Koi Fish Term Glossary S-Z (2024)

S.Sabi -- (SAH bee) Appearance of depth to the skin of scaled koi.

Sadazo -- (Sad As Oh)

Saiseirin-- Reappearing the scale. Scale that returns after having been lost in an accident or injury. Saiseirin could be good or bad, depending if the scale grew back to be the original color.

Sakame Asagi-- Reverse Asagi. Koi that has white cores in the scales and indigo netting which is the exact opposite of the scale pattern on a Narumi Asagi.

Sakura Ogon -- A metallic Kanoko Kohaku (Hikari Moyomono). San bu -- (SAHN boo) Size three.Sandan -- (SAHN dahn) Three-step pattern; as in Sandan Kohaku (3-Step Kohaku).Sandan Kohaku -- (SAHN dahn koh HAH koo)A Kohaku with three hi markings (Kohaku).

Sankaku Hi--A triangular Hi plate. Used especially to describe Hi on the tail section.

Sanke -- (SAHN keh) Literally, 'tri-color'. 'White-based' koi with hi and sumi patterns of red and black (Sanke).Sanke Shusui -- (SAHN keh SHOO swee) A doitsu Sanke whose pattern is underlaid with the blue back of the Shusui (Kawarimono). Sanke Sumi -- (SAHN keh SOO mee) Black typically found in small well defined patches over the body of the koi, but not on the head. 'Leopard-spot' pattern. Also occurs on Bekko.Sansai -- (SAHN sigh) Over two, and up to three years old - referring to koi age.Sanshoku -- (sahn·shoh·koo) Tri-colored as in Showa Sanshoku.Sarasa -- (sah RAH sah) Pattern of birds, flowers, and geometric patterns. Another term for 'longfin'. Red spots on the back.Old name for Kohaku. Still used once in a while.

Sashi --(SAH shee)Short for Sashikomi. The underlying black or red markings on a Koi. These markings often stabilize when the Koi is mature. Blurring of the leading edge of a pattern element, seen on scaled koi between the front of a Hi plate or Sumi and the Shiroji. The blurry pinkish colour is caused by the end of the Shiroji scale overlapping the beginning of the Hi scale. When the Hi is of sufficient quality, the Hi shows through the Shiroji and appears as a blurry pinkish line at the front edge of each Hi pattern. Sashi refers only to the Kiwa towards the head and does not occur in the Kiwa towards the tail. Ideal Sashi is about one scale wide. Nimai Zashi is 2 scales wide. Sanmai Zashi is 3 scales wide.

Sashi Seigyo-- Mature Koi. Nishikigoi more then 6 years old. At Koi shows, Nishikigoi are entered into a class only by size and not by age.

Sashi Sumi-- Short for Sashkomi. Sashi is not only seen in Hi but also in Sumi. Term that refers to the often blurry line between the front of Sumi and the Shiroji. The blurry bluish colour is caused by the end of the Shiroji scale overlapping the beginning of the Sumi scale. The Sumi shows through the Shiroji and appears as a blurry bluish line at the front edge of each Sumi pattern. Sashi refers only to the Kiwa towards the head and does not occur in the Kiwa towards the tail. Ideal Sashi is about one scale wide. Nimai Zashi is 2 scales wide. Sanmai Zashi is 3 scales wide.

Sashikomi – (SAH shee KOH mee) Scales covering the front edge of the pattern.Sensuke -- (Sen Skay) Kohaku bloodline.

Seware --Dividing the back. A Hi pattern that has most of the Hi with wide Shiroji on the back. A Hi pattern that looks as if it were dividing the Koi's back.

Shemegai --Stunt the growth. The process of keeping Koi small by stunting their growth. Shimegai can be accomplished by feeding them a very small amount of food and keeping them in limited space so the pheromones that limit their growth are present.

Shiagari-- Finish. Koi become more beautiful or less beautiful as time goes by. If a Koi finishes well and is beautiful we say it has good Shiagari. If a Koi does not finish well then we say it has poor Shiagari.

Shibun--A very tiny weak point. Insignificant. Trivial. Meaningless. Used by customers to try and negotiate a 50% discount on a Koi. A exercise in futility.

Shiki bu -- (SHEE kee boo) Size seven.Shimi -- (SHEE mee) Very small black speckles, or dots, no larger than a single scale. Judges consider Shimi as a demerit - koi owners call them 'Beauty Marks'. Small black specks, which sometimes spoil the appearance of the white or red markings of Koi.

Shinsui --Fresh water. We could say 'the pond needs Shinsui'. You should add 10% of Shinsui to your pond every week.

Shintaro -- New Go Sanke line of koi (Matsunosuke based).

Shiro -- (SHEE roh) White.Shiro Bekko -- (SHEE rohBEH koh) Tortoise shell. A white Koi with black markings (Bekko). Shiro Muji -- (SHEE rohMOO gee) White, non-metallic, without pattern.

Shiro Matsuba -- (SHEE rohmaht SOO bah) A white Koi with a black 'pinecone' Matsuba pattern in the scales on the back (Kawarimono).

Shiro Utsuri -- (SHEE rohoot SOO ree) White reflection. A black koi with white markings (Utsurimono).

Shirobou --White Nishikigoi. Many white patterns are culled. However a Koi could become white when it was 2-3 years old. Also called Shiro Muji.

Shirogane -- An early name for Platinum Ogon. Shirogoi -- (SHEE roh goy) White koi.

Shiroji -- (shee ROH gee)

sh*ta Sumi-- Sumi beneath. Sumi that appears to be hiding below the surface of the Shiroji. Sumi that is barely visible under the surface at the scales. sh*ta Sumi could emerge or disappear. Kage Sumi refers to Sumi that has started to emerge and is seen on the skin as a shadow.

sh*tsu -- (SHEET soo) Quality, or nature of skin - including shiroji, hi, sumi, etc.

Shochikubai -- (shoh CHEE koo bye) Metallic Ai Goromo. Pine, bamboo, and plum (Hikari Moyomono).

Showa -- (SHOH wah) A three colored koi, black with red and white. Black koi with red and white markings. Also referred to as Showa Sanshoku. The last of the Go Sanke class of koi (The Big Three Koi) of Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa. Showa exhibit sumi in stripes or bands (similar to Utsuri), as opposed to Sanke which show sumi in spots. Showa also have sumi on the head, Sanke does not.

Showa Period -- (SHOW wah period)

Sumi Giwa-- Black border. Border line between the black pattern and the other colours.

Sumi Goromo -- (SOO mee goh ROH moh) White koi with red patterns overlaid by black reticulation (black net pattern). An Ai Goromo whose koromo pattern is overlaid with solid black markings (Koromo).

Sumi Mono --Sumi class. General name for Nishikigoi that have Sumi such as Taisho Sanshoku, Showa, Kumonryo etc.

Suminagashi -- (SOO mee nah GAH shee) A black koi with white scale reticulation (white net pattern). A Koi whose black scales are outlined in white.

Susu Sumi-- Soot Sumi. Low quality Sumi that is like soot which is simply black without lustre. Also called Nabe Sumi. The opposite term is UrushiSumi.

T. Taikei -- (tye KYE) Conformation of the body.

Taiko --Height. The height of a Koi from the top of the back to the bottom of the belly. Measurement of the widest part. It is said that Koi that have a big Taiko have the potential to grow very large. Of course it is important to consider all of the factors.

Taisho Period -- (TYE show period) Japanese era from 1912 through 1926. (Periods are dated and named for the Emperor of Japan and the time he serves as Emperor).

Taisho Sanke -- (TYE shoh SAHN keh)The full name of Sanke which are ‘white based’ koi with ed and black patterns. Three colored koi; shiro (white) body with hi (red) and sumi (black) markings - commonly referred to as 'Sanke'. Unlike Showa, Sanke never have sumi on the head, and Sanke's body sumi appears in patches, or spots - not in bands or stripes like that of the Showa. The Sanke is the second koi in the Go-Sanke Class of Koi that is known as 'The Big Three'. Produced in the Taisho era.

Taisho Sanshuko--Proper name of the variety usually called Sanke. Sanshoku means three colours. While breeding Kohaku, Koi with black pigments suddenly appeared. While the primary evaluation is still based on the Kohaku pattern, the variety was improved to have the added highlight of large, lacquer black Sumi patches that these Koi are known for today.

Takai -- (TAH Eye) Expensive.

Taki --(TAH kee) Waterfall.Taki Sanke -- (SAHN keh) An Asagi whose blue body color is divided from the red markings on its sides by a white line (Sanke). Tamagin -- See Pearl Ginrin.

Tancho -- (TAHN choh) A koi with a single hi spot on the head only. Red cap. A red spot on the head (used when the Koi has no other red on the body, in contrast to 'maruten'.)

Tancho Kohaku -- (TAHN choh koh HAH koo) A white Koi with a red spot on the head only. (Tancho). Tancho Sanke -- (TAHN choh SAHN keh) A Sanke whose only red marking is a head spot (Tancho). Tancho Showa -- (TAHN choh SHOH wah) A Showa whose only red marking is a head spot (Tancho).

Tasukigake-- Literally a cord that runs diagonally across the back to hold up the sleeves of a Kimono. Describes a pattern that crosses the back diagonally. It is not called Tasukigake when the pattern crosses the back in a straight line (but it may then be Obi Zumi). If the Tasukigake is thin, then it may also be Himo Zumi.

Tate Hi-- Long Hi. Hi plate that goes from the mouth towards the tail. Because there is no Maki it lacks in power. A Hi plate that crosses over the backbone and has Maki is called Kuragake. Also referred to as 'Vertical Hi'.

Tate Sumi-- Long Sumi. A long Sumi shape that is generally parallel to the dorsal fin of the Koi. Sumi tends to appear in a Kuragake shape and very few Taisho Sanshoku have Tate Sumi. Large Tate Sumi make a strong impact, unlike Tate Hi which appears as a weak pattern. Thin Tate Sumi may be Himo Sumi.

Tategoi -- (TAH teh goy) A koi that posses potential for the future. A koi that the breeder keeps because he thinks it will improve and be worth more money at a later age. This is the most misused word in the koi language. At one time a dealer could not buy these koi, but due to demand the koi breeders are selling some in the early spring. They don't come cheap!

Tatesh*ta -- What a koi becomes when the breeder decides to sell it. It is no longer tategoi.

Teaka-- Pectoral fins with Hi. Except for a few varieties like Asagi, Shusui and Aka Hajiro, the pectoral fin should be white. When the Hi spreads to the ends of the pectoral fins it is considered a defect. Small Hi at the base of the pectoral fins is a feature called Motoaka.

Tebire -- (teh BEE reh)Pectoral fin.

Tejima -- (teh GEE mah) Sumi stripes in the fins. Most often used to describe the pectoral fins of Taisho Sanshoku. Also called Houki (broom) Sumi. It also used to be called Rentaiki (means flag of regiment) because it looked like the flag of the old navy of Japan. It is said that a few Tejima in Sanke makes the body pattern more stable.

Teri -- (TEH ree) Gloss or luster. Skin shine. Koi produce a secretion called the slime coat on the surface of the body to protect the skin. Healthy Koi produce a lot of this secretion and it creates a shine over the body. Unhealthy Koi produce less secretion and thus the skin does not seem to have sheen. This sheen is called Teri.

Tetsu -- (TEHT soo) Iron.

Tetsu Magoi -- (TEHT soo MAH goy)Ancestor or predecessor of Showa, Chagoi, and Ogon lines.Tezumi -- (teh ZOO mee) Another term for sumi stripes in the fins. Sumi in the pectoral fins. While Sumi can cover any part of the fins it is considered ideal that Tezumi appear at Motoguru in Kumonryo, Shiro Utsuri and Showa. Some varieties would ideally have Motoaka and the rest (except those of solid colour) would ideally have white pectoral fins without Tezumi.

Tobi -- (TOH bee) Jump. In koi it refers to koi that jump in size by eating their siblings. It is very important to remove these koi when sorting fry from a spawn.

Tobi hi -- (TOH bee HEE) Very small hi (red) spots resembling splashes of paint. Hi alone. Hi that is not part of a Hi plate. Because it is usually about one scale in size and does not form a Hi plate it is considered unnecessary Hi. But there are areas where one Tobi Hi could accentuate the pattern. A description used with scaled Koi while Mudagoke refers to a Doitsu Koi.

Tome Sumi-- Stop Sumi. Tome means 'stop'. A Sumi patch than ends in the tail section, or Sumi creating the Odome of Sanke or Showa. Tome Sumi is very important and much more valuable than Hi in the Odome.

Tora Ogon -- (TOH rah OH gahn) Metallic Ki Bekko (yellow and black). (Literally, 'tiger' Ogon). An Ogon with black markings (Hikari Mujimono).

Tomoin -- Kohaku line of koi.

Tosai -- (TOH sye) In its first year - up to one year old; referring to koi age. Baby koi. This year’s fish.

Tsubagin -- (TSOO bah geen) See Pearl Ginrin.

Tsukitsuke --Hi pattern that runs over the head and touches the nose. Has less Hi than a Menkaburi (or Zukinkaburi) pattern where the Hi covers the head.

Tsuya -- (TSOO yah) Another term for 'luster'.

U.

Umebachi -- (OO meh BAH chee)

Urushi Sumi-- Best Sumi. Expression of highest quality Sumi. UrushiSumi is Sumi that is shiny and has the depth of black lacquer. Opposite terms would be Nabe Sumi, Susu Sumi and FunaSumi.

Urushizumi -- (oo ROO shee ZOO mee) Jet-black, glossy sumi (black) with a ting of ai (blue) - also known as tsuyazumi.Utsuri -- (oot SOO ree) 'Reflections' or 'relecting ones'. A two colored koi - always a black koi with one other color; white, red, or yellow patches or bands. Shiro Utsuri, Hi Utsuri, and Ki Utsuri.

Utsurimono -- (oot SOO ree MOH noh)Formal name for Utsuri. ‘Reflections’ or ‘reflecting ones’; two colored ‘black based’ koi, white, red, and yellow markings.

Unwappi -- (oon WAH pee) Thin hi (red). No sashi.

V.

Vermin -- Animals that try to eat your Nishikigoi. Happens when the pond is not deep or big enough and vermin can easily eat your koi fish.

W.

Wabi -- (WAH bee) Appearance of depth to the skin of scaled koi.

Wagoi -- (WAH goy) Scaled koi - virtually all koi except Doitsu.

Y.

Yagozen -- (YAH go zen) A Kohaku lineage, developed in the 1950's.

Yakko Hi-- Leading Hi. Yakko means 'leading man of a daimyo's precession line'. Hi in the gill area that is only seen on Asagi and Shusui. The term occurs because Koi with these markings resemble the face makeup of a leading man of a daimyo's precession line. Hi on both gills is called Ryo Yakko. Hi on one side is called Kata Yakko. The optimal Yakko Hi forms a horseshoe shaped pattern that has white in the middle.

Yamabuki -- (YAH mah BOO kee) Bright gold color, as in Yamabuki Ogon. Literally, a Japonica bush with pale yellow flowers. Used to refer to a koi with yellow color.

Yamabuki Hariwake --(YAH mah BOO kee) A platinum Koi with metallic yellow markings (Hikari Moyomono).

Yamabuki Ogon -- (YAH mah BOO kee OH gahn) Metallic solid yellow. (Hikari Mujimono). Yamato -- (YAH mah toh) The result of a cross between a Sanke and a Fuji Ogon. One of the two varieties now known collectively as Yamato-nishiki.

Yamatonishiki -- (YAH mah toh nee SHEE kee) Japanese brocade. A metallic white Koi with red and black markings,Metallic Sanke.

Yogyo -- (YOHG yoh) Young fish.Yon bu -- (YOHN boo) Size four.

Yondan -- (YAHN dahn) Four Step; as in Yondan Kohaku (4-Step Kohaku). Koi with four red patches on its white body.

Yondan Kohaku -- (YAHN dahn koh HAH koo) A Kohaku with four red body markings.

Yonsai -- (YAHN sye) Four year old koi.

Yoroi –- (yoh ROH) Translates to ‘armored’, usually referring to a doitsu koi withexcessive mirror scales.

Yoroigoi -- (yoh ROH ee goy) A koi with large armor scales all over its body.

Yotsujiro –-A black koi whose head, fins, and undersides are white.

Yotsushiro -- (YOHT soo SHEE roh) Literally, 'five whites'. A black Koi with white head, pectoral, dorsal and caudal fins (Kawarimono).

Z.

ZNA