The goldfish is a member of the carp family — some say it’s related to the Crucian carp, others the Prussian carp. They were originally discovered in China during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE), and the Chinese began selectively breeding them as exotic pets during the 12th century. It was not until the 16th century that they were imported to Japan.
The Edogawa area in Tokyo is a famous breeding ground for goldfish, and every year the ward sponsors a Kingyo Matsuri (Goldfish Festival), which is always held at the beginning of kids’ summer vacation. This year it falls on this weekend.
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