Fukiran Registration Requirements

[Shoreguy]

When the Japanese Fukurin Society registers a variety must the decision be unanimous among its members (or perhaps a subset of the membership assigned that responsibility) or is only a certain level of the majority required?

It's possible that the process is more complicated than just a yes or no by the voters but might involve awarding points for various desired characteristics. It's also possible that the process might be secretive.

There is obviously a member on this board who either knows the answer or can try to find out.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

When the Japanese Fukurin Society registers a variety must the decision be unanimous among its members (or perhaps a subset of the membership assigned that responsibility) or is only a certain level of the majority required?

From what I understand, the decision is not up to the members as a whole. Individual varieties are entered for registration by one or more members and the final decision is made by a group of officers during the yearly registration meeting.

I do not know exactly which officers are part of making that decision.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

From what I understand, the decision is not up to the members as a whole. Individual varieties are entered for registration by one or more members and the final decision is made by a group of officers during the yearly registration meeting.

Does registration approval require a unanimous decision or just a majority of the voting officers?

The reason why I am curios is that both Shojo and Shutennou are registered yet their being pure Neofinetias as opposed to hybrids is controversial.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Does approval require a unanimous decision or just a majority of the voting officers?

It is not stated in a public place, that I have found, whether the decision must be unanimous or majority among the officers. However considering how judging at the neo shows goes, it is likely not decided with a formal vote, but debated among the officers with additional weight given to the officers of higher rank.

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

The reason why I am curios is that both Shojo and Shutennou are registered yet their being pure Neofinetias as opposed to hybrids is controversial.

For Shojo and Shutenno, firstly, neither of them are controversial in their status as pure species. Both are pure Neofinetia falcata and were found in the wild long before seed propagation of neos became common place.

However, even though they are pure Neofinetia falcata, both of them would never have been registered if they had followed the current standards of registration back when they were registered. Registration standards have gotten much stricter in recent times especially after the popularization of seed propagation, and standards have shifted to require new registrations to be exceptional in their characteristics in comparison to other previously registered varieties.

The registration of hybrids however, is not controversial. It's simply prohibited. Only pure Neos (beyond a reasonable doubt) are eligible for registration.

Where the controversy does happen is in the genetic identity of certain specific unregistered varieties. There are cases where a yellow flowered or a solid pink flowered variety are purported to have been found in the wild, but later found to have been fraudulently stated as such. In any case, however, if there is any reasonable doubt to the purity, it's not eligible for registration, and none of these have previously been registered either.

Anyway, a brief explanation of the process can be found here: Nihon Fukiran Kai

Every year, the Meikan composition meeting is held in the fall. During that time, applications for new registrations are judged.

New Registration Qualifications and Standards:
The committee looks at the continuity of the characteristics and individuality (having qualities substantially different from pre-existing varieties) among other aspects, and decides whether to approve or decline the registration application.

New Registration Application Process:
Prior to the end of July every year, please consult the executive office or your regional officer of the association.

Registration Formalities:
Information regarding featured characteristics, history, etc. will be requested, as well as a registration fee. Acceptance of new registrations is capped at 3 varieties per year (4 until recently), so decisions to induct registrations may be delayed one or more years after application.

[Shoreguy]

Hakumin,

Thank you for the explanation, especially how Shojo and Shutennou got in.