My account
道michi

The Dainichi Magazine

Stories from more than thirty years with koi, from Japan and from our facility. Three routes lead through the magazine, each in its own order.

How it all began

How I came to koi and the people who have accompanied me along the way.

1

How it all began

Before I sold my first koi, I took them for colourful goldfish. One conversation changed that.

2

A key for Masashi

We met through a deal that never came about. What remained was a friendship, and much of what I have learned about Japan.

3

“Who are you, anyway?”

I didn't come to the Dainichi Koi Farm as a customer, but as a harvest helper. Two weeks turned into many years.

4

From garden pond to Zeeland

I got to know Bram Rohaan as an intern at Dainichi. Today he runs production at one of Europe's largest land-based fish farms. And he is one of my best friends.

Japan 2026 – the trip with Prof. Palm

In September 2026 I was in Niigata with Prof. Harry Palm of the University of Rostock: at breeders, at a trout farm, at the sorting bowl with Shigeru and at the festivals of the mountain villages.

1

A market in upheaval

Haaki with Bachmann, episode 32. At the end of August, shortly before my trip to Japan, Haaki asked me what awaited me there. It turned into a conversation about China, about Japan's auctions, about Shigeru's Kawari lines and about a cola machine that gambles for your can.

2

When koi still travelled by train

I have known the Torazo Koi Farm for three generations. In September 2026 I travelled there with Professor Harry Palm so that he could hear its stories first-hand.

3

3,500 tonnes of fish – without the sea

In September 2026 Professor Harry Palm and I visited the largest land-based trout farm Japan is currently building. At first glance it has nothing to do with koi; at second glance, a great deal.

4

From Botan to Yellow Monkey

Sorting with Shigeru, episode 1. In September I sat with Shigeru Mano at the sorting bowl on the Dainichi Koi Farm and asked him how his Ginrin lines came about.

5

Black Zeus, Kujaku and the milt of the males

Sorting with Shigeru, episode 2. How culls turned into the White Monkey, why Shigeru is trying Black Zeus a second time, and when he spawns artificially and when naturally.

6

Body before pattern

Sorting with Shigeru, episode 3. About bloodlines, a Grand Champion for 50,000 yen and why the most beautiful pattern rarely wins.

7

Fire, balloons and bulls

A little travel guide for koi lovers: what else there is to experience in Niigata besides koi, told through the year.

8

Back from Japan

Haaki with Bachmann, episodes 36 and 37. Two weeks in Niigata in September 2026: what has changed among breeders and dealers, what a typhoon does, and what Prof. Harry Palm took away from the trip.

Haaki × Bachmann – the conversation series

Haaki asks, I answer: about Japan, the koi market, our facility, and once the other way round.

1

A market in upheaval

Haaki with Bachmann, episode 32. At the end of August, shortly before my trip to Japan, Haaki asked me what awaited me there. It turned into a conversation about China, about Japan's auctions, about Shigeru's Kawari lines and about a cola machine that gambles for your can.

2

When tosai become nisai

Haaki with Bachmann, episode 33. Back from Japan and into our own facility: Haaki asks about the season, jumbo tosai, filters, feed and the light in the north.

3

Haaki, who are you?

Haaki with Bachmann, episodes 34 and 35. Usually Haaki asks the questions and I answer. This time we turned the tables.

4

Back from Japan

Haaki with Bachmann, episodes 36 and 37. Two weeks in Niigata in September 2026: what has changed among breeders and dealers, what a typhoon does, and what Prof. Harry Palm took away from the trip.