"The exhibition lasts two days, on the first of whicli are examined the grown-up breeds and 

 on the second the )'Oung 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 onh- in the preceding spring and as yet little developed in ever}- respect ; but these, 

 after all the cares 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 fisli 

 in an exhibition is made in a shallow tub containing a white earthenware plate in the center. Tw(j 

 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 storm\- debate b\' the examiners. No positi\'e criteria exist to guide one in the examina- 

 tion of the ranchu. Nevertheless, those uniformly bright red are consideied the best, so far as color- 

 ation is concerned. Those perfect in form, howe\er uniformly white the\' may be, are counted 

 toleral)ly good. The variegated ones aie generally unpopular. A ranchu having either a white body 

 and bright red fins and mouth, or a bright red color in both cheeks, is also admired. E^-ery one 

 of the breeds exhibited has its own name, which is given in the aforesaid list with that of the owner. 

 Those who paiticipate in the show are mostly nobles, wealth)- merchants, and others in comfortable 

 circumstances. On such occasions the ^'ery best breed fetches a price of two or three hundred yen 

 ($100 or $150), but not one in ten thousand commands such a high price. Not a few goldfish 

 breeders \\ith fish of their own culture now come from focalities 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." 



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