Carp (Koi)
The king of freshwater fish, prized for food and ornamental purposes
Carp are freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family. They are widely distributed in the temperate zone of the Eurasian continent, and transplanted carp have become wild in North America and Australia. Since fossils of the genus Cyprinus have been excavated in Germany and China, it is thought that these regions are the origins of this species, but the theory that carp came from China is more convincing because of the fossils' connection with extant species.
In Japan, nogoi (wild carp) and the farmed cultivar Yamatogoi (Yamato carp) are collectively called magoi (true carp). The body length of true carp can reach 80 cm, but it is usually about 40 cm. They are similar to crucian carp but have four barbels (fleshy filaments hanging from the corners of the mouth). Wild true carp are stout and wide, with a greenish-brown back and a golden color on the sides. Yamato carp are tall and thin. True carp live in ponds, swamps, and in the middle and lower reaches of slow-flowing rivers, and are omnivorous.
Carp are one of the most important edible fish among freshwater fish and are also actively cultivated. They are enjoyed as koikoku (round sliced carp stewed in miso soup) and arai (carp sashimi), and in Chinese dishes.
Carp with a body color other than black are called irogoi (colored carp), and those with red bodies are called higoi (red carp). For ornamental purposes, different types of carp were selected and bred to create nishikigoi (multicolored carp), also called hanagoi. Multicolored carp were developed in the Yamakoshi region of Niigata prefecture. The main varieties are red and white, Taisho sanshoku (red, white, and black), Showa sanshoku (red and white with a greater admixture of black), and asagi (a bluish upper body and orangish lower body).
In China, carp are prized as the king of freshwater fish, and the carp is an auspicious symbol in paintings and accessories. In a folktale called Deng Longmen, carp went up the Yellow River and crossed the Dragon Gate, thereby becoming dragons, the symbol of success. In a collection of legends titled Youyang zazu (Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang, 9th century), there is the story that a dish of vinegared raw carp flew away as butterflies in a storm. In Japan, carp have been prized since ancient times. If a carp's eyes are covered, it will not jump, so the phrase "carp on a cutting board" (manaita ni noseta koi) means fearless. As a symbol of courage and success, carp streamers are flown on Children's Day on May 5.
In Nihon shoki (Chronicles of Japan), there is an entry that relates the following story: Emperor Keiko proposed to a woman from Mino, but she was shy and hid. To bring her out of hiding, the emperor released a carp into the pond hoping that she might come out to see the carp. And in Tsurezuregusa (Essays in Idleness), there is a reference to carp soup.
Related People, Things and Events
Books
Literary works that feature carps
Related Works
Carp drawings on ceramics
Videos
Photographs of koinobori (carp streamers)
Past Exhibitions
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External Links
錦鯉発祥の地である小千谷市にある展示施設。庭園の池や水槽展示で錦鯉を見られるほか、資料展示も用意される。
国立研究開発法人水産研究・教育機構の旧組織水産庁水産資料館所蔵の資料をデジタル化し公開。「さかなつくし」(歌川広重画、大黒屋版、明治44(1911)年)を閲覧できる。
国立科学博物館が管理する標本・資料データベースの一つ。閲覧画面から淡水魚名を選択し検索。国内での分布情報を知ることができる。
神奈川県内の川や湖でみられる淡水魚の写真入り図鑑。分布・生態・形態など解説は多岐に渡る。
佐久養殖漁業協同組合によるサイト。
国立環境研究所・琵琶湖分室によるサイト。
References
- 日立デジタル平凡社,平凡社
