Two milestones were achieved at this year's All-Japan Show for Nishikigoi, or ornamental carp, which was held last month in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
The first was as spectacular as it was bizarre: The fish that was named Grand Champion was a giant, literally. While most nishikigoi are around 60 cm in length, Ryujin measured an astonishing 107 cm. She was the biggest champion ever and quite possibly the largest fish of her variety that has ever graced the waters of this planet.
Yet, while it was Ryujin that attracted the fanfare at the meet, a second milestone was also achieved — one that is likely to prove far more significant in the history of nishikigoi-keeping, which has seen declining levels of participation in Japan. For the first time in the All-Japan Show's 45-year history, one of the event's 40 judges was a foreigner.