Shintaro Matsunosuke

Shintaro Koi Farm

Located in the koi-breeding heartland of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, Shintaro Koi Farm is one of the world’s most respected producers of Showa Sanshoku. The farm was founded and is run by Mr. Shintaro Mano, whose name has become synonymous with Showa of striking quality, strong growth, and lasting beauty. Over the decades, Shintaro has built a reputation among collectors and dealers for koi that embody both power and refinement, with bloodlines carefully maintained for consistency and excellence.

While many Niigata breeders produce a wide range of Gosanke, Shintaro Koi Farm has focused its efforts on refining Showa bloodlines to world-class standards. Each generation is selectively bred to strengthen the key traits that define top-quality Showa:

• Jet-black sumi (ink) emerging with power, balance, and strong contrast.
• Deep, even beni (red) plates with excellent retention as the koi matures.
• Pure white shiroji, creating dramatic contrast against sumi and beni.
• Well-structured body frames, capable of growing to jumbo sizes while retaining elegance and proportion.
• Consistent improvement with age, with Shintaro Showa often developing more power and beauty year after year — a hallmark of stable bloodlines.

This focus has made Shintaro Showa instantly recognisable and highly prized among collectors worldwide.

The farm makes use of Niigata’s traditional mud ponds, where koi grow naturally during the warmer months, benefiting from mineral-rich mountain water and spacious conditions. These ponds allow Showa to develop thick, glossy skin and healthy bodies.

During the winter season, koi are carefully moved to indoor greenhouses where feeding, growth, and skin quality are closely monitored. This combination of natural outdoor rearing and refined indoor care ensures koi of strength, health, and beauty.

Shintaro Koi Farm has established itself as a household name among koi enthusiasts across the globe. Collectors, dealers, and competitive hobbyists actively seek out Shintaro Showa for their balance of body, colour, and long-term potential.

Many Shintaro koi are noted for their ability to improve with age, developing stronger sumi patterns and deepening beni as they mature. This makes them particularly appealing to hobbyists who value koi not only for immediate beauty but also for their potential as future show winners.

Behind every koi at Shintaro Koi Farm is the passion and vision of Mr. Mano, whose dedication to the Showa variety has shaped the farm’s identity. By blending traditional koi-breeding knowledge with his own careful selection techniques, Shintaro has created a bloodline that is both distinctive and enduring.