A Japan Photo per Day

Hungry Japanese Koi

Aug 4, 2011 | 85 feedbacks »

The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental varieties of the common carp. Extremely popular in Japan, you can see them everywhere, in small aquariums inside the restaurants or in temple ponds and park lakes.
Actually, koi, written in kanji 鯉 or in katakana コイ, means just “carp"　and the proper name for the ornamental variety is nishikigoi - 錦鯉 or ニシキゴイ - “brocade carp".
But the word koi, written 恋 also means “in love” and because of this the Japanese carp is also a symbol of love and friendship.

I saw in Japan huge koi, like those from New Otani, and I understand that they are about 50 years old… But they can live a lot longer, it was scientifically verified that a koi named Hanako lived 226 years, between 1751 and 1977!

During winter, the koi eat just algae from the bottom of the lakes, but during summer they become gluttonous. I took this photo at a temple from Ueno, from a small bridge, probably exactly the place where they are usually fed. When they sensed me on that bridge, they started swarming and jumping, eagerly awaiting the food…

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Japanese Koi
Japanese Koi

Info:

Nikon D90
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 18mm
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/320s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200

Photo participating to Travel Photo Thursday

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Scenic Spot, Priest Rankei’s Juniper trees


 
 


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icon angelacorrias
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan #Japan
08/11/11 @ 20:34
icon shorbet
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/09/11 @ 19:50
icon Aerisabel
tweeted:
Esto me trae tantos recuerdos! [link] vía @Muzachan
08/09/11 @ 11:19
icon GoyaRepublic
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/09/11 @ 04:57
icon purplehayz
tweeted:
A #Japan photo per day - Hungry Japanese koi [link]
08/09/11 @ 00:50
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Jenna:
Thank you :)

@Cheryl Howard:
Thank you :)
08/08/11 @ 23:40
 Cheryl Howard · http://cherylhoward.com
I love koi! Very pretty photo of them.
08/08/11 @ 23:15
icon eileenludwig
tweeted:
RT @sichree23: A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/07/11 @ 07:43
icon sichree23
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/07/11 @ 01:40
 Jenna · http://thisismyhappiness.com
I never would have guessed they can live so long! I was in Japan just for a few days but loved it. I will be back to check out more of your photos!
08/06/11 @ 18:30
icon 2Backpackers
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/06/11 @ 16:27
icon 808armada
tweeted:
I know the garden. I can just waste the day away watching them swim. ^_^ AJPPD - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/06/11 @ 12:47
icon backpackforever
tweeted:
RT @sophier: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/06/11 @ 00:58
icon SophieR
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/06/11 @ 00:57
icon nispell
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 16:48
icon yamada25
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 11:50
icon SmackSmog
tweeted:
RT @ThePondCompany: A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 07:48
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Steve:
Thank you :)

@Michael Figueiredo:
Thank you :)

@Lea:
Thank you :)
08/05/11 @ 07:24
icon ThePondCompany
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 07:09
 Lea · http://pondways.com
:) Your Koi are so Beautiful! Great shot!
08/05/11 @ 07:05
 Michael Figueiredo · http://struxtravel.com
I love koi ponds! Great shot! :)
08/05/11 @ 06:21
icon StruxTravel
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 06:20
icon TravelOTC
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi : [link] #TOTC_Photo
08/05/11 @ 04:00
 Steve Email · http://www.pondways.com
I just posted a link to this site on our Facebook Page. You really have a great photo! I'm also putting your site onto our blog. Our Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pondways/145128888884866
08/05/11 @ 01:05
icon SmackSmog
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/05/11 @ 00:59
icon TravelThruSD
tweeted:
Beautiful shot! @Muzachan A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 23:48
icon Giaduzz
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 22:46
icon Shirokij
tweeted:
They are so vivid and colorful! > A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 22:43
icon TravelingWithS
tweeted:
Love the symbolism! RT @MuzachanA Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 20:51
 Mark Esguerra
on-Google+:
I never knew koi could live that long! Hanako living to 226 years old is unreal! ;-P Great post, thanks for sharing! ;-)
08/04/11 @ 19:11
icon argentbeauquest
tweeted:
RT @asiaimages RT @Muzachan Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 18:18
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Leigh:
Thank you. Lucky that there are no such predators in the Japanese gardens ^_^
08/04/11 @ 17:42
icon siberex
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 17:41
icon japanesqueUSA
tweeted:
A bit of info about the #Japanese #Koi from Muza-chan.net [link]
08/04/11 @ 17:33
 Leigh · http://hikebiketravel.com
Great colours in that shot.
I have tried to keep koi (which are expensive to buy)in my pond but the local blue heron thinks of them as sushi.
08/04/11 @ 17:17
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Raymond @ Man On The Lam:
Me too... :)
08/04/11 @ 16:58
 Raymond @ Man On The Lam Email · http://www.manonthelam.com
I love koi!
08/04/11 @ 16:53
icon japanscrises
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi: The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental vari... [link]
08/04/11 @ 14:38
icon Tokaidin
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 14:10
icon Ramza_TM
tweeted:
Une petite carpe nippone au menu de ce midi ? [link]
08/04/11 @ 13:33
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Japan Australia:
The bigger they are, the more decorative they get :)

@David @ Ogijima:
I like them a lot too...

@RyukyuMIke:
Thank you, Mike :)
08/04/11 @ 11:48
icon asiaimages
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 11:39
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:38
icon ririchania
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 11:31
icon ririchania
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:29
icon ririchania
tweeted:
RT @RyukyuMike: A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #TPThursday #Travel #Photography #Fish Bursting with colorful fishes !
08/04/11 @ 11:28
icon RyukyuMike
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #TPThursday #Travel #Photography #Fish Bursting with colorful fishes !
08/04/11 @ 11:23
 RyukyuMIke · http://www.mikesryukyugallery.com
Beautiful colors in this action photo !
08/04/11 @ 11:21
icon sailorcalypso
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:04
icon Preda2005
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 11:04
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:03
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:02
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link] #Japan #photo
08/04/11 @ 11:02
icon Nipponcity
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 11:00
 David @ Ogijima Email · http://ogijima.com
I love Koi. I love Koi when there's only one who gracefully swims in the water, and I love Koi when there's a bunch who behave like a pack of drunk and riotous punks.
08/04/11 @ 10:35
icon jcexplorer
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 10:22
icon nooig
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi: The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental varieties of the common carp. Extr... [link]
08/04/11 @ 10:20
 Japan Australia · http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
I love Japanese koi and I have seen some really big ones around :)
08/04/11 @ 10:00
icon UNbbslocalpanda
tweeted:
The carp in Japan is very beautiful. I want U all over the world to read this article. RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 09:01
icon superlasteves
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan Hungry Japanese Koi [link] -- adorable japanese kois
08/04/11 @ 08:50
icon superlasteves
tweeted:
RT Muzachan Muza-chan Hungry Japanese Koi [link] --- cute Japanese Kois
08/04/11 @ 08:50
icon nina5478
tweeted:
says [link] https://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=muza-chan.net http://muza... http://plurk.com/p/dfggjw
08/04/11 @ 08:44
icon nina5478
tweeted:
[link] [link]
08/04/11 @ 08:44
icon wonderoflight
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 08:23
icon 6__d
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi [link] RT @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 08:09
icon diegomiyabisama
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 07:44
icon japanobserver
tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 07:12
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 06:52
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 06:11
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RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 05:40
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RT: “@Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 05:24
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tweeted:
Hungry Japanese Koi: The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental varieties of… [link]
08/04/11 @ 04:38
icon nurichan
tweeted:
We have a koi garden at suntec mall n they are humungous!! ほんま！ RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 04:23
icon mikomikomaimai
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:54
icon JoannaTanChong
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:51
icon FelipeNasca
tweeted:
Uau! Segundo este post houve uma carpa que viveu 226 anos no Japão: [link]
08/04/11 @ 03:43
icon Toshogu
tweeted:
Yes I am hungry RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 03:30
icon RekishinoTabi
tweeted:
Like these koi, I am hungry!!! RT @Muzachan Hungry Japanese Koi [link] Very nice capture!
08/04/11 @ 03:28
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tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Hungry Japanese Koi [link] vía @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:27
icon Monoreach
tweeted:
RT @2Backpackers: Hungry Japanese Koi: The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental varieties of the com... [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:23
icon imkfj
tweeted:
It does happen just as described. Like shark feeding frenzy. Beautiful. RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 03:20
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 03:20
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nomnomnomnom RT @Muzachan: Hungry Japanese Koi [link]
08/04/11 @ 03:19
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Hungry Japanese Koi: The Japanese carps - Koi - are vivid colored, ornamental varieties of the com... [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:08
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tweeted:
[Muza-chan] Hungry Japanese Koi [link] /via @muzachan
08/04/11 @ 03:08