An artist who works with a medium at 200 degrees Fahrenheit is certainly brave, but a skilled Amezaiku artist can turn hot sugar into something exquisite. Using various tools, including one's hands, the molten candy is converted into a realistic, if somewhat transparent, animal.
Amezaiku is an ancient Japanese tradition dating back to the Heian period (794 to 1185 CE), when people would leave the hardened taffy creations as temple offerings. In the Edo period (1603 to 1868), the confection became more popular thanks to traveling street vendors, who would regale passersby with candymaking, stories, and music. Songs and poems celebrated the art; however, they offered little in the way of detailed descriptions that allowed future generations to carry on the craft.
Shinri Tezuka is a modern day Amezaiku artist trying to keep the tradition alive. Read about his craft at Mental Floss.