Not much can be said about this man that hasn’t been said already. He has produced over the last 30 years, probably the best and certainly most famous Sanke bloodline of all time.
Matsunosuke bloodline is now in probably 70% of all sankes produced today, All Japan Champions, BKKS Champions, South Africa National Champions and numerous Champions in America, the best Sanke breeder in the world.
Re-introducing magoi bloodline (Black carp) back into his own bloodline many years ago has since stabilised a huge growth rate, but over a steady amount of time. The very best examples of Toshio Sakai’s very best koi grow in length to about 4 years and then grow in bulk and body, amazing koi to watch. Other breeders have since tried to change the line so the koi bulk earlier, but they also finish earlier in age, where as the true Matsunosuke koi will not peak until they are upwards of 14years old, a true pleasure to watch and learn from.
Toshio Sakai is based out of Isawa, which is a 4 hour drive from Niigata, He does have a facility in Niigata because all his best Mudponds are situated in Niigata, so the koi are harvested, then taken to the Mushigame facility in Niigata and rested for 2 days, then trucked down to Isawa for public viewing, which if you catch Toshio on a good day can be the most amazing koi day you will ever spend.
Now with his son ‘Toshi’ coming up fast, the company is due to change hands from father to son, and you couldn’t ask for better in Toshi, he is amazing to watch, his English is excellent and his eye is also fantastic. He worked for many years learning the commercial part of the trade at Sakai Fish Farms in Horoshima where he learnt vital experience of how huge koi operations work.
The future of Isawa Nishikigoi is looking good, Im sure it will not be to long until another All Japan Grand Champion is supplied by this guys, the last one in 2002 where a 1.1Meter Sanke took the prize.
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