In Yamakoshi, a community in a harsh mountainous region known for its heavy snowfall, the people were often isolated during snowy months due to a lack of access to neighboring communities. Therefore, the people began raising edible magoi as a source of protein.
Magoi eggs hatched in terraced ponds in the spring and the fry (young fish) were released into terraced rice paddies. They grew together with the rice plants, while other mature carp, including the parent fishes, were raised in terraced ponds. Before the arrival of the snowy months, all the mature magoi were transferred from the terraced paddies and ponds to household garden ponds. They were kept in the garden ponds as a precious food supply in the winter. This tandem system of rice farming and magoi raising is the origin of the present-day combined system of rice farming and Nishikigoi raising.
During the Bunka and Bunsei eras (circa 1804-1830) of the Edo period, a mutant carp with light red spots was found among the magoi. Keeping it and raising it brought about the beautiful Nishikigoi of the present day.
Magoi eggs hatched in terraced ponds in the spring and the fry (young fish) were released into terraced rice paddies. They grew together with the rice plants, while other mature carp, including the parent fishes, were raised in terraced ponds. Before the arrival of the snowy months, all the mature magoi were transferred from the terraced paddies and ponds to household garden ponds. They were kept in the garden ponds as a precious food supply in the winter. This tandem system of rice farming and magoi raising is the origin of the present-day combined system of rice farming and Nishikigoi raising.
During the Bunka and Bunsei eras (circa 1804-1830) of the Edo period, a mutant carp with light red spots was found among the magoi. Keeping it and raising it brought about the beautiful Nishikigoi of the present day.