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          (Japanese Dictionary)

A dictionary of commonly used Japanese words and their English definitions Compiled and expanded based on an original dictionary by Bernie Woollands and Joop van Tol. Bernie Woollands is a BKKS and NVN judge and a member of the South East Koi Club. Joop van Tol is Koi Pond Technical Advisor to the NVN (Nishikigoi Vereniging Nederland). My appreciation to you both.

Colour	Numbers	Terminology	Home

Variety or expressions   Ai Goromo White Koi with red scales robed in blue. Aka Bekko Red Koi with black markings. Aka Hajiro Red Koi with white tips to the  pectoral fins. Aka Matsuba Red Koi with a black pinecone pattern to the scales Aka Muji A light red Koi. Aka Sanke A Sanke with a predominantly red pattern on the back. Akame Red-eyed Akebi Light blue Albino. A strain usually demonstrated by red eyes Ami Net Amime Mesh or ‘eyes’ of scales in a net pattern. Aragoke Large armour scales Arashi Kumo Literally translates as “Storm Clouds” and describes a “storm cloud” like black pattern. It is a mix of sumi, kage sumi and white that combine to create the “storm cloud” effect Asagi Blue & orange Koi with a pale vignette pattern to the scales. Asagi Magoi One of the three ancestors of Nishikigoi. (Blue carp) Asagi Sanke An Asagi x Sanke hybrid Ato Sumi Sumi that develops as the koi ages Bekko Turtle Beni Orange-red Beni Goi Aka Muji - with a deeper red colour Beni Kikuryu Metallic version of Beni Kumonryu Beni Kumonryu A Kumonryu with the addition of red. Boke Showa A Showa with undeveloped sumi Bu Size Budo Goromo A Koromo with purplish/brown robes to the red scales Bunka  A variation of the sanshoku or tricolor pattern Cha Utsuri A brown Koi with a black utsuri pattern. Chagoi A brown "tea" coloured Koi. Doro Magoi One of the three ancestors of Nishikigoi. (Muddy carp) Fukurin A combination of skin and scale when the middle layer skin grows from under a scale to partially cover an adjacent scale, or when the upper-layer skin of a scale grows to partially cover an adjacent scale Gin Kabuto A black Koi with silver head and scale edges. Gin Matsuba A metallic silver Koi with a black pinecone pattern to the scales. Gin Shiro Bekko A metallic Shiro Bekko Gin Shiro A metallic Shiro Utsuri aka Gin Shiro Utsuri Ginbo A black Koi with a silver sheen Ginsui A metallic Shusui with small or no orange colour Goromo Predominantly white koi with robed scales, outlined or “robed” in blue or black (see also Goromo) Goshiki A Koromo with robing on the base colour, colloquially a five colour Koi Gotenzakura A Kohaku with a flowery cherry blossom pattern. Hageshiro A black Koi with white fin tips and head. Hagoromo  A variety of aigoromo Hajiro A black Koi with white fin tips. Hanako  Translates to ‘flower maiden’, referring to a red koi Hana Shusui Shusui where the beni pattern appears in the flanks above the lateral line. Hariwake A silver & gold metallic Koi Hariwake Matsuba A hariwake with pinecone pattern. Hachiware V-shaped sumi marking behind the head Hanatsuki Hi pattern reaching the mouth Hi Asagi Asagi where the red pattern reaches the dorsal ridge. Hi Showa Showa where red is the predominant colour Hi Shusui Shusui where the beni pattern reaches the dorsal ridge Hi Utsuri A black Koi with a red pattern. Higoi A red Koi. Early ancestor of the present Utsuri & Showa Hikari Shiny (metallic luster) Ippon hi Solid red from nose to tail without a break Kage Shadow, reticulated shadowing sumi Kamisori kiwa Pattern edge which only partially covers scales Kanoko Dappled hi pattern only partially covering the scales Karasugoi A family of black & white Koi often with orange bellies. Kasane sumi Sanke sumi that is present on the Hi pattern. Kata sumi Sumi on shoulder Ki Bekko A Yellow Koi with black markings. Kigoi Yellow Koi Ki Matsuba Yellow Koi with a pinecone pattern to the scales. Ki Shusui A  Shusui with yellow instead of an orange pattern. Ki Utsuri A black Koi with a yellow pattern. Kijiro At the time of writing (2015) this is a new variety that has just been bred in Niigata.  Patterns are similar to kohaku patterns but colours are yellow and white. Kikokuryu Metallic Kumonryu. Kikusui Silver doitsugoi with yellow in the flanks. Kin Fuji Metallic Kohaku. Kin Hi Utsuri Metallic Hi-Utsuri Kin Kabuto Black Koi with gold head and scale edges. Literally "Golden Helmet" Kin Ki Utsuri Metallic Ki-Utsuri Kin Showa Metallic Showa Kin Zakura Kohaku where Hi scales are bordered with gold Kinbo A black Koi with a golden sheen. Kinsui A metallic Shusui with a gold pattern. Kiwa Edge of pattern at the rear end of hi Kohaku White Koi with a red pattern. Konjo Deep blue Konjo Asagi A very dark blue Asagi. Konzai Kiwa Mixture of kamizori kiwa and maruzome kiwa Koromo Predominantly white koi with robed scales, outlined or “robed” in blue or black(see also Goromo) Kuchibeni Lipstick Kujaku Metallic two coloured Koi with a Matsuba pattern. Literally "Peacock". Kumonryu A black doitsu Koi of the karasu family with a volatile (changing) white pattern  Magoi Indigenous food carp of Japan from which Koi, as we know them today, were bred Maruten Round spot Matsuba A Koi with a brown/black centre to each scale giving a pinecone impression. Matsukawabake A fully scaled kumonryu Maruzome Kiwa that follows the edges of the scales. Menkaburi Red hooded pattern Menware Diagonal sumi marking from head to nose Midori-goi A green doitsu Koi Motoguro Solid black in the base of the pectoral fin Moyo Pattern Narumi Asagi A light blue Asagi. Nezu Mouse (grey) Nezu Ogon Silvery grey metalli Koi. Nibanhi Unstable secondary red Nishikigoi Brocaded Carp Ochiba Shigure A blue-grey Koi with a brown pattern. Odome/Ojime Pattern that stops in the tail tube region Ogon Gold Koi Platinum Ogon A metallic white Koi. Pronounced  Pur-a-chin-a. Purachina The Japanese pronounciation of Platinum. Sakura Ogon A metallic Konoko Kohaku. Sanke White Koi with a red and black pattern. Literally "Three coloured". Sanke Shusui Sanke x Shusui hybrid benched as Kawarimono Sanshoku Three-color Sashi An overlap of red and white scales on the forward edge of hi patterns Shiro Bekko White Koi with black pattern Shiro Matsuba White Koi with pinecone pattern Shiro Utsuri Black Koi with white pattern Shiromuji White Koi Shochikubai A metallic Ai-goromo. Showa Black Koi with red and White pattern Showa Shusui Showa x Shusui hybrid Shusui Doitsu version of Asagi. Shimi An unwanted/undesirable black spot or freckle. Plural shimis not shimies Soragoi A Grey-blue Koi Sumi Black Sumi Goromo Koromo with black robes to the scales of the red pattern Sumi-nagashi A black Koi of the Karasu group with white reticulation to the scales. Taki Asagi An Asagi with white line dividing the orange and blue colours. Tancho An isolated red pattern on the head: A Show Class for Koi with this pattern Teri Luster Tetsu Magoi One of the three ancestors of Nishikigoi. (Iron carp) Tora Tiger Tora Ogon Literally “Tiger Ogon".  A metallic Ki-Bekko Tsubo Sumi Sumi on shiro background Utsuri Reflection Yamabuki Yellow-gold Ogon. Yamato Nishiki Metallic Sanke Yotsushiro   Black Koi of the Karasu family  with a white head, white pectorial fins, white dorsal fin and tail. Literally "four whites" Zubanhaki Pattern confined to the rear half of a Koi. Literally "trousers"

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Colour   Ai Blue Aka Red Beni Red/Orange Cha Brown literally "Tea" Gin Silver metallic. Hi Red Karasu Black - literaly crow. Ki Yellow Kin Gold Midori Green Murusaki Purple Nezu Light Grey Orenji Orange Shiro White Sora Grey Sumi Black

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Numbers   Rei Zero Ichi One Ni Two San Three Yon Four Go Five Loku (Roku) Six Nana Seven Hachi Eight Ku Nine Ju Ten Ju-ichi Eleven (ten plus one) Ju-ni Twelve (ten plus two) Ju-san Thirteen (ten plus three) And so on............ ......................then   Niju Twenty Sanju Thirty Yonju Forty Goju Fifty Rokuju Sixty Nanaju Seventy Hachiju Eighty Kyuuju Ninety Hyaku Hundred Hyakuju Hundred and ten Hyakuniju Hundred and twenty Hyakusanju Hundred and thirty Hyakuyonju Hundred and forty Hyakugoju Hundred and fifty Hyakurokuju Hundred and sixty Hyakushichiju Hundred and seventy Hyakuhachiju Hundred and eighty Hyakukyuju Hundred and ninety Nihyaku Two hundred Sanhyaku Three hundred Yonhyaku Four hundred Gohyaku Five hundred Rokuhyaku Six hundred Shichihyaku Seven hundred Hachihyaku Eight hundred Kyuuhyaku Nine hundred Sen Thousand Ni-sen Two thousand San-zen Three thousand Yon-sen Four thousand And so on................

Example
The number of Koi in the South East Show 2007 was san-hyaku-ju-san
Sanhyaku = 300.  Jusan = 13. Total 313.

The Japanese words Sai (Year), Dan (Step), Bu (Size) often accompany a number.
E.g. Nidan (Two Step), Sansai (Three year), Yonbu (Size Four)

Hitots One Futatsu Two Mits Three Yots Four Itutsu Five Muts Six Nanats Seven Yats Eight Kokonots Nine To Ten

When using these numbers the item comes first. E.g. Biru Futatsu  (Two Beers).

Variety	Colour	Numbers	Top	Home

Terminology   Ago hi Hi markings on the gills Ago Sumi Sumi markings on gills Aka Hana A red nose. Akame An eye with a red iris, mostly seen on Kigoi. Atarashi Sumi High gloss stable Sumi Maruzome Kiwa. Literally "New Sumi". Ato Sumi A late development of Sumi. Bekko A Show Class for white, yellow or red Koi with black markings; Literally "Tortoiseshell" Beta-gin Type of Ginrin where the whole scale shines. Boke sumi Undeveloped Showa/Utsuri sumi Bongiri Head pattern that does not go far enough forward. Bozu A Kohaku with no red on the head. Literally "Priest". Budo Pattern of Koromo resembling grapes. Literally "Grape". Danmoyo Stepped pattern Doitsu Koi with no scales or  one or a few lines of scales. Literally "German" Fukarin Visible skin between the scales giving a vignette 'golf ball' like appearance. Fuji A metallic sheen or pinpoint silver spots on the head of young non-metallic Koi Ginrin An abbreviated term for the show class Kinginrin: Literally "Silver Scale". Goke  Fish scale Go Sanke A term for Kohaku, Sanke and Showa. Rough translation "The Important Three" Goi Japanese for carp - (see also nishikigoi) Hachi sumi Lignting shaped sumi head pattern (Utsuri & Showa) Hana Flower Hana sumi A Sumi mark on or around the nose. Hanatsuki A red head pattern that stretches down to the mouth. Hikari Metallic. Hikari Moyomono A Show Class for patterned metallic Koi. Hikari Mujimono A Show Class for single coloured metallic Koi incl Matsuba. Hikari Utsurimono A Show Class for all metallic Utsuri and Showa. Hiroshima Gin Aka Diamond Gin, a Ginrin scale pattern resembling cracked glass Hisoku Yellow-green color Hyousou Shimpi Hyousou Shimpi Upper layer of the skin Inazuma A lightning shaped Hi pattern. Ippon hi A continuous red pattern from head to tail Jari sumi Small unwanted sumi markings. Literally "Gravel" Kabuto Literally ”helmet” - refers to a koi whose head color is different from that of its body Kado Edge Kado Gin Ginrin found on the edge of the scales. Kagami Doitsugoi (Mirror Carp type). Kage Sumi with a faded appearance. Literally "shadow" Kamisori Kiwa that cuts across the scale. Kanoko Dappled hi, isolated to single scales. Literally 'fawn - young deer'. Kata Shoulder Kata moyo A pattern that is only present on one side of the body. Kawa  A koi with no scales except for some reflective scales on the dorsal surface Kawarigoi Doitsugoi (Leather Carp type). Kawarimono The catch-all Show classification of al non metallic Koi. Kindai Literally "modern" Kinginrin Show class for Koi with metalic flecks in thescales. Literally "Gold & Silver Scales". Kiwa The trailing edge of a pattern element. Kokesuki Uneven colour within patterns Koromo Show Class for "robed" Koi. Kuchibeni Red lipped. Kutsubera Classic shoehorn head pattern of Sanke and Kohaku, Rounded & between the eyes. Ma Wild Maruzome Kiwa that follows the edges of the scales. Meija  The era from 1868 to 1912 Menkaburi Hi pattern that covers the whole head. Menware Traditional black head patterns of Showa and Utsuri (Y shaped) Moto Aka Red markings in the base of the pectorial fins. Red version of Moto-guru Motoguro Black markings in the base of the pectorial fins. Nanshitsu Shimpi Middle layer of the skin Narumi Light blue Niban Hi Secondary hi Nidan Two step pattern (see Numbers) Nishiki Japanese for highly coloured cloth (see also nishikigoi) Nishikigoi Koi carp derived from nishiki (highly coloured cloth) and goi (carp) Nissai Two year old Koi. (see Numbers) Odome Last pattern mark before the tail. Ojima Black stripes in the tail. Ojime The gap between the last Hi pattern before the tail. Omoyo Large Hi markings. Ozutsu The caudal peduncle Rin Scale Sakura Cherry blossom Sandan Three step pattern Sansai Three year old Koi Sashi The leading edge of a pattern element. Shiku  Coloured Shimi Small unwanted black spots - (plural shimis not shimies or shimmies) Shimpi Skin Shiroji The white base colour of white skinned Koi Sudare Gin Type of Ginrin where the shine radiates from edge to centre - invasive Kado Gin Sui  A ripple effect Taisho Era  The era covering 1912-1926 Tama-gin Type of Ginrin where the centre of the scale shines Tategoi Koi with potential for improving. Tateshita Young finished Koi with no potential for improvement. Opposite of Tategoi Tejima Black stripes in the pectorial fins Teri Shine Tobi-hi Rogue hi.  Small beni spots isolated from the main pattern Tsubo Sumi "Best placed". Sumi on white skin. Tsuya Lustre Utsuri Literally "Reflection" refering to the pattern Utsurimono Show class for Hi,Ki & Shiro Utsuri Wagoi Fully scaled Koi. Yamabuki Pale yellow colour; derived from the name of a yellow-petaled rose, Kerria japonica, from China Yoroi Doitsugoi (Armoured Carp type). Zuiun A color variant of the shusui

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