Hiban - Beni Plate

[Russell Peters]

Hiban-Beni Plate


Hiban


The ideal Hiban (the base that holds the red skin pigment) which holds Hi (red pigment) must be devoid of patchy irregularities. This type of Hi quality is analogous to a deep paint job: a surface that is coated with numerous layers of red paint would take on a deeply saturated color. During inspection this quality must not be overlooked.

One can judge the quality of Hiban by examining the presence of Sashikomi. It appears as a pinkish border around the Hiban in the direction of the head. Sashikomi is an excellent indicator of the depth of a Hiban. Because Hi penetrates deep into the skin, the white skin color outside the Hiban turns pink to the extent of the depth of Hi underneath.

It is important to choose a Koi with strong Sashikomi. Hiban without Sashikomi could potentially breakdown and disappear. The dorsal side (tail side) of Hiban, is called Kiwa. It is preferable that Kiwa is not vague and irregular, but solid and clearly defined. Properly formed, high quality Beni is elastic, and will have a tendency to contract as the fish grows. Subsequently, the Beni will be pulled toward the root of scales.

This pulling will create the round edge Kiwa, called Maruzome, even if the Kiwa might be undefined and irregular at first. Maruzome is an indicator of a high quality Beni. One must look for Beni and Kiwa and determine if these formations might contract with growth. Maruzome Kiwa cannot be created unless the Beni is elastic.

For the most part, the formation of Hiban is completed in 7~8 years. After its peak period, Hiban starts to deteriorate and sometimes comes apart. This phenomenon is noted usually after a summer time growth period where the fish were well fed.

If the Beni quality is not determined correctly, the investment will be short-lived, not more than 7-8 years. Interestingly, many prize-winning Koi have this type of Hiban. A Beni that develops quickly will have a short life span.

If the Beni is not well mixed and kneaded into its plate, the Hiban will break down and the Beni disappear. As Beni becomes dull and the Hiban deteriorates, white areas at the ends of scales are formed. This leaves behind a patchy, irregular Beni. It is not uncommon for a Koi with much luster and shininess to recover from this tired condition and regain its color and quality of its Hiban.

This is a quote from INC and I thought it would be a good way to get started.

[Russell Peters]

I will be discussing the difference between weak Beni and beni that is changing, or receding, to form Maruzome Kiwa. Here is a pic of Beni that is receding to form Maruzome Kiwa.

The Maruzome Kiwa has already formed on the lower scales and it will form on the upper scales.

[Russell Peters]

There are different types (colors) of Beni. Some are considered better than others but, for the time being, the important thing to learn is how to recognize quality Beni. Quality Beni, no matter the color, no matter what stage of growth it is in should have what is called Nerikome. Nerikome is Beni that is, as Mr. Sakai says, evenly mixed. What this means is that it should be even through out the enitre Hiban plate. If the Beni is light or dark it must be the same through out. The picture in post #3 is of a Kohaku that was taken in February where the Beni had time to fill in after it came out of the fall harvest. When Koi grow very rapidly the beni stretches on the scale because the pigment does not grow as quickly as the body of the Koi. During the winter time, when the Koi's body is not growing, the Beni will fill in the entire scale. Here is a picture of a Koi that has "stretched" and the Beni is light on the perimeter of the scales but darker in the middle. Even though most of the scale is light it is all the same, it has Nerikome. The darker center of the scales are known as "stars".

[Russell Peters]

Here is a closeup of a Hiban plate that shows the growth this Koi went through. You can see how much lighter the scale is around the perimter. The second picture shows the darker "star" in the center of the scale.

[Russell Peters]

Here is a picture of another Sanke to show the enntire body and Hiban plates. This was taken at INC, February 2009.

[Russell Peters]

Here are a couple of before and after pictures of INC Koi that went into our mud ponds. As the Koi grew the Beni stretched and lightened but stay uniform.

[Russell Peters]

Here is the next installment from INC.

Long Lasting Beni


A high-quality Koi is the one that will sustain its beauty for a long time. Its Kiwa will develop in 10 - 15 years. Many hobbyists mistakenly focus on the presence or development of Kamisori-Kiwa or Maruzome-Kiwa in the young to medium aged fish.

The high quality Koi, however, is the one that will develop its Kiwa slowly, over a long period of time. Along the same lines, when Beni is of high quality, even if its Kiwa seems soft and undefined, eventually Hiban will be pulled toward the head, and Maruzome-Kiwa, in a shape of scales, will be formed simply by the elastic surface tension of the Beni. Beni literally means red pigment in Japanese. Using the analogy of Beni as paint, it can be experienced that when one paints surfaces with thin paint he/she will experience the pigment spreading smoothly over the surface.

Painting over a surface many times with lightweight painting will result in an even tone surface color with depth and saturation as the result.

Hard paint will not spread smoothly and will leave an uneven surface color and texture. This concept can be applied to Beni. As a pigment, it must have soft even quality, which seems almost wet and elastic like a wet painted surface. Beni will eventually contract and relocate in this type of Koi. It varies from Koi to Koi, but in general, elastic Beni develops its Maruzome from the lower part or from the belly towards the spine.

Nishiki Koi appraisal varies depending on one's purpose and breed of Koi. In general knowing how to determine Beni quality is the most important element in Koi appraisal. Large beautiful Koi develops Fukurin. Although Fukurin cannot be seen during the Tosai period, it becomes noticeable as it develops in width by the 2nd and 3rd year.

As Koi grows and becomes larger, the width of Fukurin can be even wider than the width of the scales on the fish. This creates an increasingly shiny and beautiful appearance. Beni in Hiban also starts to shine with luster affected by the development of Fukurin in Beni.

The difference between cotton and silk is obvious in shininess. The shininess of silk is caused by its smooth texture. In evaluating different qualities of Hiban, comparison based on Beni color alone can be difficult, but a careful inspection of the shiny luster of Beni helps choosing a long lasting Hiban with the quality like 100% silk. Koi are ultimately judged by the professionals by the quality of Hiban.

[Russell Peters]

One of the important things to remember about quality, and long lasting Beni, is that it just doesn't arrive and then stay there. It is something that develops over time and can even look bad some times. Mr. Sakai calls this type of Beni "professional" Beni as it is usually the professionals that know to wait for it. Patience, and education, are really important at this level. I have seen people give up on a Koi too soon as they are worried that these changes actually equate to failure.

[Russell Peters]

Here is a Kohaku that was purchased, as a 22" Nisai from INC. It has very nice skin and good quality Beni. After it was purchased arrangements were made to keep it in Japan for a seaon in the mud.

[Russell Peters]

When I first saw this Kohaku I looked at the area that connects the Hiban plate on the head and the one just behind it and thought that it was a thin enough connection that it might open up and become a 3-step Kohaku. Watch what happens as this Koi develops.