This work, display a group of beautiful koi’s surrounded by roses and lilly pads. Koi’s are a special breed of fish which originated in China. While koi are often associated with Japan, their origins are actually in China. The common carp, from which koi are bred, is believed to have been domesticated in China as early as the 4th century BC. However, the specific colorful koi varieties, like the ones we see today, were developed in Japan, particularly in the Niigata Prefecture.