VII-THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY. AND THE TRADE IN GOLDFISH 



Fashions, Criteria, and Exhibitions 



\\'IX(7i to the age i.)f gulilfish culture in Jajjan and tlie great amount nt' altenticTU (le\'Otecl 

 to goldtisli by tlie general public as well as by breeders and fanciers, certain stand- 

 ards have been established, new fashions have from time to time been started, and 

 individual and community predilections have been formed. 



Considering the three leading varieties, it may be noted that the ranchu is in 

 particular favor at Tokyo, the oranda at Koriyama. and the r_\ukin at both places. 

 The oranda is UKist extensi\'ely cultivated in the si)uthern half of Jai)an, where it has to a great extent 

 replaced the ryukin. The \ariety was introducetl at Tokyo but did not meet with a cordial reception, 

 and is overshadowed b\- both the ranchu and the ryukin. The last is now grown most extensively at 

 Tokyo, although up t(i hfty \ears ago the chief center f(_ir its prcjduction was Koriyama. 



Qualities in the wakin that are considered desirable are a thick, wide-spread tail with three or 

 four lobes and tine rays, and distinct color pattern. Points of excellence in the tlemekin are svmniet- 



87 



