Meet the Parents - (It’s all in the Genes)

Breeding Koi is perhaps the ultimate paradox. On the one hand its one of the easiest things in Koi, after all its a natural process, however, breeding good Koi is an all together different level of challenge and breeding great Koi closes the circle of paradox as that’s probably the most difficult of all things in our beguiling hobby.

The Koi breeders of Japan demonstrate this perhaps best of all. All the good ones are driven individuals, the best of the best, like the best in all sectors of society, business and life are like eagles - you tend to find them one at a time. It’s almost impossible to categorise what it is about Koi breeders that makes them unique, but then after all, if they fitted in conventional pigeon holes they wouldn’t be very special.  All Koi breeders love Koi. But for the best of the best there are some additional, less obvious elements that complete the mix and bridge the gap of profession, vocation and obsession. It’s often said that there is a fine line between genius and madness; there can be few examples that demonstrate the truth of this better than Koi breeders.

Determined to the point of obsession, not highly but totally focused, but perhaps most important of all absolute perfectionists, but more complex than that Koi breeders are perfectionists who have discovered the meaning of compromise.  Every day they are forced to make decisions that on the face of it completely contradict their ‘primer directive’ the reality is, like life, breeding exceptional Koi is a journey of discovery full of starting point but few destinations. Garth Brooks could have written ‘the dance’ for Koi breeders rather than lovers.

Those still reading who might be just a little intrigued the see if this Koi nut has finally lost the plot, stick with it, because this is one of the most amazing American success stories of our generation, for those who think this is an exaggeration, its not and as well try and discover later there is a compelling acid test.  Perhaps most fascinating aspect of this story is that with the exception of a handful of breeders in Japan what’s happening, now, today in a small corner of the southern USA is genuinely unparalleled.

The word unique, like Tategoi is much misused - Scott Purdin is unique. More than 17 years ago he started a journey that he knows he won’t ever complete, and like other genuine innovators that’s a big part of the reason he started in the first place. The challenge of attempting ‘things’ that are seemingly impossible, is exactly what drives Scott Purdin and what makes his story such a compelling journey.

However committed Koi breeders need brood Koi. The problem is that as Koi keepers we may complain about the price of Koi - try buying genuine Oyagoi!  The most expensive Koi on the planet are not the winners of the ZNA or All Japan they are the Oyagoi or parent Koi that produce them. These Koi are generally simply not for sale or even available. Blood remains the single more important element in producing good Koi and an absolute non negotiable prerequisite to breeding great Koi.