NIIGATA -- Colorful koi draw fans from around the world, as the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association's Niigata District witnessed recently when it held an online popularity vote. About 100,000 people across the globe cast votes for their favorite nishikigoi, a type of varicolored carp.
Niigata Prefecture is the birthplace of nishikigoi and the nation's largest production area for the ornamental fish.
Fairs are usually held in Niigata Prefecture in the spring among koi enthusiasts competing over the beauty of their nishikigoi, and fans and buyers from around the world come to buy the fish. This year, however, the district refrained from holding the fair in March and April to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
So koi farmers and enthusiasts around the world instead took to cyberspace to show off their koi to as many people as possible.
Sales have been plummeting though producers are selling koi online. Even so, the district launched "International nishikigoi Web GP" online hoping "to heal fans' heart through their favorite nishikigoi," the organizer said.
About 300 members of the association that comprises koi farmers nationwide and 730 koi, including those from overseas, entered the competition divided into two sections.
On the website, pictures of koi are posted without the name of the exhibitors. About 100,000 votes were cast between April 27 and May 7, and most of them came from the United States and Germany, according to the organizer.
As a result, the Ginrin Showa variety raised by Nishikigoi Farm Marushin in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, and the Kohaku variety raised by a farmer in Okayama Prefecture won first place in each section. The winners will be awarded at the International Junior Koi Show next year.
Breeder Mitsunori Isa, 49, who is the head of the Niigata District, said, "I hope many people feel good about viewing nishikigoi and become interested in them."
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