- Family
- 3rd generation
- Run by
- Teruyuki Hiroi
Marusaka is a Sanke farm that became a metallic specialist. Teruyuki Hiroi, third generation, runs it in Minaminigoro, Ojiya. His father Teruo Hiroi made the name: a Marusaka Sanke won Best in Variety at the All Japan Nishikigoi Show in 1980, the line has been called Marusaka Sanke ever since, and its mark is shiny, almost translucent white skin.
Teruo's own account is worth knowing. At sixteen he bought a Jinbei Sanke parent from Izumiya, a relative, and after two years of Sanke-to-Sanke crosses that went nowhere he put a Kohaku male over his Sanke female. The result was the fish that won in 1980. Miyakoya, which founded the first koi wholesale market in Niigata, is also family, so the Hirois came into koi naturally when Teruo's father Teruchiyo started the farm in the postwar boom.
Today the Sanke are still made, but most of the output is Hikarimono and Hikarimoyo: Kujaku, Kikusui, Kin Ki Utsuri, Kikokuryu and Beni Kikokuryu, Lemon Hariwake, Ginrin Chagoi, plus Doitsu Kohaku and Doitsu Sanke. Marusaka is also one of very few Niigata farms breeding Midorigoi.
If you want a bright metallic with real body from a family with a Sanke pedigree, this is the farm. ChampKoi imports koi from Marusaka.
History
Teruo bought his Jinbei Sanke parent from Izumiya, a relative, at sixteen. After two years of Sanke-to-Sanke crosses that went nowhere he put a Kohaku male over the Sanke female, and that cross made the line.
- 1950s Teruchiyo Hiroi starts the farm in Minaminigoro, Ojiya, during the postwar koi boom. The family is related to Miyakoya and Izumiya.
- 1980 A Sanke bred by Teruo Hiroi, from a Kohaku male crossed to his Jinbei Sanke female, wins Best in Variety at the All Japan Nishikigoi Show. The line has been called Marusaka Sanke ever since.
- Early 2000s The farm, by now heavily into metallic varieties, begins breeding Midorigoi.
- Today Teruo's eldest son Teruyuki heads the farm, having joined after a year of training.
Awards & Recognition
All Japan Nishikigoi Show Best in Variety 1980 (Taisho Sanke)
Want a Marusaka koi we don't have listed?
Tell Tom the variety, size and budget. He buys at the farm in Japan at harvest and will look for one on the next trip.