Ranchu...the early beginning.

When I was deeply involved in German Shepherd, I used to have a bloodline chart of the various bloodlines and how they were all related to the first German shepherd Horand von Grafrath SZ 1
It was a tedious, but immensely enjoyable task to trace all the various bloodlines looking at all the dogs from a genetic perspective and juxtapositioning against the physical pictures and recorded videos(Vcr). That is how I build my framework to really profoundly understand  German Shepherd dog and how to breed them using the acquired knowledge.

In ranchu as many understand, the founding father of modern day ranchu dated 100 odd years ago to the day that Master Ishikawa decided to create ranchu. There wasn't much write up...not in a language as universal as English and I am always searching for more historical background of ranchu and how it was created.

 

 

 

I chanced upon this youtube video and with the kind permission of the owner Yasuo san, I like to share some historical background on the ranchu as shown in the video and the write up that Yasuo san did....   


Published on Sep 7, 2013      
      

The Osaka Ranchu was "the Ranchu" before Mr.Ishikawa crossed *"Shishigashira Ranchu". This Old variety was popular in Osaka area. *It's said this variety had Tiny Pompon on nose, Shorter and Rounder Body, Flat tail like *Tosakin and very Strict Color Pattern in Competitive show. That is why improvement of the Fish shape didn't progress so much. *Osaka lost popularity then died out during World War 2nd. When people noticed there were only a few Female fish.. After the War some people tried to restore the Fish. now There were 2 restored Osaka Ranchu. Type1 has half original blood because the Breeder couldn't find a Male fish anymore. the other is restored from Nankin, Tosakin, Hanafusa (*Chinese Pompon). some people says Type 2 looks more better than Type 1. but it's very difficult to get. so I had heard and read. but This Osaka line is the Original that evacuated in Sanyo area. If it's True it should be authorized as Official Japanese Goldfish variety again and I wish this Kawaii breed will be Popular. * There were show standards but the details are not clear now. * "Tosakin" is the Cross breed of Osaka Ranchu x Ryukin. * "Ranchu (Kyoukai kei)" was improved by Ishikawa Kamekichi from old type Ranchu that's introduced from China around 18~19c. It's said it was crossed with Wakin that has Big head. but I can't find the trustworhy book sources yet. Shishigashira type Ranchu existed at least since 1764. but It didn't have enough big head. There are some Maruko type (Ranchu without big head.) in Ukiyoe. but Shishigashira type was not common. Mr.Uno said Mr.Suzuki Tokuji in Asakusa improve Ishikawa Ranchu to have Big Lion - Dragon head like modern Ranchu.) (Shishigashita means modern "Dragon head", too. It depends on Breeders. but not Goose head type. Goose head is prototype in Ranchu.Uno-kei still have this type.) * "Shishi Gashira" = Lion Head. It was not Chinese Lionhead fish that is not Ranchu but Oranda type. Correct name of Oranda is "Oranda Shishigashira". ( The name of Ranchu or Danchu came from 蚤種 Chinese (Kantonese now?) dorsalfinless type fish that probably looked like Frea for Chinese. Japanese put another meaning on the sound that is Orchid Casting. It has No sense but sounds beautifully exotic. * Oranda(Olanda) = Holland. Neaderand. Dutch. *Perhaps the reason why Uno, Kyoto-suji respect Big Head Ranchu more than Tail was the Shock after New Big head Ranchu from Tokyo. Generally "The Tail" is the most important for Japanese Classical Goldfish varieties. and It is the most difficult to improve. There are 2 types of Fish Keepers who breed "Parental Fish" and the other who Grows up Show Quality Fish but never Breed by themselves. a Friend of mine said Breeding and Keeping Show Quality Goldfish is like making Good Wine. * There are some Pompon type fish. Ise Hanafusa (Oranda Pompon) that's lost but can find same type from Oranda sometimes, Chakin Deme Hanafusa ( Chocolate Dragon eye pompon. It's a high level Chinese variety that has Triple recessive characters.) ,Ryugan Hanafusa ( Dragon Eye Pompon, Chinese. It looks more Dragon eye than Oranda.).the Breeder must used a Chinese Pompon that looks like Maruko. though I'm not sure if Chinese Fish farms are still keeping that old variety.