While enjoying wildly popular success within Japan and  the rest of Asia, hobbyists from other countries have only recently begun to get a taste of the superb koi that Momotaro produces every year. He may very well be one of Japan’s best-kept secrets in high-class nishikigoi  as far as the European or American collector is concerned.

Koi-Bito traveled to Okayama Prefecture for an exclusive interview with Mr. Michio Maeda, president of Okayama Momotaro Koi in order to bring our readers information straight from the source...the man himself. This interview was conducted after two days of touring the facilities and observing culling and mud pond operations. Taking in the whole picture greatly enabled us to tailor our questions to a man very much focused on achieving his jumbo dreams...
Interview with Maeda-san

- We’ve reached a new age in which jumbo koi are becoming more and more common. Not only large koi, but high-quality ones at that. Could you tell us your thoughts on the subject?

Maeda - Altogether, I think we’ve advanced to a point in keeping technology in which feeding and maintenance of is on a very high level indeed. Further, as far as parents are concerned it’s absolutely paramount to use only those possessing excellent genetics, meaning ones that become big and retain their beauty as well. I think that many koi can be produced now that are capable of growing to 1 meter in a relatively short time.

- You personally are producing tosai of around 50 cm, some of which reach over 70cm as nisai. Do you think that this will become commonplace?

Maeda - Yes, I think it already is. If you employ traditional growing techniques, then what you produce will only be of average size and not particularly jumbo. Tosai of 60cm are possible under good growing conditions. We will most likely have some attaining this size here this year.

- Generally speaking, tosai can be grown very fast...but what we see at your place are not only big tosai, but ones with fantastic bodies as well. What makes the difference?

Maeda - Do you mean the difference in shape? There’s no two ways about it...that’s the influence of the parents. Beyond that, it’s also the results of balanced feeding as well.

- Earlier, you showed us a 73 cm...

Maeda - Ah! The male nisai, right?

- Yes, that’s the one. I had assumed that it was at least 4 years old and female. It has remarkable volume for a two year old.

Maeda - It does, doesn’t it? (smiling)

- What’s the possibility of seeing more examples like this in the future?

Maeda - The possibility definitely exists, but maybe only every couple of years. Even using excellent parents, this is the first time in 9 years that one such as this has been born.