I— GENERAL ASPECTS OF GOLDFISH CULTURE IN JAPAN 



Importance of the Goldfish to the Japanese People 



HE JAPANESE are the leading breeders of goldfish; their methods are the most original 

 and successful; their varieties are the most beautiful and interesting. 



The goldfish occupies a prominent place in the daily lives of the Japanese. Among the creatures 

 kept for purposes of ornament and amusement — monkeys, birds, musical crickets, singing frogs, 

 etc. — none are in such general demand or are employed in such large numbers as the goldfish; and 

 probably in no other country are any non-useful animals maintained by a larger proportion of 

 the population than are goldfish in Japan. 



Interest in goldfish is manifested by all ages and in every class of society, from the humblest 

 peasant to the highest court official. The small boy on a holiday will lie made supremely 

 happy by the purchase of a goldfish costing half a cent while a wealthy connoisseur may 

 give one hundred and fifty dollars for a single pair of fish of select breed. 



Immense numbers of goldfish are sold on fete days, and children are the largest 

 purchasers. Goldfish vendors, carrying their ware in wooden tubs suspended from a 



