Ameshin – Amezaiku (Sculptured Candy), Tokyo

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“Ameshin” is a shop of Japanese traditional craft, “Amezaiku” (sculptured candy), in Asakusa. You can enjoy amezaiku demonstrations and make amezaiku in a modern Japanese atmosphere.
In Japan, amezaiku is thought to have been performed since the 8th century. In the Edo period, amezaiku craftsmen already existed, and they began to sell around the streets of Edo and have become popular as entertainment for many people.
Asakusa Amesin’s amezaiku is a traditional culture that uses a bare hand and a pair of scissors to form a splendid that has been softened by heating up to 90 degrees to create wonderful works. Amezaiku, which makes use of the nature that softens when warmed and hardens when cooled, must be finished within a few minutes after removing the firewood from the pan. There is no work to cut like a sculpture, and a round ridge attached to the tip of the stick is made without wasting it by cutting or extending with scissors.
Amesin’s amezaiku is often modeled on creatures such as animals. It is so real that it seems to start moving, and the details of the details are so elaborate that it is too wasteful to eat easily.
A goldfish that is also a masterpiece of Amesin’s amezaiku. Various kinds of goldfish have been realistically reproduced. The curves of the tail fin and dorsal fin swaying in each scale and water are also exquisite. The work is so wonderful that it seems to float in the aquarium.
Amesin also offers an amezaiku experience class. Experience classes are only possible at the Hanakawado store in Asakusa, and you can make a reservation in advance. The time required is about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. The price of the experience is 3000 yen for adults and 2500 yen for children. You can experience full-fledged amezaiku using thermal equipment and scissors.
Ameshin is a 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line and Tobu Line. It is about an 8-minute walk from Asakusa Kaminarimon.
Amezaiku store Ameshin is a spot that retains Japanese traditional culture. A number of works that are brilliantly created by craftsmen moving their hands dexterously and using a tool called scissors. You should be able to do it! Why don’t you go to Amesin, an Asakusa craft shop, to experience your own original craftwork?

Traditional Arts and Crafts of Japan

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

Crafted by bare hands

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.

Originated in the 8th century

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 Amezaiku experience

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.

Traditional technique only in Japan

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(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)

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/