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Word(Pronunciation) Meaning
Taiko(tie koh)
Height. The height of a Koi from the top of the back to the bottom of the belly. Measurement of the widest part. It is said that Koi that have a big Taiko have the potential to grow very large. Of course, it is important to consider all of the factors.
Taisho(tie' show) The era when Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) was developed.
Taisho Sanshoku [Sanke]
(tie' show san' syow coo)

Proper name for Sanke or Taisho Sanke. Sanshoku means three colors. While breeding Kohaku, Koi with black pigments suddenly appeared. While the primary evaluation is still based on the Kohaku pattern, the variety was improved to have the added highlight of large, lacquer-black Sumi patches that these Koi are known for today.
Tancho
(than' ch-oh)
Koi whose only Hi is the round spot on the head, resembles the red circle in the middle of the Japanese flag.
Taragoi
(tah rah goy)
"IF" Koi. Tara means "IF." Koi that can become great IF one or several conditions are met. For example, "If Sumi appears in this particular place in the Shiroji, this Koi would be an excellent Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke)." It is similar in meaning to Tategoi, but used to describe Koi that must change in order to become better. A Taragoi is not necessarily a Tategoi, but a Tategoi is a Taragoi.
Tasukigake
(tah sue key gahk eh)
Literally a cord that runs diagonally across the back to hold up the sleeves of a kimono. Describes a pattern that crosses the back diagonally. It is not called Tasukigake when the pattern crosses the back in a straight line (but it may then be Obi Zumi). If the Tasukigake is thin, then it may also be Himo Zumi.
Tategoi
(tat' eh goy)
Koi that will improve. A Nishikigoi that is unfinished but has a promising future. Nishikigoi that have good potential to become excellent after several years of good Koi care.
Tate Hi
(tat' eh hee)
Long Hi. Hi plate that goes from the mouth towards the tail. Because there is no Maki, it lacks in power. A Hi plate that crosses over the backbone and has Maki is called Kuragake. Also refered to as "Vertical Hi".
Tate Zumi
(tat' eh zoo' mee)
Long Sumi. A long Sumi shape that is generally parallel to the dorsal fin of the Koi. Sumi tends to appear in a Kuragake shape, and very few Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) and Showa have Tate Zumi. Large Tate Zumi make a strong impact, unlike Tate Hi which appears as a weak pattern. Thin Tate Zumi may be Himo Zumi.
Teaka(the ah kah) Pectoral fins with Hi. Except a few varieties like Asagi, Shusui, and Aka Hajiro, the pectoral fin should be white. When the Hi spreads to the ends of the pectoral fins, it is considered a defect. Small Hi at the base of the pectoral fins is a feature called Motoaka.
Tejima(te h jee ma) Striped Sumi. Most often used to describe the pectoral fins of Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke). Also called Houki (broom) Zumi. It also used to be called Rentaiki (means flag of regiment) because it looked like the flag of the old navy of Japan. It is said that a few Tejima in Sanke makes the body pattern more stable.
Teri(te h ree) Skin shine. Koi produce a secretion called the slime coat on the surface of the body to protect the skin. Healthy Koi produce a lot of this secretion and it creates a shine over the body. Unhealthy Koi produces less secretion and thus the skin does not have sheen. This sheen is called Teri.
Tezumi
(te h zoo' mee)
Sumi in the pectoral fins. While Sumi can cover any part of the fins, it is considered ideal that Tezumi appear as Motoguro in Kumonryu, Shiro Utsuri, and Showa. Some varieties would ideally have Motoaka, and the rest (except those of solid color) would ideally have white pectoral fins without Tezumi.
Tobihi(toe' bee he) An unnecessary red scale, a fault, not part of the pattern.
Tobi Hi(toe' bee he) Hi Alone. Hi that is not part of a Hi plate. Because it is usually about one scale in size and does not form a Hi plate, it is considered unnecessary Hi. But there are cases where one Tobi Hi could accentuate the pattern. A description used with scaled Koi while Mudagoke refers to a Doitsu Koi.
Toh Hi(toe' he) Red on the head.
Tome Sumi
(toe' meh sue' mee)
Stop Sumi. Tome means "stop." A Sumi patch that ends in the tail section, or Sumi creating the Odome of Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) or Showa. Tome Sumi is very important, and much more valuable than Hi in the Odome.
Tosai(toe' sigh) Baby Koi. Koi that are less than 1 year old.
Tsubo(t-sue bow') A critical area.
Tsubo Zumi
(t-sue bow' zoo' me)
Critical Sumi. Sumi that appears in a critical area that balances the pattern. May or may not appear in the Shiroji.
Tsukitsuke
(t-sue key t-sue keh)
Hi Pattern that runs over the head and touches the nose. Has lass Hi than a Menkaburi (or Zukinkaburi) pattern where the Hi covers the head.

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