Defining Nishikigoi: Japanese Koi Fish

The name, “Nishikigoi” was a term first used as far back as 200 years ago in a village from the Niigata prefecture in Japan. The first Nishikigoi was produced by farmers breeding black carp (or Magoi) as a food source to survive severe winter weather conditions, the result born from this was a vibrantly coloured carp with an admirable figure that stood out from the rest with its rare beauty. As awareness grew, many started to appreciate Nishikigoi like a fine work of art.

Koi is a homophone for another word that means “affection” or “love” in Japanese; koi are symbols of love and friendship in Japan among many other symbols. Koi are becoming a universal symbol of peace all over the world.

By the Heian period (794-1185), koi fish were already popular and kept by nobles in Japan. The nobles enjoyed feeding their koi with “Fu“, which was treated as a precious food source and is still eaten by people today. Koi were said to calmly come up to the surface when they sprinkled the Fu, never scrambling in greed. Sharing both the precious Fu and observing the modest behaviour of the fish, people nurtured a peace in their heart. This was a gentleness that could be passed along from child to child, and has been ever since. In the present, it is rather hard to find a country that has no koi hobbyists in it. People all over the world are attracted by the koi’s “peaceful” and “friendly” characteristics. The therapeutic effects of observing and interacting with fish is widely cherished, watching them swim is melodic and relaxing. Since koi are freshwater fish, you can create a relaxing koi fish garden almost anywhere.