Koi

Koromo includes Ai Goromo, Sumi Goromo, Budo Goromo, Koromo Sanke, Koromo Showa, Traditional Goshiki, modern (true) Goshiki, Goshiki Sanke and Goshiki Showa. Koromo means ‘robed’ or ‘veiled’, referring to the usual appearance of the vignette. Goshiki have been included in the Koromo group because of their common features. However, some organisations, such as Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA), classify Goshiki with Kawarimono or as a separate category.

Defining features
Koromo are a group of non-metallic Koi patterned similarly to Kohaku, with the additional common feature of a blue or black reticulated effect or vignette. The vignette covers red patterns only for Ai, Sumi and Budo Goromo, Koromo Showa and Koromo Sanke. Traditional Goshiki have a vignette over red and white, and modern Goshiki over white skin only. Goshiki Sanke or Showa can be traditional or modern Goshiki types, with additional Sanke or Showa features.

Origin
All Koromo and Goshiki have a basic Asagi bloodline, originally crossed with other varieties like Kohaku (red and white) and Sanke (red, black and white).

Basic appreciation points
• Points applying to Kohaku red and white patterns are also important for Koromo, and red patterns for Goshiki.
• For crossbred Koi (the Koromo Sanke or Showa), appropriate Sanke/Showa black (sumi) pattern appreciation points apply.
• Also, the blue or black vignette effect is expected to be sharply defined at trailing, scale edges.
• A slightly blurred leading edge typifies this group and Koromo usually show beautiful blue or black sashi (where white overlays red) at the leading edge of each red pattern element.
• Goshiki are a very mixed group. White skin can appear almost black on some, on others the vignette effect is pale grey and very indistinct. Modern Goshiki are not expected to show any vignette over red patterns.

Common problems
• Any group may show defects of shape or proportion, like a small pointed head, poorly shaped or wrongly sized fins.
• Colour and pattern-based problems already discussed for Kohaku, Sanke and Showa apply to this group. Kohaku-style red patterns are common to all the Koromo group and the points discussed for Sanke and Showa black patterns apply to crossbred Koi like Koromo Sanke.
• The vignette has a set of problems all its own. It may be uneven, failing to develop at all in some areas. Particularly for Sumi Goromo, the vignette may develop a ‘lumpy’ appearance, with large black stains overlaying the reticulated effect. The vignette is often very blurred and dirty-looking, common for Goshiki.

Written by Kate McGill

Photo supplied by Kate McGill