Is your koi a Kohaku, a Sanke, or a Showa? Start with the colors you can see from above, then look at where the black markings appear. Kohaku has red and white; Sanke and Showa add black. These three named varieties are commonly grouped as Gosanke. Color and pattern can change as a young koi develops, so use the clues below as a starting point rather than judging a fish from one quick glance.
Start with Kohaku: red on white
A Kohaku has a white base with red markings, called hi. It should not have the black pattern that identifies Sanke or Showa. Red areas may form one continuous marking or several separate patches. Those separated patches are often called steps: a two-step pattern is nidan, and a three-step pattern is sandan. You do not need to count steps to recognize a Kohaku; first check for the simple red-and-white combination.
Look for Sanke's three colors
Sanke, also called Taisho Sanke or Taisho Sanshoku, has a white base with red markings and black markings known as sumi. The black often looks like separate spots or patches across the body. A head without black is a useful traditional clue when comparing a Sanke with a Showa, but avoid treating any single marking as a foolproof test on a developing fish.
Look for Showa's black pattern
Showa, or Showa Sanshoku, also combines red, white, and black. Its black is a prominent part of the overall pattern and often reaches onto the head. Rather than focusing on the amount of each color alone, compare how the black seems to wrap through the body with the more separate-looking black patches typical of Sanke. Markings can develop over time, so an individual fish may not match a tidy textbook example.
A quick comparison at the pond
- Red and white, without black pattern: start with Kohaku.
- Red, white, and separate-looking black markings: consider Sanke.
- Red, white, and more extensive black, often including the head: consider Showa.
Take another look as the fish swims past in good light. A clear view of the head and both sides helps more than a split-second glimpse from above. If the pattern is still ambiguous, describe what you can actually see rather than forcing a variety name.
What do the pattern terms mean?
Hi refers to red and sumi to black. When enthusiasts discuss a red marking, sashi and kiwa describe different edges of that color area. Those terms are useful when talking about pattern detail, but you can identify the broad Gosanke groups without evaluating show quality.
The simplest takeaway: identify the colors first, then study the placement and character of the black. For everyday care after you have identified your fish, see Keeping Koi and Pond Fish. Explore more pond-care guides in the PondScape Learning Center.