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Bekko Koi

Colors

The Bekko’s sumi markings should be jet black and solid in appearance. White (shiro), red (beni, hi, aka) or yellow (ki) non-metallic Koi with black markings on the body. No black should appear on the head of a Bekko, although small markings are seen occasionally. All fins may carry light black stripes (tejima or tezumi). Black patterns on the body are usually above the lateral lines.

Patterns

The pattern on Bekko Koi is very simple and elegant, with small sumi markings spread evenly over the body.

Head

The head of a Bekko should be free of any sumi markings and the same shade of color as the rest of the Koi. It is difficult to find a Bekko that is “bald” of any pattern on the head; any blemishes are obvious through the skin on the scalp. However, a small sumi marking on the head, for example, may be acceptable if it complements the pattern on the body.

A black tancho marking is sometimes considered attractive on a Bekko Koi, although a Koi with this type of marking would not be classed as a traditional Tancho because Tancho markings have to be red.

Body

A large sumi marking on each shoulder of the Bekko is desirable, as are small clusters of sumi balanced along the length of the Koi’s body. Small, isolated spots of sumi, resembling freckles, are not favored, however, although they often appear, to the detriment of Ki Bekko, in particular.

Tail

The pattern of sumi markings should finish just before the tail in the way that the pattern on a Sanke ends.

Fins

A Bekko’s fins may be either white or have sumi stripes in them, similar to those of the Sanke.

Shiro Bekko

This is a white Koi with sumi markings. The white should be pure and the color of snow. A yellowish head is detrimental as it lacks elegance and gives the fish a dirty appearance. The color should be even over the body of the Koi. Doitsu Shiro Bekko can also be very attractive, particularly when the markings are clearly defined. Large doitsu scales, however, can complicate the elegant simplicity of the pattern.

Aka Bekko

This is a red Koi with sumi markings. (Aka is another word for red). Often the red is of an orange hue; Aka Bekko Koi with a deep red coloration are rarely seen, especially as the color seems to fade as the Koi grows in size.

Ki Bekko

This Koi has a yellow base color with sumi markings The yellow should be of the same hue over the whole body of the Koi. Like Aka Bekko Koi, this is a very rare variety.

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