The Peacock Dancers

Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
~Martha Graham

The jikin is also known as the Peacock Tail, a good jikin specimen has an arched-up body in order to have the desired near-vertical top caudal fins. The fins should also spread open like the petals of a flower when viewed from the rear.

In recent years, a Chinese breeder has managed to produce a bloodline of very nice jikins with very good tail quality. Contrary to the Japanese, the Chinese hobbyists appreciate the jikin from the side view and are not so particular on the 12-red colour patterns mandatory in Japanese show jikins.

Nevertheless, the Jikin is a undisputable dance artiste be it viewed from the top or the side. Notice how beautifully the 4 caudal fins move independently of each other in the video.