Devin Swanson is the first and only person to date who has been granted a Cultural Studies Visa for the study of Nishikigoi by the Japanese government.

At 17 years old Devin was invited to begin a three-year long apprenticeship at Marudo Koi Farm-one of the most highly respected and prestigious koi farms in Japan.  To the envy of every Koi hobbyist alive, the next three years of his life was spent living in the Niigata mountains.  There he learned how to speak Japanese, how to read Kanji like a 3rd grader, how to drive a car on the wrong side of the road, how one pays for their utility bills in Japan, and all the secrets behind the Japanese way of producing the most beautiful Koi in the world.  

His apprentice life consisted of waking in the wee hours of the morning in the darkness of winter to ship Koi, sleepless nights spent waiting for Koi to spawn, long spring days painstakingly selecting through each Koi born under the banner of Marudo Koi Farm, suffocatingly hot summer days spent scrubbing greenhouse tanks to pristine condition, all for the satisfaction of (hopefully!) harvesting Koi that would bring pride to the farm and all those who have laboured alongside him.  

Devin’s extensive training is unrivaled and has led to opportunities to consult for numerous other Koi professionals within the industry.

Demi Koi was established to share his unique perspective, aspiring to find creative and unexpected solutions to challenges faced by the modern Koi hobbyist