I had a conversation today with an 'elder' sensei of ZNA here in America and he quietly reminded me of so much that I knew but haven't thought enough about lately. And that is the culture of ZNA and why dedicated judges are so important to that culture. I know this sounds alien to many of you but koi is a study for a lifetime. It is one of those hobbies that has many facets to it—koi husbandry, veterinary skills, artistic design basics, gardening ability, building, biology study, artistic appreciation, aquarium skills. The list could be longer. And for these reasons Master Koi Keeping at the ZNA level is an apprenticeship experience. It is one of those few things that you can't just learn reading the internet or a book.

ZNA made the core of its focus, the teaching of others regarding these amazing fish. Including, but not limited to, overcoming challenges and also how to learn to see koi as the Japanese do- as living art. The motto, “friendship thru scales” is a statement for kindred spirits. But being ‘on the same page’ is also a matter of instruction. ZNA is meant to be that mentor program.

So the local koi judge may be trained to judge koi shows as one important function. But a good ZNA judge is so much more than that! To the local chapter the locally certified judge is FAR more valuable as the chapters teacher during the other 364 days of the year!

The officers in ZNA were also usually judges and therefore teachers. In this way, a new person joining a chapter was/is surrounded by all different levels of understanding from the one season student to the true mentor. It’s a great way to find one’s own comfort level.

This is also why the TOP of the structure, the ORGANIZATION itself, is not as important as the local chapter. And certainly should not to be the focus. ZNA is all about the local chapter as that is where the learning and teaching goes on. The rest is really not all that important. The show competition between ‘students’ and between the heavy weights is great fun. And one of the best ways I know to learn and have great fun at the same time!

And This is the reason we encourage ZNA members to belong to a LOCAL chapter where ‘thru scales’ friendships can form and learning can be shared. And the local judge can pass along the lesson.

As part of your membership in ZNA you should add the judges mentoring as part of what ZNA gives to you. Indeed I’m often asked by judges who have lost their way, what does ZNA give my chapter for the cost of dues? ZNA gives YOUR chapter YOU! A trained ZNA judge often forgets how much they know.

Thinking of judging as an Elite position is a terrible byproduct of western judging programs. Judges are not the elite of koi – they are responsible for the mentoring of newer hobbyists. And that, like the koi themselves, teaches humility, the opposite of elitism.

JR