The Nishikigoi, often hailed as the king of ornamental fish, is a treasure Japan proudly shares with the world. Its history spans over 200 years, originating in the late Edo period. In what is now the Yamakoshi area of Nagaoka City and the eastern part of Ojiya City in Niigata Prefecture—formerly known as Nijuumura—severe winter snowfalls isolated the region. This led to the thriving winter breeding of crucian carp as a vital food source. The emergence of sudden genetic mutations that produced new colors and patterns is believed to have marked the birth of Nishikigoi.