Bekko

Bekko is a koi variety marked by simple black sumi patches over a single non-metallic ground color. The most familiar form is Shiro Bekko, with black markings on white, while Aka Bekko and Ki Bekko use red or yellow bases. Unlike Showa or Utsuri, Bekko should read as a lighter ground fish carrying black pattern rather than a black-based fish with wrapping color. A clean head and well-placed sumi are important visual cues.

People selecting Bekko usually look for bright skin, steady sumi, uncluttered pattern, and a body shape that will support the design as the koi grows. Sumi can rise, fade, or shift in appearance with age and water conditions, so buying very young fish requires some tolerance for change. In pond care, Bekko have no special needs beyond sound koi husbandry: stable filtration, quarantine for newcomers, careful feeding, and enough space to maintain body quality.

Colors: Asagi, Bekko, Black, Blue, Brown, Chagoi, Cream, Doitsu, Ginrin, Gold, Goshiki, Gray, Karashigoi, Kohaku, Koromo, Kujaku, Metallic, Ogon, Orange, Red, Red with Black Patterns (Aka Bekko), Sanke, Showa, Shusui, Silver, Soragoi, Tancho, Utsuri, White, White with Black Patterns (Shiro Bekko), Yellow, Yellow with Black Patterns (Ki Bekko)