Taisho Sanke (Taisho Sanshoku) (大正三色 (Taishō Sanshoku))
White with red and black — the second of the Gosanke, named for the Taisho era in which it was established.
Taisho Sanke (Taisho Sanshoku): White base with red markings plus black (sumi) markings placed over the white.
| Pattern (JAS-aligned) | White base with red markings plus black (sumi) markings placed over the white. |
|---|---|
| Colours | White, red and black. Black should sit mainly on the white, not heavily over the red. |
| How to tell it | Count three colours on a white ground. If the black appears as bold patches over white alongside the red, you are most likely looking at a Sanke rather than a Showa. |
The variety in Japanese koi culture
Taisho Sanke — usually shortened to Sanke in English — completes the classic three-colour picture on a white ground. The black of a Sanke is typically crisp, lacquer-like spots resting on the white, which is the single most useful contrast with Showa, where black wraps the body and appears on the head and pectoral fins. Learning Sanke alongside Kohaku gives you the Gosanke framework that Japanese shows, catalogues and the JAS variety definitions all use. The variety rewards patience: both the red and the black can continue to settle as the fish grows.
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.