Carps

Japan is a country where a large population leaves little land available for flower gardens.

The Japanese, therefore, have found places to grow living flowers, the colored carps.

They appeared in Japan many centuries ago and the Japanese have crossbred them for over 100 years, producing carps of high value. Contests are held and the carps are judged according to the number of spots, variety of colors, patterns on their bodies and types of scales.

Indispensable inhabitants in the pond of any Japanese garden, carp bring a flash of colour to the shallow waters.

These "living flowers" are very popular in Japan, and are even entered in competitions, where they are judged on their colours and patterns and the quality of their scales.

Carps can live for up to 50 years. In Japanese culture, they are a symbol of strength and perseverance.