Koi Varieties Koromo/Goromo By Ray Jordan

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1 Koi Varieties Koromo/Goromo By Ray Jordan Koromo (pronounced Ko row mow) are one of the older koi varieties. The word Koromo means robed in Japanese. Koromo are usually classified as white based nonmetallic koi with a red dorsal pattern and having a matsuba (mesh) like scale border ornamentation on the red pattern with white skin. You can think of Koromo as a kohaku with an overlaying matsuba pattern on the red pattern. Koromo differ from Goshiki in that the matsuba pattern appears on the red pattern with Koromo instead of the white skin with Goshiki. In some koi shows in the United States Koromo and Goshiki are placed in a combined class for judging. While there is some debate over the origin of Koromo most references indicate that the first Koromo were produced about 1911 by crossing a female asagi/goshiki with a male kohaku in an attempt to produce kohaku with darker red color. As the off spring were grown it was discovered that the outer edges of their red scales became stained with black color. The breeder got rid of most of these koi but a few were sold and bred to become the first koromo s. Some other siblings were bred back to Kohaku s to become the first modern sanke but that is a story for another article. In the late 1940 s Koromo s became more popular and were bred in greater numbers. Credit for significantly improving Koromo into the more modern refined types seen today is often given to Tomisaku Sakai. Sakai-san was the founder of Yamamatsu farm in Mushigame which continues to be a very famous top tier koi farm operated today by his eldest son Toshiyuki Sakai. There are several types of Koromo being bred today. Notice that the overall variety/class is spelled with a K. The different types of

2 Koromo that have a descriptive word proceeding or following the variety/class name are spelled with G instead of a K and pronounced (Go row mow). This is one of those Japanese language technicalities that make westerners go HUH? Ai Goromo are similar but much refined version of the original Koromo. Ai pronounced (eye) means indigo blue color. The best Ai Goromo have matsuba scale border ornamentation that is indigo blue in color and shaped like a half moon. Most Ai Goromo seen today have black vs dark blue matsuba colored netting. The red portions of the scales form a half moon, diamond, or oval shape. The more distinct and sharp and uniform the matsuba scale ornamentation appears the more beautiful, rare and valuable the specimen. Red appearing on the head of an Ai Goromo should be unstained and not have sumi or shimi markings. Pure white fins and skin without matsuba markings are preferred. Young Ai Goromo s look like kohaku s as the matsuba markings usually develop later. Budo (Boo dough) Goromo are the most common type of Koromo seen currently. Budo means grapes in Japanese. The larger and darker matsuba scale markings on a Budo Goromo are said to resemble bunches of grapes on the red pattern. The matsuba pattern covers a large portion of the red scales with shading becoming darker towards the outer edge. The red pattern on the head usually has a over layer of dark pattern which should be uniform. Sumi (Sue mee) Goromo are the darkest types of Koromo. Sumi means black in Japanese. The red pattern is almost completely covered with a black pattern with just tiny bist of underlying red that often appears to have a brownish hue showing through here and there.

3 Ai Goromo Budo Goromo Sumi Goromo It might be helpful to regard the three main types of Koromo as progressing from the lighter Ai Goromo to the darker Budo Goromo to the darkest Sumi Goromo. Koromo tend to darken over time as the matsuba netting often continues to expand. It is not unlikely to buy a young koi that is identified as an Ai Goromo that later develops into a Budo Goromo and a Budo Goromo that progresses into a Sumi Goromo. Individual Koromo that seem to be between one type or another type are less appreciated than a Koromo that is clearly a classic example. In breeding Koromo it is common to produce several types from patents that are the same type. In judging hierarchy all points of appreciation being equal the more refined Koromo type is usually preferred. So if equal in quality Ai types usually beat Budo types that usually beat Sumi types. There are several different types of Koromo hybrids as a result of being crossed with different varieties of koi. These hybrid types are most commonly benched in the Kawarigoi class at a show.

4 Goromo Goshiki are just as their name implies goromo x goshiki crosses. These hybrids can be beautiful specimens when they are top quality. Crosses can be made with any of the Koromo types. Depending on show regulations these types would be benched in Kawarigoi or Goshiki class. Budo Goromo Goshiki Doitsu Goromo Goshiki Goromo Showa and Goromo Sanke are sometimes seen and can also be quite beautiful when cleanly finished but most example that I have seen are bit too messy for my taste. The Goromo Showa in the photo below is one of the nicer larger specimens I have seen.

5 Goromo Showa Goromo Sanke Shochikubai (Show cheek-oh buy) means Pine, Bamboo, and Plum. Shochikubai are metallic Ai Goromo s. They are placed in Hikarimoyo class at shows. Pine, Bamboo, and Plum are auspicious symbols in Japan. Pine is an evergreen tree that symbolizes long life. Bamboo is tough but flexible and able to become many useful items. Plum trees blossom while snow still lies deep on the ground and provides promise of a coming spring and an easier life. An floral arrangement of these three symbols is commonly used in Japanese homes and businesses in mid-winter to represent the blessings of long life, toughness, and improving fortune to occupants and visitors. Sadly in my experience very few Shochikubai live up to their beautiful symbolic name.

6 As you might imagine there are also doitsu and gin rin goromo s available. I have only just scratched the surface of this particular koi variety. Next time you are at a koi breeder, dealer, or koi show be sure the check out the Koromos. They are definitely one of the more interesting varieties.