Shinobu Ichiyanagi
also known as "CANDYMAN" is a master Amezaiku or candy sculpture artist. As a party and event entertainer, he specializes in sculpting hot taffy-like candy into fantastic animals and objects using a palette of gemstone inspired candy colors. This traditional ancient Japanese folk art that originated in China has been practiced for over a 1000 years in Japan. Through a thirty-year career, Ichiyanagi has become known internationally as a live performance artist. His big fans call him as a ”Shan The Candyman", "Shan The Candy Sculptor", "Shan The Candy Artist" and more. In addition to his Amezaiku career, Ichiyanagi is a Graduate Gemologist G.G. - jewelry designer and a karate Instructor, holding Black Belts in three styles, Shorinji Kempo - Shotekan Karate - Shinkendo. Early life Ichiyanagai was born in the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Hokkaido Island; the second of three sons and one sister of Miyako and Osamu Ichiyanagi. He moved to Los Angeles in the U.S. a month after graduating in 1971 from Sapporo Kosei High School at the age of 18. to live with his one relative, Kazuko and John Smith (sponsors), in. This was the beginning of Ichiyangi’s own personal cultural exchange with America. Careers