Kokugyo no Saiten 1985 – 17th All Japan Koi Show (国魚の祭典) by Zen Nippon Nishikigoi Shinkokai

Kokugyo no Saiten (国魚の祭典) – Festival of the National Fish 1985 – 17th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show Commemorative Book

A handsome Japanese commemorative volume recording the 17th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, compiled by the Zen Nippon Nishikigoi Shinkokai (All Japan Nishikigoi Dealers Association) and published on 5 September 1985 (Showa 60) by Tack Imaging Ltd. of Urawa, Saitama. The original Japanese retail price was ¥18,000, reflecting the quality of the production.

The All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show is often described as the world championship of koi. The 1985 show, held at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center, attracted 3,578 entries, including koi from five overseas countries. The book opens with a congratulatory message from Takeo Kimi (君健男), Governor of Niigata Prefecture and president of the association, and presents a colour photographic record of the prize-winning koi, followed by detailed results lists.

The title Kokugyo – “national fish” – is the honorific long given to Nishikigoi in Japan, and the Kokugyo no Saiten yearbooks issued by Tack Imaging form a valuable historical record of champion koi and breeders from the golden era of Japanese koi culture. Text in Japanese.

A desirable reference for koi breeders, show judges, koi collectors, Japanese garden enthusiasts and collectors of Japanese exhibition catalogues.

Condition – Near Fine

Hardcover bound in green cloth with gilt-stamped titling to the front board, spine and rear board, housed in the original publisher’s slipcase. The book is in near fine condition with only minimal handling wear. The slipcase is clean and sound with light handling marks. Internally clean and bright throughout with a firm binding. A previous owner’s inscription in black marker is present on the textured green endpaper.