Mitsunori Isa of Isa Koi Farm opens up

Whether you’ve raised Japanese Koi for years or just started, no doubt you’ve heard of Isa Koi Farm. Due to the popularity of Showa, many breeders specialize in this variety, but few are as famous as Isa Koi Farm. Along with Dainichi Koi Farm and Suzusei Koi Farm, Mitsunori Isa is definitely one of the top Showa breeders. Mr. Hajime Isa, the farm’s founder, was a former chief of Niigata district of Zen Nippoin Nishikigoi Shinkokai, or the All Japan Nishikigoi Breeders Association. He contributed to the industry as both a breeder and a leader. I am fortunate to have his Nidaime, or successor, for this interview, Mr. Mitsunori Isa.

Taro: When was Isa Koi Farm founded?
Mitsunori: My father started it when I was born, so that would be around 1970-71.
Taro: So, Isa Koi Farm is 38 years old and your
father is the founder.
Mitsunori: Yes. Some breeders in Niigata have been here for generations. There are many third and fourth generation Koi breeders. In that sense, our farm is still young.
Taro: I know your Showa is great, but do you breed other varieties, too?
Mitsunori: Yes, we do. We breed Kohaku and Sanke, in addition to Showa.
Taro: I know many breeders produce five or more varieties to make more options available to dealer customers. But you focus only on Gosanke (Kohaku, Sanke and Showa). Why?
Mitsunori: We think it is better to focus on what we are good at. We would rather concentrate to improve our Showa instead of breeding okay quality Koi.
Taro: How many pairs do you have?
Mitsuhiro: I think we have somewhere between 15 to 20 pairs; 60% are Showa.

Taro: How many fry do you release to the mud ponds?
Mitsuhiro: It is about 1,000,000 fry for Kohaku, Sanke and Showa.
Taro: When did you join the farm?
Mitsunori: When I was 20 years old, so I have been working for almost 17 years.
Taro: Did you work for other breeders as training?
Mistunori: No, it was not like that. I had another job in Tokyo that had nothing to do with Koi. I knew it was my destiny to go into the family business, and once I did that, I knew I would live in Niigata for the rest of my life. I wanted to go to
Tokyo and experience something different.
Taro: So, after you came back from Tokyo, you started breeding Koi with your father. Any memory of hardship?
Mitsunori: Breeding Koi is nothing but hardship. It comes one after another. It simply does not go to our satisfaction, you know.
Taro: Then, how about happy memories?
Mitsunori: Harvest time. I would be happy when Koi that I have a special fondness for goes on its way up at Koi shows, or when such Koi turn out very nice at my customers’ places.
Taro: You mentioned Koi that you developed a special feeling for. Which Koi were you most fond of?
Mitsunori: She won at the class of 80 Bu/32in over at Nogyosai (All Niigata Koi Show) in 2003. Of course, this is also Isa Showa. She was one of the parents at our farm. Unfortunately, she died last year.
Taro: It is a shame to lose this kind of Koi. How long did you use her as a parent?
Mitsunori: About 5 years.
Taro: What did you like about her the most?
Mitsunori: Well, her quality was outstanding. But
the best was her body conformation.
Taro: How big was this Koi?
Mitsunori: When she died, almost 1m/40in.
Taro: No wonder your Koi always have strong builds. They are definitely getting their body from her.
Mitsunori: Thank you for saying that. I really want
to pass this body to the following generations.
Taro: You are both the son and apprentice of Mr. Hajime Isa, owner of Isa Koi Farm. Do you, or did you, have any difficulty in communication? Any
arguments about Koi breeding?
Mitsunori: Of course, we used to, but not recently. He has been leaving things to me pretty much. I have been in charge of breeding for the last 10 years. Before I realized it, most of the business had been left up to me.
Taro: What is your goal now?
Mitsunori: I want to breed Koi that are full of impact. Not just beautiful Koi, but Koi with strong character that remains in people’s memory.

Taro: Do you have any Koi that you admire?
Mitsunori: It is a little old, but “Loran” a Kohaku, and “Kato Showa” from Dainichi. I still remember the shock I felt the first moment I saw these Koi.
Taro: Thank you for your time today. You definitely have been reinforcing the brand value of Isa Koi Farm successfully