Sanke

Sanke (Son-Kay); Once known as the Taisho Sanke, or Taisho Sanshuko, Koi of the Sanke variety look very much like Kohaku that have been spattered with ink. As a matter of fact, the two varieties, Sanke and Kohaku, are closely linked and are the only Koi varieties with traceable bloodlines. Exactly when Sanke first appeared is open to debate, but it is known that a Sanke was first exhibited at the Tokyo Exhibition in 1914 by Koi breeder Gonzo Hiroi.

 

However, the breeder who stabilized the strain was Torakichi Kawikame. He spawned a female Hoshino Sanke with a Yagozen Kohaku and the bloodline became known as Torazo, the name of Kawikame's father and the family business.

Today, most Sanke are the product of Torazo and the unrelated Sanba strain, which has since died out. The most famous current bloodlines are Matsunosuke, Jinbei, Sadazo and Kichinai.

 

Matsunosuke Sanke are the joint triumph of Toshio Sakai, who runs the Isawa Nishikigoi center, and his elder brother Toshiyuki, based in Niigata. The bloodline has been reinvigorated with Magoi genes to maximize growth, while retaining quality hi and sumi pigmentation. These Koi, slimly built when young, are increasingly showing Fukurin scalation, which imparts a unique sheen.

 

What to look for in a Sanke

 

A Sanke looks like a Kohaku combined with a Bekko. The hi should be deep and even, and well balanced when viewed without the sumi. On the other hand, the sumi should also be well balanced when viewed separately and should not extend below the lateral line. All the markings should have distinct Sankeedges separating the colors and the skin, which should be a snowy white.

 

Depending on the positioning of the sumi, it can be termed differently. Sumi that overlaps the hi is called kasane sumi whilst tsubo sumi is black on white skin. The latter is preferred more than the former, yet a combination of the two sumi types is most commonly found. Technically, Sanke are not supposed to have any sumi on the head but if the body of the Koi is well patterned, pleasingly placed sumi found forward of the shoulders is not seen as a fault.

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