10"-12" Showa Sanshoku — Select

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Bold, Complex, and Unmistakably Showa

The Showa Sanshoku is one of the “Gosanke” — the Big Three of koi — and for good reason. This 10"–12" Select specimen commands attention with a powerful three-color pattern that feels alive and dynamic. A clean white (shiro) base is interrupted by sweeping patches of deep crimson-red (hi) and bold, inky black sumi that wraps across the body, head, and fins. Unlike the Sanke, the Showa's sumi originates from the black base of the fish, giving the pattern a heavier, more dramatic quality — and this fish delivers that drama in full.

Selected at the Select grade for its strong hi coverage, well-placed sumi, and the bold, high-contrast three-color pattern that makes Showa one of the most sought-after varieties in the hobby.

What Makes This Fish Special

• Classic three-color Showa pattern — white, red, and black in bold, sweeping contrast
• Deep crimson-red (hi) patches with heavy, well-defined black sumi
• Sumi wraps across the head and into the fins — a hallmark of true Showa lineage
• Select grade — chosen for hi intensity, sumi placement, and overall pattern balance
• 10"–12" size — an established fish with fully developed pattern expression

Care Notes

Showa Sanshoku are hardy, adaptable koi that thrive in well-maintained ponds with good filtration and water quality. Feed a color-enhancing diet like Blackwater Color Enhancing to deepen and maintain the red hi pattern. Note that sumi on Showa can continue to develop and shift as the fish matures — making each fish a living, evolving work of art. Minimum pond size of 1,000 gallons recommended.

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