There’s something magical about koi fish—the way their colors glide through the water like moving paintings, each pattern telling a silent story. To the untrained eye, koi may just look “red and white” or “orange and black.” But to koi keepers, each fish speaks a language of artistry and tradition—a living brushstroke that dates back centuries to Japan’s rice fields and royal gardens.
Welcome to the colorful world of koi classification, where names like Kohaku, Showa, and Sanke don’t just describe color—they describe heritage, symbolism, and style. Let’s decode the koi’s visual vocabulary and learn how to appreciate their patterns like a true pond connoisseur.
1. Kohaku — The Timeless Classic
Ask any koi enthusiast what every pond needs, and they’ll say it starts with a Kohaku. This is the OG of koi—the foundation of all modern varieties. The Kohaku features a pure white body with bold red (hi) markings that can appear as patches, islands, or flowing streaks.
A perfect Kohaku has snow-white skin and deep, even red patterns that look painted on by a master’s brush. Simplicity is its power—just two colors, yet endless elegance.
- Symbolism: Purity, love, and success through balance.
- Fun fact: The Japanese saying “Koi begins and ends with Kohaku” reflects how this variety defines koi beauty standards.
Think of Kohaku as the minimalist masterpiece—the koi equivalent of a red-and-white kimono under a cherry blossom sky.
2. Taisho Sanke — The Elegant Trio
Next up: Taisho Sanke (often just “Sanke”). Imagine a Kohaku, but with black accents like ink calligraphy dancing on a white canvas. Sanke combine white, red, and black in a refined balance that’s both striking and sophisticated.
The black markings (called sumi) should appear only above the lateral line—that’s the koi version of a “don’t cross this fashion line” rule. The clean, high-contrast look makes the Sanke one of the most popular koi in Japan and around the world.
- Color palette: Snow white base, red plates, elegant black highlights.
- Symbolism: Balance between strength (black), passion (red), and purity (white).
If Kohaku is a classic ballad, Sanke is a jazz trio—harmonious, balanced, and beautifully expressive.
3. Showa Sanshoku — The Bold Performer
While Sanke are delicate and graceful, Showa are dramatic and powerful. The Showa Sanshoku (literally “three-colored Showa”) has the same three hues as Sanke—red, black, and white—but in reverse emphasis. Showa have a black base with bold red and white markings layered on top, creating deep, dynamic contrast.
The best Showa feel alive with energy—their sumi markings wrap around the body like brushstrokes of ink, symbolizing resilience and determination. They’re the koi you can’t stop watching; they own the pond like a performer under a spotlight.
- Key difference: In Showa, black covers the whole body (including below the lateral line), while in Sanke it stays above it.
- Symbolism: Strength, endurance, and the harmony of opposites.
Showa are the koi world’s rock stars—bold, confident, and impossible to ignore.
4. Utsurimono — The Yin and Yang of Koi
If you love contrast, you’ll adore the Utsurimono group. These koi feature a jet-black base overlaid with a second color—either white (Shiro Utsuri), red (Hi Utsuri), or yellow (Ki Utsuri).
Their dramatic, mirror-like patterns create an almost hypnotic visual balance. The black seems to flow through the koi like shadows on water, embodying perfect duality.
- Shiro Utsuri: Black and white—pure elegance, like living ink and snow.
- Hi Utsuri: Black and red—fierce and fiery.
- Ki Utsuri: Black and yellow—rare and radiant.
In Japanese symbolism, black represents protection and mystery—so Utsuri koi are both guardians and enigmas of the pond.
5. Bekko — The Simplicity of Speckled Beauty
The Bekko is the minimalist cousin of the Utsuri. It features a solid-colored body (white, red, or yellow) with small black spots scattered across the back—like ink drops on silk.
While not as flashy as some varieties, Bekko koi are admired for their clean lines and calming presence. They’re the quiet beauty in a pond full of loud personalities.
- Shiro Bekko: White body with black spots—simple, refined.
- Aka Bekko: Red body with black spots—warm and earthy.
- Ki Bekko: Yellow body with black spots—sunny and cheerful.
Bekko koi are the haiku of the pond world—short, subtle, and deeply satisfying.
6. Ogon — The Metallic Monarchs
If subtlety isn’t your thing, behold the Ogon. These koi are solid metallic colors—gold, platinum, orange, or cream—and they shine like living bullion. Under sunlight, an Ogon glows so intensely it’s as if it swallowed the sun.
- Yamabuki Ogon: Brilliant gold—symbol of wealth and prosperity.
- Platinum Ogon (Purachina): Shimmering white—symbol of purity and perfection.
- Orenji Ogon: Metallic orange—radiant and energetic.
Ogon koi are the show cars of the pond—polished, gleaming, and impossible to miss.
7. Asagi and Shusui — The Gentle Blue Dreamers
For something truly serene, look to the blue koi. Asagi are among the oldest koi types, with blue net-like scales on the back and red-orange on the belly and fins. Their calm, sky-toned hues evoke peace and harmony.
Shusui are the mirror-scaled (doitsu) versions—sleek and smooth with a clean line of blue scales down the back. Both types look like reflections of dawn light on water—subtle, graceful, and endlessly peaceful.
- Symbolism: Tranquility, balance, and clarity of mind.
If Kohaku is fire, Asagi is air—soft, cool, and endlessly soothing to watch.
8. Goshiki and Beyond — The Modern Masterpieces
For those who crave complexity, Goshiki (meaning “five colors”) delivers. These koi combine red, white, black, blue, and gray in intricate, metallic mosaics that shift color with the light. They’re living kaleidoscopes—no two ever alike.
Modern breeders continue to create new varieties—metallic Showa, doitsu (scaleless) versions, and Gin Rin (sparkly-scaled) forms that shimmer like gemstones. The koi world is always evolving, blending traditional beauty with fresh innovation.
Koi colors aren’t just decoration—they’re a language. Every pattern, every hue, every shimmer tells a story of balance, heritage, and beauty. From the pure simplicity of Kohaku to the fiery drama of Showa, koi embody the perfect harmony between art and nature.
In short: when you gaze into your pond, you’re not just looking at fish—you’re looking at centuries of culture and craftsmanship, swimming in living color. Whether you prefer the calm blue of Asagi or the gold brilliance of Ogon, your koi’s colors don’t just brighten your pond—they enrich your soul.