Goromo / Koromo Koi

by Richard Lee

(Article reproduced courtesy of the South African Koi Keeper's Society)

Koromo are multi-patterned, non-metallic Koi with the additional feature of a vignette, or scale reticulation. All koromo have a common Asagi bloodline that is crossed with Kohaku, Sanke and Showa to produce the specific members of the group. They are most easily distinguished by simply referring to the position of the vignette with reference to other pattern features.

Also classified with Koromo are doitsu (either kagamigoi, having rows of large scales along the dorsal and lateral lines only; or kawagoi, having almost no scales at all), and kin-gin-rin (rows of brilliantly shining scales along the back). Note that Koromo and Goromo are synonymous.

The photographs depict the major differences of the Koromo and Goshiki which are often confusing to the beginner or untrained eye. Note that the Koromo's hi is robed with clear white, whereas the Goshiki's hi is unrobed with markings on the white.

There are five forms of the Koromo in the classification but of course there are many more possible combinations of creating the robed effect.

Ai-goromo - this is the Asagi crossed with the Kohaku. Ai means indigo blue in Japanese. This Koi has scales with a semi circle of blue imposed on the Hi.

Budo Sanke - Budo means grapes and in this form the term Sanke is used. It is a very rare variant of the Ai-goromo. The effect of the Asagi on the Hi is that one gets clusters of blue and black which create a purple look to the clusters, with Hi showing through here as well as blue and black.

Koromo Sanke - if an Ai-goromo is crossed with the Taisho Sanke then you will have Koromo Sanke.

Koromo Showa - this is the Ai-goromo crossed with the Showa so it could also be called goromo Showa or even just Ai-showa. Although the effect of the Asagi pattern should be restricted to the hi areas, this is by no means always so and you can see Koi in which both the hi and the white area show the Asagi pattern.

Sumi-goromo in this form the blue scales become black and they form scattered patches on the hi rather than neat rows.

Koromo Vignette

Koromo means 'robed' or 'veiled' and refers to the commonest appearance of the vignette on these Koi. The outer third of the area covering each scale tends to carry the darker colour, beginning from an indistinct melding of the colours towards the centre of each scale area, and finishing at the scale edge point as a neat dark blue or black line. It is as though a wash of dark paint has been drawn gently across part of each scale area within hi elements, but has not completely covered them.

Basic principles of Koromo appreciation 

The first appreciation points to be looked for are those common to all varieties. The overall shape or conformation of head, body and finnage must be strong and well proportioned with excellent skin quality: soft, bright, lustrous and smooth looking.

A stepped hi pattern is desirable for Koromo. Hi should be present on the head, but should not be too predominant, it should appear thick, almost painted on.

Homogeneity of colour along the head and body is desirable, although a deeper shading on the head may be expected due to lack of scales in this area. Fins should be clear white, unstained by hi, although red pectoral fin joints (motoaka) are acceptable, if they enhance the general pattern.

Judging criteria of Koromo

Merits:

    Clearly defined robing

    A white ground without blemishes

    Clean fins

    Bold dynamic colour markings

    A smallish odd-shaped or off-centre head markings in Ai-goromo

    The absence of a head marking in Budo goromo

Demerits

    Smudged or incomplete koromo (robing effect)

    Koromo extending beyond the hi pattern into white ground

    Colour markings too small

    Blemished white ground

    Too big a head marking

    Too monotonous a pattern

Koromo have perhaps been undervalued in the past. As a group they combine both elegance and high impact, they are highly individual with great potential for excellence. For many years the Go-Sanke varieties Kohaku, Sanke and Showa have dominated the hobby as they continue to do today, hence the improvement of other less high profile varieties.