Amazing Watermelon Sculptures

THESE incredible life-like sculptures have all been painstakingly hand carved out of juicy WATERMELONS.

Takashi Itoh, 33, spends up to 90 minutes on each fruit using a tiny Thai carving knife to intricately slice flowers, figurines and even a 3D portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. Hotel chef Takashi began carving the fantastic sculptures out of the green and red melons in 2001 after being inspired while on holiday in Thailand. Self-taught Takashi has created hundreds of sculptures including roses, carvings of famous people and classic Japanese historical scenes over the last eight years. Takashi, from Tokyo, said today that his sculpting had taken over his life and although it was an unusual hobby he got a great deal of enjoyment from it.
He said: "Anyone can learn to carve the melons and all it takes is a little patience." Because watermelons are colourful they are attractive and because it is one of the bigger fruits it allows me to make more powerful and interesting creations. "I spend about one hour carving a watermelon but if I carve a simple character, it can take about 20 minutes. A flower decoration takes a little longer at 40 to 90 minutes. "Takashi often puts his work on display and the sculptures last about two days. He added: "My favourite sculpture is the Japanese symbol for number 11 which is represented by a crane and a turtle. "This number is regarded as lucky and supposedly brings fortune to those who carve it.
"Among some of Takashi's more interesting carvings are melons shaped into sumo wrestlers, dancers, sports stars and Japanese dragons.