Kokugyo no Saiten 1978 – 10th All Japan Koi Show (国魚の祭典) by Takashi Kuwahara

Kokugyo no Saiten (国魚の祭典) – Festival of the National Fish 1978 – 10th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show Commemorative Book

The commemorative record of the landmark 10th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, published on 30 April 1978 (Showa 53) by Tack Imaging of Urawa, edited and published by Takashi Kuwahara (桑原たかし) with the cooperation of the Zen Nippon Nishikigoi Shinkokai (All Japan Nishikigoi Dealers Association). The original Japanese retail price was ¥9,700.

Kokugyo no Saiten opens with a message from Takeo Kimi (君健男), Governor of Niigata Prefecture and president of the association, celebrating a show that drew 3,399 entries from every corner of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and at which two koi entered from overseas won prizes – an early sign of Nishikigoi becoming an international ornamental fish. The 195 pages present the champion and prize-winning koi of the 10th show in colour, with commentary by Kuwahara and the full results. Text in Japanese.

An early volume in the Kokugyo no Saiten yearbook series and a valuable historical record from the formative years of the modern koi show. Of interest to koi breeders, show judges, koi collectors, Japanese garden enthusiasts and collectors of Japanese exhibition catalogues.

Condition – Very Good

Hardcover bound in gold cloth with black-stamped titling and the publisher’s koi mascot device to the boards and spine. The gold cloth boards show some staining. No slipcase or dust jacket. Internally clean throughout, 195 pages, with bright yellow endpapers and a decorative title page flecked with gold and silver leaf. Binding firm.