Camellia Koi Club

Goromo

From “Selecting Goromo” by Galen Hansen, originally printed in KOI USA magazine

AKCA Certified Judge and club member Garry Chin discussed Goromo at the January meeting. He used this koi of Marilee’s as a starting point. Definition: “A Goromo is a white koi with a Kohaku hi pattern, with each hi scale outlined in either black or blue.” The word Goromo actually means “robed” in Japanese, referring to the individual red scales being outlined or “robed” with blue or black. This results in a reticulated scale pattern on the red scales (Ai Goromo). If the sumi and hi blend to form purple/maroon, the result is Budo Goromo or Sumi Goromo.

Colors: “The white must be clean and uniform, as white as snow….If the edges of the red and white scales are blurred, ie not sharp, the quality suffers.” “Each red scale should be free of any other specks of color [apart from the ai or sumi].” In a Budo or Sumi Goromo, “the net-like reticulated pattern which marks the beauty of the Ai Goromo may be eliminated. This...makes the Ai Goromo the more elegant of the two.”

Pattern: “The criteria for the Goromo pattern is exactly the same as Kohaku…. Ideal is a symmetrical but not monotonous pattern and not lopsided. A large pattern is preferred to a small one. Preferably the hi should not go to the nose or tail, not go below the lateral line, not touch the eyes or go into the fins, and have no windows. It is acceptable to have hi at the bases of the pectoral fins.” Ai Goromo should have only red and white on the head; Sumi Goromo may have sumi on the head hi.

Selection: “Sumi tends to grow larger as a koi grows (unlike hi). So if you acquire a perfectly marked small Ai Goromo with beautifully reticulated scales, as the koi grows the sumi tends to become overbearing. Thus it is better to buy a small Goromo with poorly developed reticulated scales because as the koi grows to four or five years old, the sumi on the scales may become more pronounced. This may result in ideal color and lacelike pattern to the hi….A male Goromo will finish before a female Goromo, usually by age four or five. Besides trying to predict how well the reticulated scales will develop, the white must be clean of specks and must be snow-white. As other koi, it is the head which will be the first white which will show yellowish or brownish discoloration. For the pattern, remember that the hi does not grow in proportion to the koi.”

Judging: “It is the reticulated scales (of the Ai Goromo) or the deep uniform sumi on hi (of Sumi or Budo Goromo) which is of prime importance in judging the Goromo, together with the clean white; pattern is secondary.”

Other Goromo Photos: