Page 49 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 68

Martin’s unique relationship hobby started to develop and spread slowly around
with the breeders enables the world from the mid-1960s. Koi are now shipped to
him to give an enjoyable
Koi Masterclass Tour with a countries all over the world which only 20 years ago
distinct insight into the was unheard of. From the internet with social media to
breeders’ histories, working YouTube the world of koi now reaches to all corners of
life and Japanese culture.
the globe. Koi shows are held in so many countries,
koi breeders of Japan travel the world judging and
spreading the word about koi, but before the year
2000 so few of the breeders in Niigata had travelled
outside of Japan.
For so many koi enthusiasts taking a trip to Japan to
see koi is something you just have to do, it is on so
many people’s ‘bucket list’ and for many people it’s a
bit like coming on a pilgrimage. Visiting Niigata the
very heart of the koi breeding industry opens the door
to an incredible place. Recognised as the birth place
of koi it’s geographically beautiful and steeped in
history and culture.
48
SO WHY COME ON A KOI MASTERCLASS TOUR?
Of course today, anyone can see so much and learn
so much about this area of Japan via YouTube, and
so many people are now putting up films about koi
from breeders, koi shows, and now even the koi
breeders have taken on board the power of
promoting their own farms via social media, creating
Martin and Masaru Shintaro,
owner of Shintaro Koi Farm. auctions for their koi and the breeders’ association
‘Shinkokai’ run the breeders’ auction which is
Top:
Martin’s close relationship participated by people online all over the world. But
with the breeders is unique. there is nothing like coming here and experiencing
for yourself, the area, the koi farms and the unique
culture that is there. These tours are based on my
40+ years’ experience of living and being here in
Niigata with the breeders.
49