Kohaku (紅白 (Kōhaku))

The foundation variety — a white body with red markings — and the most celebrated nishikigoi in Japan and at shows worldwide.

Pattern diagram (schematic — checked against the JAS definition, not a photograph)
Kohaku: White base (shiroji) with red (hi) markings only; no black.

Pattern (JAS-aligned)	White base (shiroji) with red (hi) markings only; no black.
Colours	White and red. The quality of the white — clean, snow-like — matters as much as the red.
How to tell it	Look for a balanced red pattern that does not crowd the head, clean edges between red and white, and white that stays bright along the back.

The variety in Japanese koi culture

Kohaku is where the modern nishikigoi story begins: the prototype red-and-white fish was produced in Uchiki, Ojiya, in 1889, and the variety has defined the ideal of pattern balance ever since. The Gosanke — the three great families of koi appreciation — are headed by Kohaku, and a Kohaku bred by Dainichi won the 56th All Japan Koi Show in January 2026 at 100 cm. For beginners the variety teaches the core vocabulary: hi for the red, shiroji for the white ground, and kiwa for the edge where they meet. A good Kohaku is judged not by how much red it carries but by how the red and white hold together along the whole body.

Keeping notes on this page are limited to generally published principles about the variety in Japan. This page gives no diagnosis, no treatment and no prescription for an individual pond or fish. For a fish that looks unwell, contact a veterinarian or your local fisheries office.

Sources: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA — summary in our own words, credit only); All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association official; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Finance Ministry trade statistics as published; Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for nishikigoi variety names and definitions (2022); Niigata Prefecture, Ojiya City, Nagaoka City (Yamakoshi) and Nishikigoi no Sato official; Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) visitor statistics; USDA APHIS and Australian DAFF official import guidance. Checked 6 November 2026.