MKPC-SE - 2011 Events
April 30 - May 1, 2011 Kodama Koi Academy II
21 Enthusiastically Attend Kodama Academy II
By John Rae
Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, Taro and Mamaru Kodama educated club members and guests from as far away as Long Island, New York and Green Bay, Wisconsin regarding Japanese breeding and how to select Bekko, Matsuba, Asagi, Shusui, Aigoromo, Goshiki, Kujyaku, and Ogon.
As the post seminar feedback attests, the Kodamas presented with enthusiasm and passion. Mr. Kodama spoke in Japanese, always with lively gesticulations and with direct eye contact to the audience. Then, Taro, his son, translated, often with comments about how his father felt and wanted all to appreciate the generational commitment of the koi breeders to the development of the various varieties. Attendee, Beth Rubenstein commented that “The counter play between father and son is to be admired, for it is filled with both respect and wisdom.”
The repeated theme for selecting koi was Quality, Body Confirmation, and Pattern and these key points were demonstrated by analyzing PowerPoint slides and then moving to the live koi in the holding tanks.
Club members and guests never felt lectured to but rather the presentation was filled with interaction by way of questions and answers. As Richard Rubenstein of Commerce Lake said “No questions were too simple and all answers were given with grace and charm.”
Club member Dennis Long summed up the benefits of the two-day seminar by saying, “The seminar took me to a level of knowledge that I never imagined. Mr. Kodama explained the development of each koi variety and gave a clear explanation of how they were bred. In addition, with this knowledge and understanding, I will be a more skilled judge of koi quality and potential. Thank you Mr. Kodama.”
Mr Kodama welcome the class
Mr. Kodama passionately makes his point
Attendees intently listen
Taro translates the details
Two heads are better than one
Hands on lesson
Paying attention to detail
Graduation certificates
It's easy to learn when it's fun
Thank You from the Master
The Graduates