Named after Japan's national bird the Tancho Crane. Tancho means red cap. Kohaku, Sanke and Showa that have only a single red spot which is on the head. We call these koi Tancho, Tancho Sanke and Tancho Showa respectively and they are shown in Tancho class. The Tancho spot must be between the eyes and preferable perfectly round. It must not go back onto the shoulder of the koi or down to the nose of the koi. Red may not appear anywhere else on the koi to be shown in Tancho class. A sumi pattern may cross the Tancho mark on a Tancho Showa. No other variety with a spot on the head may be shown in Tancho class. This includes Goshiki with red spot on the head, Bekko with black spot on the head and Ogon with orange spot on the head to name a few.

It is also considered to be lucky. The single red spot on a white ground reminiscent of the Japanese flag, gives rise to the alternative name of Hinormaru and is consequently held in high esteem. Tancho generally consist of the big three varieties, namely Tancho Kohaku, Tancho Sanke and Tancho Showa, with the single red head marking being common to each. Although not bred purposely, Tancho occur naturally in the course of production of their respective varieties, nonetheless good specimens are highly prized.Tancho Kohaku, the main variety, is basically a simple Koi with a single red head marking and a white body. The head marking should be as large as possible with a circular shape being the ideal.