Tancho Sanke

Tancho Sanke are named for the Manchurian crane (Grus japonensis), a white bird with a red cap. The marking is also reminiscent of the Japanese flag, which shows a red sun (Hinomaru) on a white field. The single red spot on the head is also reminiscent of the national bird of Japan.Tancho markings of various shapes (square, diamond, oval, heart, cross, and blossom) are acknowledged but are not as highly prized as the perfect round hi marking. The ideal Tancho mark must be confined to the head and may not touch or extend over the eyes, lips, cheeks, or shoulder. Its position must be in perfect balance to the head and the marking must be thick, even, and bright with sharp kiwa. The white back ground must be thick, pure, and without any distracting blemishes so that the Tancho is sharply etched for maximum effect.Koi patterns are random and very few Tancho patterns emerge from a single Kohaku spawn. Finding a perfect Tancho is like finding a needle in a hay stack. When one is found the Koi producers and Koi brokers won’t let them go.