Today we're back in Japan, at the koi ponds near the front of the pavilion that lead up to Katsura Grill.
These koi are pretty amazing. In Japanese, koi actually just means "carp"—but when you see ornamental ones like this you're usually seeing what the Japanese would call "nishikigoi", which translates to "brocaded carp", a nod to the ornate textiles that their colors evoke. It's a cool concept because the Japanese have purposefully bred these koi over centuries to bring out their various colors, so the human element of brocading is sort of true.
The Japanese kept koi as early as the 4th century, but mostly as a food source. In the early 1800s, some farmers in the Niigata Prefecture began to notice interesting color mutations among them and started selectively breeding them for their beauty. They remained a local curiosity, though, until 1914 when they were exhibited in Tokyo and their popularity exploded across the country and then, especially after WWII, around the world.
Well kept koi in spacious environments can grow 2-3 feet long and easily live 25-50 years. The oldest koi can live 100-200 years, with the oldest documented among them being Hanako. At her death in 1977 she was said to have lived 226 years. Her life became a national symbol of patience, longevity, and living in harmony with nature.
We had a little koi pond at my house in Maryland when I was growing up, but a pesky Blue Heron would stop by and steal my father's beloved fish until we ended up with a fake Blue Heron presiding over a pond of mostly goldfish. We did love the koi, though. My dad would name them and teach them to come at feeding time. I used to let them nibble my fingers.
In Japan, koi are symbols of perseverance and strength of will since they're known to swim against the current. A koi that climbs a waterfall and reaches the top is said to emerge as a dragon—a symbol of transformation through personal struggle. Their beauty and grace also make them symbols of peace and prosperity. And since the word koi is very similar to the word love in Japanese, they are also associated with deep connection.