[Goldfish Edo Tales] Night 10: The Two Faces of Ranchu

Welcome everyone.I, Yuugyotei Junmyoraku, tell the "Goldfish Edo Tales".Tonight we finally reach double digits, the 10th night.

The partner tonight is the Ranchu, celebrated as the "Ozeki"(Champion) of the goldfish world.A figure that sits heavily without a dorsal fin.Please enjoy this ultimate goldfish that Edo masters loved even as family treasures.

So then, let it begin, let it begin...

Night 10: "The Two Faces of Ranchu"

Well, if you speak of the supreme commander of goldfish, it is none other than this "Ranchu".It completely cast away its dorsal fin, and instead gained that rugged and brave head wen(nikuryu) and a magnificent belly like a drum.Viewed from above, it has the impact of a "Magistrate" sitting in the water.

Now, Toku - san, the landlord of a row house here, is one of those who fell in love with this Ranchu. "Listen, a Ranchu is not something that swims around. You worship its dignity 'sitting' in the water. This is the model of an unshakable man."

Toku - san sits formally in front of the tank every day, admiring that "stern face" of the Ranchu.Then, Hachigoro, a frivolous man, came along, peered into the bowl, and tilted his head.

"Landlord, this goldfish... isn't its face a bit too scary? If a baby saw it, they'd cry. Also, since it has no dorsal fin, it looks 'smooth' and lacks discipline."

Toku - san shouted back in anger. "Hachi-san, don't say such boorish things. Throwing away useless decorations and competing only with the intensity of the face. This is the essence of Edo!"

However, at that moment, Toku - san accidentally dropped a grain of food onto the water surface.Then, the Ranchu, which had been full of dignity, shook its bottom side to side and started chasing the food desperately.Because it has no dorsal fin, it swims around in a truly funny manner, shaking its belly left and right.

Seeing that, Hachigoro held his sides and started laughing.

"Landlord, look at that. That Magistrate is dancing without caring about appearances for a single piece of food. Where did the dignity from a moment ago go?"

Toku - san turned bright red and said,

"It's fine! Just as its name is 'Ranchu', when you show it food, it immediately goes into 'Ranchu' (Chaos/Disorder)!"