In fact, this is not real fish. Amazingly, it is made of candy, can you believe it?
“Ameshin” boasts the best technology in Japan known for delicate sculptured candy. There are stores in Skytree Town which is a famous sightseeing spot, so there may be people who have seen stunning candy work there. At this Asakusa main store, there is a workshop where you can experience candy work and you can actually make delicate sculptured candy yourself. The Asakusa main store is a Japanese-style modern appearance that overlooks the dark brown grid on the eaves and the walls, a shop with a thin reddish brown banner and a suspended blind. Inside the store, various items made by candy craftsmen are exhibited and sold, and everyone is marveled at its delicate and precise finish. There is also a hands-on classroom that makes simple “rabbit” candy work, and it is often filled with laughter by many participants.
“Amezaiku” (sculptured candy) that are now a rarity. It has a long history, and it is said that “Amezaiku” was introduced from China. At the time of the built of To-ji Temple(*) in 796 years, an “Amezaiku” seemed to have been given as an offering. It spread across the Kansai area in about 1801, and a technique of the handiwork developed afterwards in the Edo era. Because of the detail of the work, and difficulty of handing down the tradition of the technique, it is placed as one of the Traditional Arts and Crafts.
* : To-ji Temple – Grand head temple of the Toji Shingon sect

About the Amezaiku, it is an extract of the website of Ameshin.
Amezaiku is a traditional Japanese candy craft art.Softened candy by heating around 90°C is finely crafted by bare hands and traditional Japanese scissors.
Amezaiku must be finished within a few minutes after taking out of candy from pot due to characteristic of candy, hardened when cooled and softened when heated.
To craft Amezaiku, it does not shave off such as sculpture.

Amezaiku is crafted by cutting, pulling, and bending round candy which is attached at the end of stick and crafted effectively without waste.
It is said Japanese Amezaiku originated in the 8th century. During Edo period, craftsmen peddled Amezaiku on streets and Amezaiku was entertainment of common people.
The technique of Amezaiku has been inherited. however, because Amezaiku is a subculture, there is no literature with detailed description.

The works of Amezaiku are too nice to eat, aren’t they? When you actually come to the store, it is sure that you can enjoy the demonstration sale or the Amezaiku experience.

How about “Amezaiku Ameshin” that a traditional technique only in Japan is splendid? Do you want to see the real thing when you see the photograph? Please see real Amezaiku.

Information
Name: | Ameshin - Amezaiku |
Adresse: | Imado 1-4-3 Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0024 Japan |
Access: | Tokyo Metro Subway Ginza-sen Line “Asakusa-eki Station” (15 minutes walk) |
Tel: | (+81) 3-5808-7988 |
Price: | Sculptured Candy Experience Class 3,000 yen (Adult) 2,500 yen (High School Students or Under) Please refer the official web page. |
Official site: | http://www.ame-shin.com/ |
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