Japan is a haven for all sorts of amazing art forms that range from the sublime to the downright odd. This one is somewhere in between.
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Amezaiku is the Japanese craft of making lollipops. Not just any lollipop, mind you, but artistic lollipops with realistic animal designs.
Dating back to the eighth century, these elegant lollipops were created by highly skilled artisans to be presented as gifts.
It’s a craft that lives on today, thanks to Shinri Tezuka, the 26-year-old owner of a small shop called Ameshin.
Located in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, Ameshin features a menagerie of animals — all of which are completely edible.
Made with sugary syrup, starch, and organic coloring, these sweet confections range from 1,000 to 2,000 yen ($8-17).
Tezuka also holds regular workshops for those who want to learn how to make their own amezaiku.
Workshops cost 2,000 yen for children and 2,500 yen for adults.
Now the real question is — could you bring yourself to lick these marvellous creations?
See more of Tezuka’s amezaikus here.