Will the carp bring something lucky?

SAIJO, Ehime/FUCHU, Hiroshima — Colorful carp swimming in a near-perfect circle at a Shikoku shrine’s pond have become a hot topic of conversation. Ishizuchi Shrine in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, has for many years kept carp in a pond within its grounds, and before the autumn of 2016, their behavior was rather typical. But since then, around 30

sh or more have on occasion been getting together and swimming around in a mesmerizing ring-like formation for up to a minute or so.

e word for “carp” in Japanese is “koi,” which is also a Japanese homonym for “love” or “romance.” Because of the homonymic resemblance, the carp’s circular swimming has been dubbed the koi-dance, or “the dance of love” in English.

According to the shrine, the carp most frequently exhibit such behavior from around the end of April to June and then recommence from October.

A freshwater sh expert said: “Carp are known to chase the tails of other carp during the spawning season, but this is di erent. I’ve never seen them behave like this.”

As it is rare for visitors to encounter the phenomenon, an o cial at the shrine said, “If you can witness it, you may have a connection to the divine.”

Meanwhile, as there are many golden carp in the pond, some worshipers have said: “If you see [the dance], you might have good fortune with money.”

CARP OF HEARTS

In Hiroshima Prefecture, a varicolored carp is gaining popularity for a bright red, heart-shaped marking on the top of its head.

e carp is kept at former traditional restaurant and inn Koishiki. Established in the late 19th century in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, Koishiki is designated as nationally registered tangible cultural property and is managed by the Fuchu municipal government.

“Koishiki” also has connotations of

Yomiuri Shimbun photos Colorful carp swim in a circle at Ishizuchi Shrine in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture.

romance and means “to love you” or “to miss you” in English. e sh was donated by a man who raises them in the city, saying that it was “perfect for Koishiki.” e carp with the heart was named Kokoro, which means “heart” in English. “We hope that Koishiki will become known as a matchmaking spot as it has a carp with a heart-shaped [marking on its head],” said an o cial of the Fuchu City Tourist Association.

A carp with a heart-shaped marking on its head is seen at the former Koishiki inn and restaurant in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture.