The original species of koi is the red carp, which was first discovered in China, the goldfish is cultivated in China in a variety of ways, and the koi is ripening in Dongying.
How was the transformation of Chinese carp into koi developed by Japan?
In ancient Chinese books, although in the Western Jin Dynasty there were records of raising red carp as ornamental fish, and the word "koi" was born, which appeared many times in The Tang and Song poems, but in fact, this koi is not a koi, and the "koi" in ancient China and the koi that are now popular in the world are not the same, this is two completely independent breeding processes, and the two "koi" just have a common ancestor.
China's red carp eventually became this poached carp and became a famous dish in Jiangxi. (Sure enough, it's a foodie country.... ）
The red carp that entered Japan were eventually bred into Japanese koi.
Koi has been cultivated for more than 1,000 years. During the Cultural and Cultural Period (1804-1830) in Japan, some people in Niigata Prefecture discovered carp that was different from the ordinary real carp, and its body color became lighter and slightly redder, and this carp is called "iron carp" in the current strain.
This mutation would have been harmful to the survival of wild carp because the lighter color makes it easier to be spotted and preyed upon by predators.
However, due to the needs of the princes and nobles, the farmers screened and improved the mutated carp, and cultivated a light yellow and a different light with a net of markings.
In the early days, the koi was only an ornamental fish for families such as the nobles and dignitaries of the royal palace, or raised in temple shrines, which was rarely seen by ordinary civilians, so it was called "god fish" and covered with various mysterious colors.
The koi museum in Niigata Prefecture, the hometown of koi, is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Every year from October to December, koi lovers from all over the world gather here to shop for their favorite koi and to visit the world-famous birthplace of the "Japanese koi".
▲ "Carp Immortal" (left photo)
Koi received great attention and attention in Japan, and began to be raised only in the imperial palace nobility and court. It is a symbol of nobility, but also a symbol of status, and has been endowed with auspicious and happy colors, and even has the saying of "god fish".
At the same time, he also gave people strength and spiritual beauty with his own strength and thickness, and was a gentleman who was not afraid of danger, calm and personable, and was given a new spiritual and cultural connotation, and was known as the "national fish" in Japan.
In particular, May 5 is Japan Boys' Day. Carp flags are hoisted to welcome Boys' Day. I look forward to the healthy growth of my child.
In order to wish the boys in the family health and happiness, on this day, every household in Japan will make colorful ribbons shaped like carp from paper or cloth, and then string these ribbons on bamboo poles and tie them to golden windmills and hang them on the roof.
The reason for this is that the Japanese believe that carp is the most energetic and energetic, and want the boys in the family to be like carp, so this day is also called "Carp Day".
In Japan, it's Boys' Day. The carp flag, which consists of a seven-color flag and a black and red "real carp" and a "crimson carp", will flutter in the blue sky against the wind.
As early as 834 AD, in the Japanese "Lingyi Xie", January 1 (New Year's Day), March 3 (Shangjie), and May 5 (Dragon Boat Festival) from China were designated as festivals.
People living in Japan know that every year on Boys' Day, you can see many carp-shaped colorful kites fluttering under the blue sky, which is a beautiful scenery.
In the Muromachi period of the fourteenth century, only samurai were eligible to hang such kites on bamboo poles. In the Edo period, it gradually spread among the people. The shape has also become more beautiful, and it has been used ever since.
This custom of flying carp-type kites during the Dragon Boat Festival, which has been diluted in China, actually originated from the legend of "carp jumping the dragon gate".
Carp gather at the dragon gate in the middle reaches of the Yellow River every Year in March and April, and if they can swim against the current and cross the waterfall of the North Mountain, they can become a dragon. The carp that danced against the wind truly expressed the mood of the elders who hoped that their children would become dragons.
After the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival spread to Japan, they were absorbed and transformed into the traditional culture of Japan. Especially during the war-torn Muromachi period, it was promoted by samurai.
Carp flag is a hollow carp made of cloth or silk, divided into black, red and blue three colors, black represents the father, red represents the mother, blue represents the boy, and the number of blue flags represents the number of boys.
The Japanese consider the carp to be a symbol of strength and courage, expressing the desire of parents to expect their children and grandchildren to become brave and strong samurai. In accordance with the principle of "respecting the personality of the child, seeking the happiness of the child, and thanking the mother", this day is designated as a national holiday.
Koi has developed into a national culture in Japan, and the current revival of our Chinese koi and its culture is unstoppable! Let's work together to witness the Chinese power of this koi fever!