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ZNA International Koi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The ZNA International Koi Show is the flagship annual nishikigoi show organized by Zen Nippon Airinkai (全日本愛鱗会), held each November in Japan and judged under ZNA's variety and size classification system[1][2].
The ZNA International Koi Show is held annually under the auspices of Zen Nippon Airinkai, a koi hobbyist organization based in Beppu, Japan, with chapters in many countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Brazil[4]. The 62nd edition is scheduled for Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 at Tokiwa Park in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, with free admission[1].According to Zen Nippon Airinkai America, the organization's shows trace back to the first major hobbyist show held in Beppu in 1966, with the fourth show in 1969 becoming the first truly national/international ZNA event, a tradition that grew into the ZNA All Japan Show and, from it, the International Koi Show held today[4].

Schedule and venue

The 62nd International Koi Show runs over three days at Tokiwa Park, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (254 Okiube, Ube City, 755-0001)[1]. On the first day, entry koi check-in takes place from 09:00 to 17:00, with no entries accepted before the opening time[1]. On the second day, judges hold a meeting and photo session beginning at 08:15, judging runs from 09:30 with a break around 10:20 for the Opening Ceremony, and judging continues through a lunch break; general public viewing runs 09:00 to 17:00 except for tanks still under judging, followed by a Show Banquet at Hotel New Otani Nagaoka from 19:00 to 21:00[1]. On the final day, public viewing continues 09:00 to 12:00, Awards and Closing Ceremony are held 10:00 to 12:00, and fish removal from the venue begins at 13:00[1]. Smoking is prohibited in the venue[1].

Judging categories and major awards

Entry rules published by Zen Nippon Airinkai for the 59th International Koi Show (and recommended for ZNA district shows generally) establish a numbered list of variety codes used for classification, including Kohaku (Kohaku), Taisho Sanshoku (Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke)), Showa Sanshoku (Showa Sanshoku), Utsurimono (Utsurimono), Kinginrin (Kinginrin (Ginrin)), Bekko (Bekko), Asagi (Asagi), Shusui (Shusui), Koromo (Koromo), Kawarimono (Kawarimono), Goshiki (Goshiki), Hikarimono (Hikari-mujimono), Hikari Utsurimono (Hikari-utsurimono), Mujimono (Mujimono), Hikari Mujimono and Tancho (Tancho), along with separate codes for male entries of Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, Showa Sanshoku, Utsurimono and Kinginrin at 55 bu and larger[2]. The rules note that a Ginrin entry should show more than a specified number of clear lines of Ginrin scales, and that every entry koi is judged on its actual appearance rather than its declared variety name[2].Size categories under this system range from 15 bu up to over 90 bu, with named major awards tied to size groupings including Majestic Champion, Superior Champion, Mature Champion, Adult Champion, Young Champion, Baby Champion and a Zipangu Prize[2]. A separate judging and tank area structure separates Gosanke-type tanks (Tank B Area) from other varieties (Tank A Area), with a dedicated Plastic Bags Area for smaller sizes[2]. A koi classification document used by the Northern Midwest ZNA chapter for its own 2026 show, referencing the ZNA 2021 classification, confirms that Tancho and related Tancho-marked varieties form a distinct category and that a Male category covers all varieties, while noting that individual districts or chapters may adapt the ruling for their own local shows for practical reasons[8].

Major award koi list

Zen Nippon Airinkai publishes a Major Award Koi List following each International Koi Show. For the 61st International Koi Show, the organization released a dedicated page and PDF listing the koi that received major awards[9]. This list format allows hobbyists to review which fish were recognized without requiring attendance at the Ube venue.

History and organization

Zen Nippon Airinkai was founded after Dr. Takeo Kuroki, MD, suggested that nishikigoi keeping should become a grand hobby and culture; he established the Oita Airinkai Koi Club in Beppu, Oita, in 1962[3]. The club's activities spread across Japan, developing first into Nishinihon Airinkai in western Japan before becoming the nationwide Zen Nippon Airinkai, now with chapters in every prefecture[3]. Dr. Kuroki also traveled internationally to promote nishikigoi keeping and published books that, according to the organization, helped cultivate the foundation of the hobby enjoyed today[3]. Zen Nippon Airinkai has been led by a succession of chairmen, from Takeo Kuroki (1962–1991) through to the current chairman, Yasuhiko Asada, who took the role from 2025[3].According to Zen Nippon Airinkai America, the hobby movement that became ZNA evolved from a regional western Japan organization into a true national and international organization in 1968, and the first ZNA chapter outside Japan was formed in Southern California in February 1973[4]. A related ZNA Southern California history page instead states that the first US chapter began in July 1972[10]; the two secondary accounts disagree on the exact founding date. The organization's stated purpose, in both accounts, was to build relationships among members internationally through nishikigoi, summarized by the motto “Friendship through scales”[4][10].Beyond the International Koi Show in Japan, Zen Nippon Airinkai maintains an extensive calendar of prefectural chapter shows across Japan, including events in Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Fukushima, Tochigi, Kanagawa, Niigata, Nagano, Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kochi and Oita, each with its own edition number and date[7]. ZNA also has an active Taiwan District, which held its own koi show in December 2025[11].In the United States, the ZNA SoCal Koi Show describes itself as the longest-running koi show in the world outside Japan, run as a full A/B show with separate Gosanke and Non-Gosanke major awards, including Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Mature, Jumbo, Adult, Young and Baby Champion categories for both groups[6]. The Northern Midwest ZNA chapter in the United States also runs its own annual koi show and pond expo[12]. Outside North America, combined shows judged jointly by ZNA and Shinkokai (the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association) judges take place in Asia, such as the All Asia Cup Koi Show, held in a different Asian country each year with major awards including a Gosanke Grand Champion (A) chosen from the five best Gosanke of 80 cm and larger, and a separate Non-Gosanke Grand Champion (B)[5][13].

Special varieties and regional participation

Some regional koi clubs outside Japan align their own show themes with the ZNA International Show. The South African Koi Keepers Society states that its special variety for all SAKKS shows in 2025 was Koromo, following what it describes as the nominated special variety announced for the ZNA International Show in Japan that November[14], indicating that the Japan show's chosen special variety can influence show themes at ZNA-affiliated clubs internationally.

Common questions

Where and when is the 62nd ZNA International Koi Show held?
It is scheduled for Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 at Tokiwa Park in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, with free admission[1].
How is judging organized at the ZNA International Koi Show?
Judging follows a published variety and size classification with major awards tied to size groups, such as Majestic Champion, Superior Champion, Mature Champion, Adult Champion, Young Champion and Baby Champion, and entries are judged on actual appearance rather than declared variety[2].
Who founded Zen Nippon Airinkai?
Dr. Takeo Kuroki, MD, founded the Oita Airinkai Koi Club in Beppu in 1962, which grew into the nationwide Zen Nippon Airinkai[3].
Is the ZNA International Koi Show the only major ZNA event?
No; ZNA also runs numerous prefectural chapter shows in Japan and affiliated chapter shows abroad, such as the ZNA SoCal Koi Show in the United States and combined shows with Shinkokai in Asia like the All Asia Cup Koi Show[7][6][5].
Where can results from recent International Koi Shows be found?
Zen Nippon Airinkai publishes a Major Award Koi List and PDF after each edition, such as the list released for the 61st International Koi Show[9].

References

  1. ^ The 62nd International Koi Show Page | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/the-62nd-international-koi-show-page/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ 59th ZNA International Koi Show entry rules (ZNA). Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/59th-zna-koishow.pdf. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ History of Zen Nippon Airinkai | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/history-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ About. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/about. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ Jureren tijdens de 12e ALL ASIA CUP KOI SHOW - Besems.eu. besems.eu. besems.eu/2019/05/09/jureren-tijdens-12e-all-asia-cup-koi-show/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ ZNA SoCal 50th Annual Koi Show exhibitor registration packet (2026). znasocal.org. znasocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-entrant-registration-1…. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ Show Calendar | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/show-calender/. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ Koi classification (ZNA 2021), NMZNA 2026 show documents. nmzna.net. nmzna.net/2026%20Show%20Docs/NMZNA%202026%20Koi%20Classification%20…. Retrieved November 2026.
  9. ^ The 61st International Koi Show Major Award Koi List | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/the-61st-international-koi-show-major-award-koi-list/. Retrieved November 2026.
  10. ^ What is Zen Nippon Airinkai? – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/a-homepage-section/. Retrieved November 2026.
  11. ^ 2025 ZNA Taiwan District Koi Show. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/koi-events-shows/2025-zna-taiwan-district-koi-show. Retrieved November 2026.
  12. ^ NMZNA Home. nmzna.net. nmzna.net. Retrieved November 2026.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ SAKKS – National – South African Koi Keepers Society. South African Koi Keepers Society. sakks.co.za/. Retrieved November 2026.