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Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA)

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: Zen Nippon Airinkai (全日本愛鱗会, ZNA) is an international nishikigoi hobbyist organization headquartered in Beppu, Oita, Japan, that promotes koi keeping, trains certified judges, and sanctions koi shows worldwide.[1][2]
Zen Nippon Airinkai (全日本愛鱗会, ZNA) traces its origin to the Oita Airinkai koi club, founded on 11 February 1962 in Beppu, Oita, by Dr. Kuroki Takeo, MD.[1][2] The club's activities spread across Japan and it developed first into Nishinihon Airinkai in western Japan before becoming the nationwide Zen Nippon Airinkai on 11 May 1968, with chapters in all Japanese prefectures.[2][1]ZNA has been authorized by the Japanese government as a Shadan Hojin (Corporate Juridical Person) since 26 September 1983, and as an Ippan Shadan Hojin since 1 April 2013.[1] Its stated purpose is to contribute to the enrichment of Japanese culture and the improvement of people's artistic sentiments by promoting nishikigoi keeping, guiding appreciation, and pursuing beauty in the fish.[1]According to the US-based ZNA America regional district, Dr. Kuroki's wider goal was to build international friendship among members through nishikigoi, summarized in the motto “Friendship through scales.”[5][6]

History and leadership

The organization has been led by a succession of chairmen since its founding. Dr. Kuroki Takeo served as chairman from 1962 to 1991, followed by Ryo Kamiya (1992–1993), Natsuji Anabuki (1994–1998), Jitsuo Takeda (1999–2001), Masao Okabe (2002–2003), Masao Kato (2004–2007), Nobuo Takigawa (2008–2011), Keiichi Iwahashi (2012–2015), Muneaki Bajo (2015–2017), Masaaki Nakajima (2017–2021), and Daishiro Shirasaka (2021–2025).[2] The current chairman is Asada Yasuhiko, who took the position in June 2025.[1]Dr. Kuroki also traveled internationally to promote nishikigoi keeping and published numerous books on the subject, laying groundwork for the hobby's global spread.[2]

Structure and activities

ZNA's head office and registered address are in Beppu, Oita, Japan.[1] The association states its main activities as organizing koi shows and competitions, conducting study and research on nishikigoi, promoting and guiding nishikigoi keeping, providing social services through nishikigoi, fostering international goodwill, and publishing members' magazines and books.[1]Internally, ZNA is organized into divisions. The Promotion & Publish Division handles association management, publications, social services, and finance. The Koi Show Division operates and advises on koi shows, including the All Japan Show. The International Division manages overseas chapters and friendship clubs, arranges judge exchanges, and promotes nishikigoi internationally. The Koi Keeping Division conducts research on nishikigoi keeping and guidance against fish diseases. The Appreciation & Judge Division provides instruction in nishikigoi appreciation and judging and holds judging seminars.[7]

Judges and judging standards

ZNA maintains a formal judge program with tiers including Local Certified Judge, Assistant Certified Judge, Certified Judge, and Honorary Certified Judge, governed by a Judge Program and Judging & Seminar Registered Member (JSRM) scheme.[8] Candidates must meet minimum requirements and apply by set deadlines ahead of council meetings; the Judge Qualifying Council is described as the only and final authorization to approve judge status.[8]ZNA judges are expected to develop sound character, deep knowledge of nishikigoi, and strong appreciation skills, to act as representatives of ZNA and their chapters, to be familiar with the organization's history and rules, and to refrain from conduct that could be seen as business dealing in other people's fish while judging.[8]ZNA-standard judging is used beyond Japan; for example, South Africa's SAKKS KZN Chapter hosts a national show judged under ZNA standards, where koi such as Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa are scored on pattern, conformation, and skin quality.[9]

Variety classification for shows

ZNA notes that there are no fewer than a hundred nishikigoi varieties, including many pattern variations, but for purposes of appreciation and show entry it divides nishikigoi into 17 varieties.[3] Varieties 1 through 5 compete in Group 1 and varieties 6 through 17 in Group 2 for the ZNA Zipangu Prize, with six extra categories added for male koi over 50 cm (about 20 in).[3] This contrasts with other bodies' category counts, as discussed on the page covering how koi varieties are classified.According to the English-language Wikipedia, ZNA has for many years disallowed butterfly koi from competitive judging, a policy shared by the UK Koi Judges Association, while the American body AKCA reportedly developed separate standards for judging butterfly koi.[10]

Shows

ZNA states that it played a foundational role in organizing modern koi shows. According to ZNA America, the first major Japanese hobbyist show was held in Beppu in 1966 under the earlier western Nippon Airinkai, and the fourth such show, in 1969, became the first truly national ZNA show; a system of shows across seven Japanese districts subsequently led to the ZNA All Japan Show.[5] ZNA SoCal similarly states that the original Japanese organization began holding major international shows in 1969, now known as the ZNA All Japan Show, and that the coordination of smaller shows into this event led ZNA to develop show protocols, judging criteria, and procedures still used in ZNA-sponsored shows today.[6]Outside Japan, ZNA chapters run long-standing local shows. ZNA Southern California held its 50th annual koi show in Gardena, California, described by organizers as the longest-running show of its kind outside Japan, and the event also hosted the ZNA America Western District show in that year.[11] In Asia, the All Asia Cup in Jakarta, described as the largest koi show in Asia outside Japan, has been organized jointly by the Shinkokai and Zen Nippon Airinkai as a combined show, supported by APKI and local ZNA chapters such as ZNA Bandung and ZNA Surabaya.[12]

Chapters and friendship clubs worldwide

ZNA lists chapters and friendship clubs across the Americas, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and Africa.[4] In North America, listed chapters include the Southern California Chapter (So-Cal), the Northwest Chapter, the Potomac Chapter, the Moto-Kara Koikai Chapter, the Northern Midwest Chapter, the Southern Koi Chapter, the Northern California Chapter, the Tri-State Chapter, the Carolina Chapter, and the Rocky Mountain Chapter, along with a Brazil Chapter in South America.[4]In Oceania, chapters include the Koi Society of Australia, the Australian Koi Association (Sydney Chapter), and the Koi Society of Western Australia.[4] Asian chapters and friendship clubs are listed in Thailand, Hong Kong, Guangdong and Taiwan (several chapters), Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Bandung and Jakarta chapters).[4] In Europe and Africa, listed chapters include the South African Koi Keepers Society, the Dutch Chapter (Nishikigoi Vereniging Nederland), a Belgian Chapter, and a France Chapter.[4]ZNA America describes itself as the North American Regional District of Zen Nippon Airinkai, stating its mission as spreading the koi-keeping hobby, improving husbandry techniques, and elevating appreciation of nishikigoi as living art; it notes that the first US chapter formed in Southern California in February 1973.[5] Regional chapters such as the Northern Midwest ZNA describe themselves as dedicated to the enjoyment and advancement of pond and koi husbandry and run their own annual koi shows and pond expos.[13]

Common questions

When was Zen Nippon Airinkai founded?
ZNA's predecessor, Oita Airinkai, was founded on 11 February 1962 in Beppu, Oita, and the organization became the nationwide Zen Nippon Airinkai on 11 May 1968.[1][2]
Who founded ZNA?
ZNA was founded by Dr. Kuroki Takeo, MD, who led the organization as chairman from 1962 to 1991.[1][2]
How many koi varieties does ZNA recognize for shows?
For appreciation and show entry, ZNA divides nishikigoi into 17 varieties grouped into two judging groups for its Zipangu Prize, plus six extra categories for large male koi, even though it recognizes that over a hundred varieties exist overall.[3]
Does ZNA allow butterfly koi in competition?
According to a secondary source, ZNA has for many years disallowed butterfly koi from competitive judging, a stance shared by the UK Koi Judges Association.[10]
Does ZNA have chapters outside Japan?
Yes. ZNA lists chapters and friendship clubs across North and South America, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and Africa.[4]

References

  1. ^ What’s ZNA | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/about-en/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ History of Zen Nippon Airinkai | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/history-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ Varieties of Nishikigoi | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/keep-nishikigoi/varieties-of-nishikigoi/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ Zen Nippon Airinkai Overseas Chapter / Friendship Club List | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/zen-nippon-airinkai-overseas-chapter-friendship-club-list/. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ About. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/about. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ What is Zen Nippon Airinkai? – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/a-homepage-section/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ Works and Activities of the ZNA Divisions | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/division-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ Judges | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/judge-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
  9. ^ 2026 SA National Koi Show: Durban North dates, times, and entry | Minurphy Tarpaulin. Minurphy (show sponsor). minurphy.co.za/blog/sa-national-koi-show-2026-durban. Retrieved November 2026.
  10. ^ Butterfly koi (Wikipedia). Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_koi. Retrieved November 2026.
  11. ^ 50th Annual Koi Show This Weekend in Gardena - Rafu Shimpo. rafu.com. rafu.com/2026/03/50th-annual-koi-show-this-weekend-in-gardena/. Retrieved November 2026.
  12. ^ Jureren tijdens de 11e All Asia Cup - Besems.eu. besems.eu. besems.eu/2018/04/13/jureren-tijdens-11e-all-asia-cup/. Retrieved November 2026.
  13. ^ NMZNA Home. nmzna.net. nmzna.net. Retrieved November 2026.