Metallic Showa and Utsurimono are classified specifically under Hikariutsuri. These koi are the result of crossing Showa and Utsurimono with Ogon. These koi breeds have become rare since they were first introduced and now are often underrepresented at shows for a few reasons. First, subtle appreciation of the finer points of koi is spreading from Japan to other parts of the world, and serious hobbyists are moving away from the flashier varieties to the more original, classic style koi. Second, while the metallic luster of Hikariutsuri is a plus, it has a tendency tone down hi and sumi, so although these koi sparkle in the pond, their patterning is not always clear-cut or deep in color. This makes koi that overcome this potential drawback very valuable, and efforts have indeed been made to improve the overall quality of Hikariutsuri by back-crossing to their original, nonmetallic half of the partnership.

Kin Showa

All metallic Showa are known as Kin Showa. The metallic luster should appear strong throughout the entire body of the koi. All the key Showa elements should be there as well, such as wraparound sumi, motoguro in the pectoral fins, and the classic intrusion of an interesting black pattern onto the head. Hi and sumi should be as strong and well placed toward the rear of the body as in the area ahead of the dorsal fin, and there must be no congenital deformities.

Ideally, the hi should be crimson as with regular Showa, but it is typically more brownish, reminiscent of that on nonmetallic Showa when they were first developed. However, Showa sumi is particularly strong and can usually hold its own against the toning down effect of the metallic skin. Metallic Kindai Showa (those with lots of white patterning) are particularly striking.

Gin Shiro

A metallic Shiro Utsuri is known as a Gin Shiro. The sharp contrast between the black and white areas of the parent Shiro Utsuri is not present, but the subtle sheen on these koi makes up for this. They look best if bred to the modern taste for limited areas of sumi. All-white pectoral fins, or those with neat motoguro, set off the rest of the fish better than dark fins, which do not contrast so effectively with the metallic luster.

Kin Hi Utsuri

Kin Hi Utsuri are arguably the most successful Hikariutsuri. The red in good specimens is bright crimson, and while the sumi may be toned down, this does mean that any shimis - normally the plague of Hi Utsuri - are less obvious. The pectoral fins - candy-striped black and white with a golden overlay - can practically glow. Head sumi is not generally as well defined as in Shiro Utsuri, and dark nostrils on an otherwise all-read head are a common fault.

Kin Ki Utsuri

The final fish in this classification is the Kin Ki Utsuri - a metallic yellow koi with wraparound sumi. Whether this is a cross between Ki Utsuri and Ogon is doubtful - a more likely parentage would be Yamabuki Ogon/Shiro Utsuri, since matt-scaled Ki Utsuri, although a very old variety, are hardly ever seen in the hobby nowadays. The yellow on these koi is a bright gold, and body sumi on good specimens gives each scale an almost tri colored appearance - dark where it enters the skin, blackish gold in the center and dark again at the rim.

Sub varieties of Hikariutsuri can be Doitsu or Gin-Rin; the latter look as though they are wearing a rich coat of mail with the double reflective qualities of metallic and sparkling scales. Kage patterning is also recognized, but does not affect how they are benched.