GOLDFISH AND THEIR CULTURE IN JAPAN. 397 
very great. The inferior breeds are sold at 1 sen (half a cent) a piece, while 
the superior ones fetch a price of only 50 yen ($25) a pair. On rare occasions, 
however, 200 or 300 yen are paid for a single pair. In costliness the ranchu 
ranks first, the superior breeds of the oranda shishigashira are also of great 
value, and the ryukin comes next. The number of the last variety yearly 
exported from Yokohama and Kobe is great. 
As already mentioned, the ranchu is regarded with special favor in 
Tokyo. An exhibition of this variety is held there every year in autumn by 
lovers of the fish, for the purpose of having the merits of their exhibits deter- 
mined, and a successful breeder to whom an award of merit is made prides him- 
self upon it. The exhibition lasts two days, on the first of which are examined 
the grown-up breeds and on the second the young in the first year. Being 
developed in color and form, the former naturally attest the extent of skill in 
the breeders and their value can be known at a glance. The latter are those 
hatched only in the preceding spring and as yet little developed in every respect; 
but these, after all the care lavished upon them by breeders, are to appear 
again fully grown up for contest at a future show, and on that account are full 
of interest and promise. The examination of fish in an exhibition is made in a 
shallow tub containing a white earthenware plate in the center. Two ranchu 
being placed in the plate are examined by connoisseurs as to their shade, 
dapples, and the form of the tail and body. Those perfect in every respect are 
awarded the “first best,’’ and a list of the exhibits made in the order of their 
merits is given to the public. Every time the classification is made amid a 
stormy debate by the examiners. No positive criteria exist to guide one in the 
examination of the ranchu. Nevertheless, those uniformly bright red are 
considered the best, so far as coloration is concerned. ‘Those perfect in form, 
however uniformly white they may be, are counted.tolerably good. ‘The varie- 
gated ones are generally unpopular; but in Osaka and its vicinity, those having 
fine dapples are greatly appreciated, especially if the head is of a bright red 
color. A ranchu having either a white body and bright red fins and mouth, 
or a bright red in color in both cheeks, is also admired. Every one of the breeds 
exhibited has its own name, which is given in the aforesaid list with that of the 
owner. Those who participate in the show are mostly nobles, wealthy mer- 
chants, and others in comfortable circumstances. On such occasions the very 
best breed fetches a price of 200 or 300 yen, but not one in ten thousand 
commands such a high price. The exhibition takes place chiefly in Tokyo but 
it has recently come to be held in Osaka also. Not a few goldfish breeders with 
fish of their own culture now come from localities lying far beyond Hakone to 
take part in a Tokyo exhibition. The reason why the exhibition is held in autumn 
is that the goldfish puts on the most brilliant colors in that season. 
