Nishikigoi (fancy carp) - Nishikigoi (English spelling)

Japanese: ニシキゴイ(錦鯉) - ニシキゴイ（英語表記）fancy carp

A general term for carp varieties that have been selected and bred for their excellent characteristics, such as color, markings, and luster, from wild carp Cyprinus carpio for ornamental purposes. In the past, they were called Irogoi (colored carp), Kawarigoi (unusual carp), and Hanagoi (flower carp), but in recent times they have been unified as Nishikigoi (colored carp). The majority of Nishikigoi have been bred and improved since the Edo period in reservoirs scattered in the mountains around the former 20 villages centered around Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture. It is said that Nishikigoi became known to the general public in 1914, when a Kohaku variety was exhibited by Higashi Village, Niigata Prefecture, at the Tokyo Taisho Exposition held in Ueno Park and was well received.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

観賞を目的として野生のコイCyprinus carpioから色彩，斑紋，光沢などの優れた形質を選抜，育成したコイの品種の総称。かつてイロゴイ(色鯉)，カワリゴイ(変り鯉)，ハナゴイ(花鯉)などと呼ばれていたが，最近ではほぼニシキゴイ(錦鯉)に統一されている。新潟県小千谷市を中心とした旧20村郷付近の山地に散在する溜池を利用して江戸時代から飼育，改良されたものがその主流をなしている。ニシキゴイが一般に知れわたったのは，1914年，上野公園で開催された東京大正博覧会に新潟県東村から紅白(コウハク)が出品されて好評を博して以来といわれている。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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