Legend Of The Koi by evaproduction

錦鯉 K O I

Legend of the Koi

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Legend of The Koi 錦鯉の伝説

Koi fishes - beautiful, captivating, sometimes enchanting, even; they glisten through the ponds slightly below its surface, often if you may not have noticed - swimming towards where the current would begin. They hold so much more history and story that meets the eye.

Over the years, the koi fish and its meaning and symbolism has become iconic around the world - being translated into endless forms of art such as paintings, crafts, tattoos, philosophies, tradition, stories, and even morales that parents will pass on from generations to generations. Let us look into how these beautiful creatures has swam its way to it’s great significance in today’s world.

Legend of the Koi

Introduction ç´š äť&#x2039;

Many years ago, in a time before r e c o r d e d h i s t o r y, a h u g e s c h o o l containing thousands of koi swam up t h e Ye l l o w R i v e r. A l l w a s g o i n g w e l l until the koi reached a waterfall. I m m e d i a t e l y, a l a r g e n u m b e r o f t h e m grew discouraged and turned back, finding it much easier to simply go w i t h t h e f l o w o f t h e r i v e r. Ye t , a determined group of 360 koi stayed on. 4

Straining and leaping, each koi strove to reach the top of the falls. Again and again they flung their bodies into the a i r o n l y t o f a l l b a c k i n t o t h e w a t e r. A l l this splashing noise drew the attention of the local demons who laughed at the efforts of the struggling koi. Adding to t h e i r m i s e r y, t h e d e m o n s s a d i s t i c a l l y increased the height of the falls.

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Undeterred, the koi continued their efforts for one hundred years. At last, with one heroic leap, a single koi reached the top of the falls. The Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smiled down in approval and transformed the exhausted koi into a shining golden dragon. He joyfully spends his days chasing pearls of wisdom across the skies of the vast and eternal heavens. Whenever another koi finds the strength and courage to leap up the falls, he or she too becomes a heavenly dragon.

My Skin

- Beauty Through Adversity Dating all the way back to 20 million years, fossils of the koi fish proves that these ancient creatures have been around multitudes of years longer that we could have imagined. The koi, although heavily associated with Japan, their origins points back all the way China, in Central Asia. Chinese invaders were the ones responsible for introducing the carp onto Japanese soil. It was only around 500 B.C, that the fishes were named ‘Koi’ - simply meaning “carp” in Japanese - kois are also called, more specifically ‘nishikigoi’ in Japan l i t e r a l l y m e a n i n g “ b r o c a d e d c a r p ”.

7 Over time, the koi has been categorised into the three kinds of naturally occurring colour mutation. ‘Magoi’ is the Japanese term for a wild carp. ‘ Te t s u ’, t h e f i r s t k i n d o f k o i i s translated is the Iron Magoi. Fo l l o w e d by t h e M u d M a g o i c a l l e d ‘ D o r o’ a n d l a s t l y ‘A s a g i ’, t h e A s a g i M a g o i .

Legend of the Koi

The koi was originally a species of dull grey fish farmed for consuming. The patches of colours on the carpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bodies could have already been spotted in China due to natural mutations in the early 1800s, but it was only when in the hands of the Japanese farmers - also known as the creators of the Nishikigoi - further pushed the naturally occurring mutations on the carp and took it to the next level, developing and bringing about countless of variation of brilliant colours and patterns on t h e ko i â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s b o d y. 8 Between the 1820s and 1830s, Japanese rice farmers still kept the koi as food fish but bred some of these colourful carps separately for aesthetic appeal and also as pets for themselves. In 1914, the interests for the koi increased drastically to a national level when the magnificent and beautiful carps were presented to Emperor Hirohitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Imperial Palace moat for ornamental purposes.

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Legend of the Koi

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Mutation

Dull and unimportant, Grown only for food; Specs of jewel grew on me.

突然変異

Ornamental I became, Recognition I have gained; I a m , n o t h i n g b u t a f o r c e d b e a u t y.

Legend of the Koi

My Body

- Strength Through The Force The koi fish is known for it’s natural tendency to swim upstream and against the flowing currents. Because of this nature, the koi’s body is strong and muscular due the constant struggle of swimming against the f o r c e o f r i v e r. T h e m o s t o u t s t a n d i n g legend of the koi that has been passed down through the generations is that a lone koi transform into a golden dragon after it has successfully swam itself all the way to the top of a high waterfall.

Because of this legend, the koi fish’s determinative nature to struggle upstream is highly associated as the symbol of strength and perseverance. They also represent the meaning of one’s destiny being fulfilled, overall carrying nothing less than a very positive imagery wherever they go.

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The various colouration of the koi brings different meanings and symbolism, each encompassing a s t r o n g a n d p o s i t i v e c h a ra c t e r. Masculinity is represented with the Black koi, also signifying a patriarchal role. The matriarchal role, strenght and power is represented through the Red koi. The Gold koi is popularly k n o w n f o r p r o s p e r i t y, w e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g i n b u s i n e s s e s . L a s t l y, tranquility and the role of the son is represented in the Blue koi.

Legend of the Koi

“B e c a u s e o f t h i s l e g e n d , t h e k o i f i s h ’s determinative nature to struggle upstream is highly associated as the s y m b o l o f s t r e n g t h a n d p e r s e v e r a n c e .” Back in the olden days, Samurai Warriors in Japan uses the symbolism o f t h e ko i , a s s o c i a t i n g w i t h b ra v e r y, i n t e g r i t y a n d h i g h s e n s e o f c h a ra c t e r. Overlapping with the Chinese culture, they represents worldly aspiration and advancement. New and young government officials were rewarded a carved stone seal decorated with pictures of koi fishes and dragons. Just a few examples of how the symbolism of koi fishes are carried throughout cultures.

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Legend of the Koi

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Perserverence

Oh. Currents of the river wide, Yo u r s t r e a m s p u s h e s w i t h s t r i d e ; But forward I will continue to climb. O n l y f o r b e a u t y, I a m n o t , Strength comes from within; And from within I will rise.

忍耐力

Legend of the Koi

My Life

- Against The Currents

Like many things in life, to follow a crowd is easy but staying on track and making it to the finish line, with a l l o d d s a g a i n s t y o u - T H AT i s h a r d to do. Often times, it is the only way to reach your goals. In the wild, strength is gained by the koi - which are cold water fishes - by swimming against the currents. This strange nature of the carps have captivated the interests and imagination of fish fanciers for centuries. The legend tells us that in a time before recorded h i s t o r y, a m a s s i v e s c h o o l m a k i n g up from thousands of koi swam up t h e Ye l l o w R i v e r o f C h i n a . T h e k o i glistened and flashed in the sunlight like living jewels with the colours from their well muscled bodies.

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“ Freedom began on the day the first s h e e p w a n d e r e d a w a y f r o m t h e h e r d .” — Marty Rubin

The journey was going well until the thousands of kois reached a waterfall. That was where the journey really began. A large number of the kois instantly grew discouraged and turned back. Knowing that things will be easier to just simply going with the f l o w o f t h e r i v e r.

Legend of the Koi

Strive 怒める

Ye l l o w r i v e r, f a r a n d w i d e , Currents, pushes and strains Strive on, little carp. T h e j o u r n e y g e t s h a r d e r, Waterfall to the heavens; It is only the beginning.

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Legend of the Koi

My Journey

- No Turning Back

Straining and leaping, only 360 determined kois out of the thousands continued and strive towards their destiny at the top of the falls. P e r s i s t e n t l y, t h e y f l u n g t h e i r b o d i e s again and again into the air but only to fall back into the water - making a lot of splashing noises. The sounds of the splashings caught the attention of the local demons. Upon seeing the efforts of the struggling koi, they sadistically heighten the waterfall - adding to their misery - and continued to laugh a w a y. D e s p i t e h a v i n g a l l o d d s a g a i n s t them, the koi still refused to surrender and continued their efforts for a hundred years.

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U n t i l f i n a l l y, a s i n g l e ko i w i t h o n e heroic leap - manage to successfully reach the top of the waterfall. The Gods saw the efforts of the koi and with their satisfying approval, they transformed the exhausted koi into a shining golden dragon. The golden dragon then spends his days gleefully chasing pearls of wisdom across the skies of the eternal heavenly realm. So when another koi finds its strength and courage to reach to the top of the falls - in which has become to be known as ‘The Dragon’s Gate’ - the koi too will be transformed into a heavenly dragon.

“B e c a u s e o f t h i s s t o r y o f t h e k o i and the waterfall legend, the koi’s endurance and perseverance has become a symbol of overcoming adversities and fulfilling one’s d e s t i n y / g o a l i n l i f e .”

Legend of the Koi - Landscape

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Destiny é &#x2039; ĺ&#x2018;˝ A platoon of a thousand, Down to a quarter; The weak surrenders. War of a hundred years,. Alas, alone; It is just me, against the world.

Legend of the Koi - Still Life

Transformation ĺ¤&#x2030; ć?&#x203A;

A simple carp I was, A dragon now I have become, Destiny fulfilled. T h e w a t e r f a l l , m y u p h i l l w a r, Work hard, little carp; Now the heavens, my realm.

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Legend of the Koi

My Goal

- The Final Form The koi, through hard work and perseverance finally reaches itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final form - a dragon. The dragon also symbolises greatness and power; a heavenly being. In modern day contexts, the koiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s symbolism of strength and perseverance stays on. However there are also more meanings that were represented by the koi. These meanings includes:

Perseverance and Power 28

Koi fishes are known for swimming upstream regardless o f w e a t h e r, a d v e r s i t i e s , challenges, and even the height of the waterfall. In Japanese and Chinese culture, the characteristics is an absolute show of power that will never be deterred by anything.

Independence How often do you see a fish swimming upstream? Most fishes will only follow the flow of the river and allow it to take them wherever the currents bring them to. The koi on the other hand swim against the currents and is seen as a symbol of nonc o n f o r m i t y.

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Legend of the Koi

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Bravery An old myth dictates that when a koi fish is taken out of the w a t e r, i t d o e s n o t f l u t t e r a r o u n d in the manner that most fishes would. Instead, it moves very little and accepts anything that brought upon it. The koi fish also will not move when placed on a cutting board. This is seen by many people as a sign of absolute bravery when in the face of defeat whereas other fishes will try to fight and struggle their way out.

Good Luck The koi is associated with good luck and fortune, although there may not be many reasons for it. Businesses often has the koi presented and displayed as a blessing to their businesses and well being.

Legend of the Koi

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The End 終わり

Designed + Illustrated + written by: Ya p E v a 100653381 2016-HS1-DDD30015 Visual Narrative and Integrated Media (Semester 1 - Thursday 8.30am)