Skip to content

ZNA SoCal Koi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The ZNA SoCal Koi Show is the annual open koi show of the Zen Nippon Airinkai Southern California Chapter, held each March at the Gardena Civic Center in Gardena, California[1][2].
The ZNA SoCal Koi Show is organized by the Zen Nippon Airinkai Southern California Chapter (ZNA SoCal), the first chapter of Zen Nippon Airinkai formed in the United States[3][4]. Organizers describe it as the longest-running koi show in the world outside of Japan[6][1].The show is held at the Gardena Civic Center Complex in Gardena, California, and is open to the public free of charge[1]. In 2026 the event marked its 50th annual show, held March 20–22, and also served as the host site for the ZNA America Western District show[1][6].

History and organization

Sources give slightly differing founding dates for the Southern California chapter: the chapter’s own site states it was started in July 1972 by a small group of members[4], while a separate ZNA America history page states the first U.S. chapter was formed in Southern California in February 1973[5]. The chapter’s about page also states it was started in 1972[3]. ZNA SoCal operates as the Southern California regional chapter of Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA), the Japan-based international koi organization, under the ZNA U.S. District[7]. Its leadership has included president Igal Yazdi[1][7].In addition to its annual show, the chapter holds monthly meetings, an annual koi auction, and a holiday luncheon for members[3]. For background on the parent organization, see Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) and US koi organizations: AKCA, AKJA and ZNA chapters.

The 2026 50th anniversary show

The 2026 edition was billed as the chapter’s 50th Annual Koi Show, held March 20–22 at the Gardena Civic Center Complex, 1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California[1][8]. Local news coverage reported judging and public viewing hours of Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with opening ceremonies, taiko drumming, a vendor area, a koi seminar, and an evening social event called “Kois of Scales”[6]. The registration packet lists a more detailed schedule beginning with setup on Thursday, March 19, benching and a ZNA America koi seminar on Friday, judging on Saturday, and special presentations, show winners, and a judges’ walk-around on Sunday[1].The 2026 show was also designated as the ZNA America Western District show, hosted by ZNA SoCal[6][1]. Organizers encouraged attendees to view a vendor area offering koi for sale along with pond supplies and equipment[6].

Show format and entry rules

The ZNA SoCal show is run in “English style” judging, meaning each entrant is assigned an individual tank, rather than koi from multiple owners being grouped by variety in shared tanks[1]. It is a full A/B show, with separate major awards for Gosanke varieties (Group A) and non-Gosanke varieties (Group B)[1]. Entry is restricted to amateur hobbyists who own the fish they enter; dealer-owned koi are not eligible[1].Entrants may register up to two tanks initially, with an optional third tank offered based on availability[1]. Tank capacity is governed by a fish-load formula based on koi size, measured in centimeters, with points assigned per fish and a recommended maximum per tank to protect fish health and presentation[1]. All koi are checked for injuries, parasites, and disease before being accepted, and fish that have been exposed to koi herpesvirus (KHV) are not eligible to be entered or transported to the show site[1]. For general background on show rules and classification, see How koi are judged and Show classes and size categories.

Awards

Major awards at the show include separate Grand Champion and Reserve Champion titles for Group A and Group B, along with Mature, Jumbo, Adult, Young, and Baby Champion awards split by group and by size category[1]. Koi that do not win a major award remain eligible for Best in Size awards across each size class and group[1]. The show also presents four Champion of Variety awards named Miyabi, Sakura, Tsubaki, and Botan, as well as a Show Chair Award, a Bob Spindola Award, a President’s Award, a Novice Award for first-time exhibitors, and friendship awards extended to other clubs and ZNA chapters[1]. All koi, including past Grand Champion winners, remain eligible to win the Grand Champion award again[1].

Varieties benched

The entry form used for the show lists benching categories including Kohaku, Sanke, Showa, and Utsurimono in Group A, and Hikari Utsuri, Asagi/Shusui, Bekko, Kawarimono, Hikari Moyomono, Koromo/Goshiki, Ginrin, Tancho, Hikari Mujimono, and Mujimono in Group B[1]. The show has no specific Doitsu category; Doitsu koi are benched within the category of their scaled counterparts, for example Doitsu Showa is benched as Showa[1]. Ginrin Group A koi are benched within their Gosanke group, so Ginrin Sanke is benched as Sanke[1]. There is no competitive class for long-finned koi[1]. Readers can find explanations of these categories at Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke), Showa Sanshoku, Utsurimono, Koromo, Goshiki, Kinginrin (Ginrin), and Doitsugoi (Doitsu koi).

Context among U.S. and ZNA shows

The ZNA SoCal Koi Show appears on the American Koi Judges Association’s list of scheduled 2026 U.S. koi shows, placed among other regional events such as the Koi Club of San Diego show and the Dallas Koi Show[2]. ZNA SoCal is one of several ZNA chapters operating in North America, alongside chapters including the Northwest Chapter, Potomac Chapter, Northern California Chapter, and Carolina ZNA Chapter, all under the ZNA U.S. District[7]. For a fuller list of U.S. shows and chapters, see Koi shows in the USA and US koi organizations: AKCA, AKJA and ZNA chapters.

Common questions

Where is the ZNA SoCal Koi Show held?
It is held at the Gardena Civic Center Complex, 1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California[1].
Is the ZNA SoCal Koi Show open to the public?
Yes, organizers describe it as open to the public free of charge[1].
Can koi exposed to KHV be entered?
No; koi that have been exposed to koi herpesvirus (KHV) are not eligible and should not be transported to the show site[1]. For more on this disease, see Koi herpesvirus (KHV).
Who can enter koi in the show?
Entry is limited to amateur hobbyists who own the fish they are entering; dealer-owned koi are not eligible[1].
When did the ZNA Southern California Chapter start?
The chapter’s own site states it began in July 1972[4] (also stated as 1972 on its about page[3]), while ZNA America’s history page states the first U.S. ZNA chapter was formed in Southern California in February 1973[5].

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ US Koi Show – American Koi Judges Association (AKJA). American Koi Judges Association. akjajudges.com/us-koi-show/. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ About Us – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/about/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ What is Zen Nippon Airinkai? – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/a-homepage-section/. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ About. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/about. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ ZNA SoCal 50th Annual Koi Show & ZNA America Western District Show – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/annual-koi-show/. Retrieved November 2026.