each owner's Koi are segregated, regardless of size and variety. 'Japanese style' shows are much simpler and faster to judge, since all the Koi in each class are together in one place, for each round. Winners are moved on, with their identification, to separate vats for rounds 2 and 3. 'Japanese style' allows judges to concentrate on the task in hand, since a recorder handles administrative details and Koi for the next class do not have to be found, they are ready, together in the next vat!

The now predominant 'English style' shows are very different. Actual judging is compounded by the problem of actually finding the Koi for each class, since they are scattered amongst a large number of vats. Each judge requires a list of vats and Koi within them separated into appropriate classes For example, in size four Kohaku you might be judging 20 Koi, which are housed in vats 1, 4, 5, 9, 19, 24, 25, 26 etc. A large show might field more than 50 vats set out in a large square or rectangle. The number of times judges and Koi handling teams walk round has never been counted, but consider a potential total of 91 first round classes (7 sizes and 13 varieties), followed by 12 major award classes. Unless Koi numbers are very few, each class will generally require two vat circuits (short-listing followed by placing). If decisions are close, further comparative circuits may be necessary.

Even with multiple teams for round 1, judging 'English style' is painfully slow!

Countries using 'English style' for Koi shows have come up with many useful ideas to try and streamline the judging process. For example:

• Installing (and maintaining) a very strict time limit on Koi entries and thus judging start times.

• Having nets and bowls available at each vat to cut out time taken to disinfect them between vats.

• Having smaller Koi (up to size 4) ready bowled by helpers as judges' approach relevant vats.

• Allowing the movement of smaller Koi in bowls to a central point for easier comparison.

• Allocation of a 'recorder' to each judging team to manage results quickly.

• Judging 'one class at a time' instead of allocating groups of classes (for example all varieties in one size) to individual judging teams. This means that speed of judging is maximised, as there is no waiting for a team to finish before moving on to the next judging round.

The Future of Koi Shows

It cannot be denied that 'Japanese style' shows are preferable for viewing the Koi, judging them and teaching/learning more about appreciation. Unfortunately there are very real dangers to the Koi, especially in the light of recent disease outbreaks like Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), which is easily transmitted and can be rapidly fatal. It would seem from the literature that even thoroughly quarantined Koi that appear healthy, can still harbour this virus.

'English style' shows, with all their problems are most likely to be the show of safe choice for the foreseeable future. Round the world, it is up to everyone involved with Koi and shows to innovate, share and implement the very 'best way' of running and judging an 'English style' show.

A Koi Show to Remember (Box)

Of all the shows I have ever attended, or judged, the most memorable has to be my first visit to the Tokyo All Japan Show in 1996. I have never forgotten the staggering impact of about 4000 Koi at one venue, every one of such quality as to be capable of winning an award at any show in the UK at that time. Koi larger than any I had ever seen and varieties I had only seen in pictures or in my dreams. In a way, it is sad that this sort of experience only happens once. Returning to this show and others like it, has never been quite the same. The memory however, will be with me forever.