MerLion Arowana Blog 13 - Ranchu Journey V - Judging Ranchu

MerLion Arowana Blog 13 - Ranchu Journey V - Judging Ranchu  

• Posted by MerLion Aro May 26 - Filed in Arts & Culture - #Arowana  #ranchu  #goldfish  - 108 views
  During my ranchu-crazy day...I would scour everywhere...hunting for information that would increase my knowledge on ranchu. Simply, because no one could really provide me with an "A-Z" knowledge on ranchu. It was frustrating! It was like I knew the "width" about ranchu through learning from the many ranchu breeders...but not the "depth" about ranchu. 

  
  

  However, my thirst was quenched when I chanced upon this book by Yushio Wantanabe San. In it, he has clearly defined how to judge and how to appreciate the ranchu. This formed a basic criteria for any ranchu breeder to follow when considering the final outcome of his breeding effort.

  
  

  

  
  

  This book has not only touched on ranchu but also many other goldfish varieties. I believe, for many ranchu maniac like me, we are attracted to many other varieties of goldfish too. To me, this was the best goldfish book among the many other books that I have bought.

  
  

  However, the book focus was only on Japanese bred goldfish and has not included the goldfish bred in Thailand and China. These two other countries have numerous avid goldfish fans too. If there is a  book on Thailand and China goldish that can provide similar topics as this book has, it will greatly enhance the knowlege of those hobbyists. At the sametime, provides an overall view of the world goldfish hobby/industry. Maybe, someday I will do it??

  
  

  
  

  Abstracted from the book...

  
  

  
  

  APPRECIATION IF THE BUFFALOHEAD

  
  

  The Buffalohead develops the Wen on its head and has no dorsal find and is oftern called the "King of Goldfish".

  
  

  (a) Head

  
  

  The Wen of the Buffalohead is the result of a thickening of the skin on its head, gill cover and around its eyes. The fish that has equal thickening on these three areas can exactly be called a "Lionhead". The species with the well developed Wen and well balanced face and head is considered good.

  
  

  (b) Back and Caudal Penduncle

  
  

  The back should be wide and smoothly curved when viewed from the side; when seen from the front it should swell equally right and left. The Caudal Penduncle should be thick and be in the correct position.

  The tail should be attached to its Caudal Penduncle at an angle of about 45 degrees and should neither droop nor stand erect. As for the length of the tail, the shorter the better. While swimming, the lower part of the Caudaul fin flutters but when the fish stop swimming, the tail still shows its whole shape. This variety of Goldfish has either Triple Tail or Quandruple Tail but in both the shape should should be bisymmetrical so that the fish can swim smoothly.

  
  

  (c) Scales

  
  

  Generally, the scales of the fish should be lined reguarly. Although some enthusiasts believeit is better to have some variation in the arrangement of the scales and this is an important point for evaluation.

  
  

  (d) Colour

  The body colour of the Buffalohead shoud be red and white.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  BASIC POINTS FOR JUDGING BUFFALOHEAD (RANCHU)

  - Japan Baffalohead Association

  
  

  Article 1.              

  
  

  In judging, special attention should be paid to the following: -

  
  

  1. There should be a good balance between the head, body and tail.
  2. The fish should be large and strong.
  3. The scales should be lined neatly and regularly without confusion. Each of the scales should be as small as possible; their colour should be deep and golden with a healthy appearance whether the body colour is red, white or red and white.
  4. The fish should maintain its aristocratic dignity.
  5. The fish should swim gracefully as well as lightly fluttering its tail. There should be no jerk to its movement.

  
  

  Article 2.

  
  

  How to evaluate each area of the body:-

  
  

  1. Head – The fish should have a wide space between the eyes and have also a wide space between the eye and the mouth. It can have various types of Wen referred as “Tokin (Helmet Gold)” and “Tatsugashira (Dragon Head)”.
  2. Back – The back should be wide, round and have a smooth curvature.
  3. Abdomen – The fish should have a good space between the abdomen and the tail.
  4. Caudal Peduncle – The Caudal Peduncle should be as thick and robust as the back is wide. There should be a roundness at the tail point.
  5. Tail – The tail should be attached to the body in an elegant manner and its shape, bisymmetrical. The fish should use its tail skillfully. The tail should rise up at an angle of about 90 degrees to the Caudal Peduncle. There are 3 types: Triple Tail, Quadruple Tail and Cheery Blossom Tail.
  6. Fins – The fins should be well balance in their size and movements.

  
  

  Article 3.

  
  

  In judging Goldfish, the size of the fish should never be taken into consideration.

  
  

  Article 4.

  
  

  The fish should be judged by how good or bad they are on the day of judging.

  Additional clause: Names of colour for the goldfish body are ruled as follows:

  
  

  1. Red: gold, vermilion, red
  2. White: white, silver
  3. Calico : red dominated calico, white dominated calico, white lower back, red back and white abdomen.
  4. Patterns on the head: “Menkaburi”, white face, calico face, red head, “Ryoyakko”, red mouth, window and “Kigarashi”.

  
  

  Article 5.

  
  

  The fish too large or immature to any refinement or dignity will receive a cut in marks.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Reading through all the points mentioned above...makes appreciating and judguing ranchu look easy. But the truth is...very difficult. That is why a japanese ranchu breeder can only be promoted to a local judge after joining the local association for at least 5 years. For any All Japan Ranchu Compeition judge, he must have at least 10 years of judging experience.

  
  

  It is easy to comment whether a piece of ranchu is beautiful or not. But extremely difficult to judge why it is different from the rest of the ranchu. Supposedy, if all good ranchu is placed together, how to judge which is superior?  How to see beyond the physical appearance of each ranchu? 

  
  

  There are many ranchu breeders but not all of them can be promoted to be the Judge or Judge of Judges. Why? There are many ranchu breeders but only a few top breeders work are being recongnised. Why? There are some question I hope the ranchu and arowana hobbyist can ask themselves and find out the truth!

  
  

  
  

  1515hrs 26th May 2013

MerLion Arowana Blog 12 - Ranchu Journey IV - Naitoh San

MerLion Arowana Blog 12 - Ranchu Journey IV - Naitoh San

• Posted by MerLion Aro May 19 - Filed in Arts & Culture - #Arowana  #ranchu  #goldfish  - 25 views
  I spent many hours talking to Naitoh San on ranchu breeding because I was attempting to breed my dream ranchu in Dreamfish farm...for the second time. Before this, I have bred many Thai Red/White and Black ranchu. 

  
  

  

  
  

  The Goldfish breeding facility in Dreamfish.

  
  

  In Nov, 2004, I went to Japan again for two purposes. The first was to purchase ranchu for breeding and second was to visit the All Japan Ranchu Competition held in Tokyo.

  
  

  Haru San knew my plan and introduced me to Naitoh San.

  
  

  Naitoh San is a licensed Judge of Judges in the All Japan Ranchu Association. He breed ranchu for more than 40 years. To reach his rank, it will take lots of experiences and recognitions from the Japan ranchu breeder community. He is a teacher to many other ranchu breeder in Hamamtsu. To strengthen the Hamamatsu ranchu bloodline, he continuously, perfecting his ranchu bloodline and share it with the rest of breeders there. 

  
  

  I was honoured to be one of his student!

  
  

  

  
  

  Naitoh San netting ranchu from his parent pond. These ranchu were to be used as his bloodline parent in the next season. These ranchu had been chosen from the thousands of thousands – worthy to transcend his ranchu bloodline. He was very kind to give up a few pieces for breeding in Dreamfish Farm.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

   The above were the "chosen ones". Naitoh San parent ranchu were mostly red. Accoriding to  him...if using red/white parent, there will be many ranchu that would turn out to be full white. Using "more red" parent ranchu, there would be a good proportion of offspring with red and red/white colour.

  
  

  After the selection, we went to sit down at a small hut near to his ponds. I started to question him on many topics on ranchu breeding. 

  
  

  Naitoh San would wake up 4-5am in the morning during the ranchu breeding season. He practised the "hand press" method as this would provide him the best fertility rate. Every eggs/fries were considered as "potential" because ranchu breeding is a probability game. Apart from good parents, a breeder must ensure the best fertility rate and best survival rate so to obtain the best bloodline combination from the parent ranchu. The best ranchu bloodline would be found in the top 5% of the whole breeding lot. Any drop in fertilty rate or survival rate will greatly reduce this 5%. This is the reason why the breeding and grooming technique of ranchu is very important.

  
  

  Naitoh San would choose...not the biggest or smallest ranchu for breeding. He would choose the mid size ranchu as it would pass down the best gene to the next generation ranchu. Too big or too small ranchu might have weak gene or low fertility problem.

  
  

  I remembered that I asked him about natural breeding technique. He explained to me that Ranchu is an ornamental fish. Its no longer a "natural fish". Ranchu is bred for viewing pleasure and the the work of ranchu breeder is to breed a ranchu that best satisfy the ornamental purpose. To achieve this, hand press technique is the best.

  
  

  This has caused me to think really hard on my arowana breeding work. It has changed my breeding philosophy. I used to believe in breeding only pure bloodline to conserve what is natural. But now, I believe in also breeding for ornamental purpose - conceiving a new bloodline that is superior. This work is found in our MerLion Harmony. However, this belief of "breeding for ornamental purpose" should not be used as an excuse for "junk" breeding. 

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  After talking for a while in the hut, Naitoh San has decided to show us his hand press technique.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Naitoh San and me...he presented me with a gift... the net for culling the defect ranchu fries. Whenever I used the net...I am grateful to his teaching.

  
  

  Naitoh San treated us (Haru San and me) to lunch that day...

  
  

  

  
  

  This photo was taken from a Taiwan magazine...showing our goldfish facilities. Those concret tanks housed Naitoh San ranchu as shown.

  
  

  I failed terrribly in breeding the Japanese ranchu. I could not obtain the "5%" quality. My ranchu breeding work were not delicated enough to ensure high fertility and high survival rate. Due to the commitment  in arowana breeding, I had to give up ranchu breeding after a year of trying. 

  
  

  Japanese ranchu and Thai ranchu breeding are different in term of "wastage". Most Thai ranchu of lower quality can be sold easily but not the Japanese ranchu. Thai ranchu is for side viewing pleasure and Japanese ranchu is for top viewing pleasure. Top-view ranchu has higher quality requirment and hence, required higher breeding skill.

  
  

  During the time in the hut, I learned from Naitoh San the prodedure of All Japan ranchu competition. How they judge during the competition? I needed to know as I would be going to Tokyo to view the competition. Something that I wanted to do in this life time. What is the All Japan Ranchu competition about? I will try my best to explain it in my next blog...stay tuned!

  
  

  1358Hrs 19th May 2013

MerLion Arowana Blog 11 - Ranchu Journey III - Monden San

MerLion Arowana Blog 11 - Ranchu Journey III - Monden San

• Posted by MerLion Aro May 18 - Filed in Arts & Culture - #Arowana  #ranchu  #goldfish  - 26 views
  In July 2000, after visiting Fukaim San, I visted one of the most stern ranchu breeder that I ever met! His name is Monden San. I am not able to recalled his ages etc but I knew he was an old warrior  in the ranchu industry...in Yatomi.

  
  

  Monden San was well respected within the Japan Ranchu Breeder community. He was very quiet and stern looking. He taught that one have to respect the work of breeder. How difficult it was to produce one beautiful Ranchu – a life long pursue. It is a “no joke” business.

  
  

  

  
  

  I saw in him that no amount of money could triumph the pride of a breeder! I learned from him that a breeder should have self-worth.

  
  

  I went to him with a budget of SGD300.00 - SGD500.00 per piece. He asked, "how many pieces are you looking for?" I replied, "3 pieces". I didn't know how his ranchu quality was and I am afraid to commit. I have learned from Haru San that it is not good to visit a breeder and not purchase any fishes...at least a few pieces to show respect and appreciation...this is the Japanese culture.

  
  

  Why did we have to go through this? ...because he was not going to show me the whole farm just because I wanted to buy some ranchu. He would not risk the health of the ranchu just to cut a deal with me. To him, the ranchu health was much more important than any monetary gains. His priority was not my needs....or maybe, he has seen too many "arrogant" hobbyist who believe money was almighty. From him, I started to question about the ethics of a breeder...and the ethics of a hobbyist...and the ethical way of behaviour between the breeder and a hobbyist.

  
  

  ...Guess what? He showed me only 5 pieces and asked me to choose from them! Take it or leave it!...I was shocked! I though he would show me more. This was the first time that I was taught that "Customer is NOT King"!

  
  

  I bought 3 pieces...I wished I have more choices to choose from.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  This was Monden San.

  
  

  

  
  

  This was Mrs Monden. She was friendly. Ha!

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

   These were some of Monden San baby ranchu that were net into a round tub while waiting to be transfer into a new cleaned concrete tank. 

  
  

  I remember that there were some other photos of his ranchu but I couldn't find the negative. One of the ranchu that I was attracted to...I asked for the price...1 million yen! 

  
  

  Monden San ranchu was known to be late developer and usually, his nisai ranchu would win in competition and not his tosai ranchu. This was for me, a lesson about bloodline....and maybe to some "serious" hobbyist...do not judge fish by its current appearance...understand the "roots" of its bloodline! An ugly duckling now can turn into a beautiful swan in the future!

  
  

  For arowana... Usually is the other way...due to many "improved" way of beautifying the juvenile arowana, they are being mistaken as high quality arowana. Many hobbyist are lacking in knowledge or purely ignorant. The worse is, some hobbyists are "smart aleck" thinking they can outwit the skill of unscrupulous breeders and traders.....(we will discuss all these in detail ..in the future if time permitted)

  
  

  
  

  In my next blog...I will share with you the breeder who taught me about ranchu breeding...

  
  

  1733hrs 18th May 2013

  
  

MerLion Arowana Blog 10 - Ranchu Journey II - Tokutake San

MerLion Arowana Blog 10 - Ranchu Journey II - Tokutake San

• Posted by MerLion Aro May 11 - Filed in Arts & Culture - #Arowana  #ranchu  - 51 views
  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Behind this house (in Hamamatsu), were the fruits of more than 50 years life dedication of a ranchu breeder - The late Tokutake San.

  
  

  

  
  

  Tokutake San was named by many in Japan as “The Father of Ranchu”.  He has dedicated more than fifty years of his life in improving the bloodline and promoting the breeding of Ranchu in Japan. He did so by distributing some of his specially selected Ranchu to other breeders for strengthening the Ranchu bloodline in Japan. Due to his age, Mr. Tokutake has stop breeding for commercial purposes and breed purely for his own enjoyment (during the time when I met him. 

  
  

  Sharing of fish bloodline is something that I have not seen happening in the arowana industry. This is understandable as business competitive advantage is important to the surviability of an company. But again, doesn't the ranchu industry face the same predicament? If so, why and how can the Japanese do it and not any other nations?

  
  

  The Japanese Koi and Ranchu breeders has clearly proved that only through unity...with intergrity can one country's fish industry truly excel!

  
  

  What you are about to see ...I hope you can undertand and appreciate that these ranchu are very special. Why? "these ranchu are liken to be his grandchildren"..quoted Haru San. At the age of 90, you can understand Tokutake San would only took pleasure of what was the best from his many years of breeding.

  
  

  Please allow me to present you the Tosai ranchu parent of Tokutake San...10cm -12cm. I was lost of words when i seen them. You can never imagine the joy during that moment and the sense of privilage to be able to be there in person.

  
  

  Tokutake San ranchu bloodline was well known to be of very thick “backbone”, wide “eye to eye width”, very strong “tail seat” or “saucer” and large in size. Usually, they were very strong “swimmer”. 

  
  

  Swimmer? Is this part of the bloodline? Yes...the body overall structure and inherit ability to propel itself gracefully; and yet able to display its diginity.

  
  

  This is something I hope to achieve in arowana.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  I visited him during the Altumn in 2001 (if I remember correctly). His ranchu has already grown to be very huge size. At that time, he has already reduced the food feeding amount to his ranchu.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  This was one piece that he has refused to part with him. It has a special "design" and the "trunk" to the tail was so thick! 

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  This piece was packed.

  
  

  
  

  

   Look at the trunk and the size of the tail!! ( top ranchu)

  
  

  

  
  

   Look at the width of the ranchu!

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  This one has a long body.

  
  

  

  
  

   

   This piece was the second piece that I packed! Tokutake San only willing to part with two of his 20-30 pcs of parent ranchu.

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  This ranchu....perfect!

  
  

  

  Another shot of that same rachu that clearly display the nice body curvature.

  
  

  

   Nice bending that shows the trunk and tail connection.

  
  

  

   The healthy and shinning scale.

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

   Look at their Trunk again!

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Tokutake San passed away at the age of 92 years old. But his ranchu bloodline continue to lives in many Japanese ranchu today...especially ranchu from Hamamatsu!

  
  

  The lesson that I learned from him is to dedicate onself not only to one fish...but also to one fish community!

  
  

  I hope you have not only enjoyed the ranchu photos but also appreciate the work of fish breeders.

  
  

  
  

  1829hrs 11 may 2013

MerLion Arowana Blog 9 - Ranchu Journey I

MerLion Arowana Blog 9 - Ranchu Journey I

• Posted by MerLion Aro Fri at 11:08 AM - Filed in Arts & Culture - #ranchu  #goldfish  - 118 views
  

  Two weeks ago, I was in Philippines for the Aqua Fiesta organized by the Philippines Arowana and Luohan Society (PALHS). While I was there, I was invited to be one of the judges for their goldfish competition. While I was looking at the goldfish, it brought back many memories….

  Not known to many, Ranchu was my first “serious” fish hobby. I would spent most of my salary chasing after one after another piece of ranchu to satisfy my desire in obtaining the best ranchu…in the world. I visited all ranchu dealers in Singapore and still, they can’t seem to give me the many answers that I have in mind…”What is a good ranchu”…What is the meaning of ranchu bloodline”…”What is the true knowledge of ranchu keeping”. Most of the dealers were only interested in making a sales transaction...no time to teach...or lack of knowledge. These happened to be the same questions I asked about arowana. In fact, my ranchu journey has greatly influence the way I am as an arowana breeder.

  
  

  In this blog series…I hope to share my knowledge on the ranchu…but first...this was what had happened some 13 years ago.

  
  

  Due to the heavy “cash” commitment in ranchu hobby (some of you probably know how expansive a ranchu cost and how easily it died without any prior warning), I have decided to do part time trading in ranchu. Since those ranchu in Singapore were unable to satisfy me, I had decided to go to the country of origin - Japan to source for myself. I would select some for my personal keeping and some additional pieces for sales to cover my hobby cost and travelling expenses.

  (Goldfish was originated in China but Japan breeders perfected it because of their Samurai spirit…Those who have read about the Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi would understand what I mean. This is my motivation…even though arowana was originated in Indonesia and Malaysia... Singapore can perfect it!)

  
  

  In Jan 1999, I made my first virgin trip to Japan-Nagoya. I met up with Haru San…introduced by a manager of an tropical fish exporter here in Singapore. He brought me to Yatomi to hunt for my dream ranchu. In Yatomi, we needed Nagatani San of Maruu Co. Ltd to help us because he was the better connected to the breeders there. Not many breeders will entertain our request if we were to go direct, this was their culture...to protect the industry through integrity.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  From Right: Nagatani San, Me and Haru San...when we were younger...in 1999!

  
  

  
  

  We travelled to a few breeders but were rejected as the weather was cold and the breeders were not willing to risk killing the fishes by netting them up from the ponds. At the same, it was in January…a time where only the best and reserved ranchu would be stocked for their breeding in April or May. However, there was a kind breeder who accepted our visitation and request. He told Natagani San and Haru San that he did not wish to disappoint me as I travelled a long way to be there. I am really grateful to him. Till today, I remember his kindness. He was the first breeder to sell me ranchu!

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Mr. Fukami netting his "precious" from the concrete pond in his greenhouse.

  
  

  Some might knew that during winter, only best selected fishes were kept in greenhouse by ranchu breeders to secure the next breeding production when the spring arrived.

  
  

  He is famous for producing Ranchu with super “Buffalohead”. He enjoys producing new Ranchu variety. He is probably the first in the world to produce the Black/White (Hagaromo) Ranchu. He is also very popular for his Sakura Ranchu (another form of Red/White Ranchu with translucent scale) and Edo Calico Ranchu.

  
  

   

  
  

  Fukami San Sakura Ranchu...with buffalohead.

  
  

  

  
  

  Mr. Fukami San Edo Calico Ranchu…with buffalohead.

  
  

  I am not sure if he has perfected the bone structure and tail shape of the above two varieties. But I am sure their bloodline must have been much better than I last seen them.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  The above were the Tosai ranchu selected - 10 pcs. Look at their buffalohead! Do they look small? I sold a few pieces to Mr Koh...a serious ranchu hobbyist in Singapore..at least 10 years experience then. He kept them to at least 7-8 inches...or 9inches?? One of the biggest ranchu that I have seen in Singapore...The ranchu headgrowth, backbone and tails are super! This was the work of good bloodline with good keeping skill. 

  
  

  Bloodine is critical for true/full enjoyment of fish keeping! Many hobbyists have neglected this import criterior when selecting fishes. But again, how many hobbyists really understand about fish bloodline?

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

   These were the Tosakin I bought and I hand carried them back to Singapore. It was permitted then to carry them up into the plane. In the plane, I kept opening up my bag to check on them. I was really excited and yet worried if any thing would happened to them. They were my dream came through and ...costly!

   

  
  

  Fukami San and me...I visited him again during summer 2000 to purchase more fishes...

  
  

  
  

  I have asked Fukami San many questions. But the one answer that have embedded in my mind...the question: "how can I know ranchu bloodline...how can I obtain the best ranchu"? His answer: "BREED YOUR OWN RANCHU"! This was something that I couldn't understand till I became a "full-time" arowana breeder.

  
  

  
  

  There were few other breeders who have taught me many things ...not just on ranchu...I will share with you more in my next blog...the late Tokutake San...and his many "precious".