Peter Slavin, USA (left) and Junichi Nakamura (right), 2007 World Ice Art Championships. Here they are sitting in front of a template for “Aiming Eyes,” their single-block/realistic entry.
Photo credit: Rhonda Konicki
for Ice Alaska
Junichi Nakamura works on “Earring,” Fairbanks, Alaska, 2004.
Photo credit: Julie Coghill for
Ice Alaska
Junichi Nakamura is from Hokkaido, Japan, and is known throughout the world as one of the finest world ice sculpting champions. He has competed in Fairbanks since 1996 and claims it as his favorite place to “express his appreciation for the art,” through multi-block competition, where he can work on a large scale.
“In the summer, Junichi Nakamura works as a farmer growing potatoes, sugar beets and wheat on the large northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. In the winter, he “vacations” by traveling around the world participating in ice carving competitions.” (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Beth Ipsen, Web posted, March 16, 2006.)
Melissa Chapin, of Ice Alaska notes. “The Japanese tend to be more into planning the ice sculptures in advance. Nakamura is a farmer in Japan. Many of his neighbors probably don’t know of his talents as an ice artist.” He plans his work throughout the year as he farms. When the weather is right and the competitions begin he goes to meticulously execute his plan. “Many of the US teams are more free in their approach, problem solving and thinking on the spot.” As a true master Junichi is shares his knowledge with everyone.
Here is a short list of a few of his award-winning pieces: In 2006 Junichi worked with Steve Brice on “Beach Walker,” receiving first place in the single-block/realistic category.
In 2006, “Mysterious Pearl” won second place in the multi-block/realistic category. Team members: Junichi Nakamura, Shinichi Sawamura, Derek Maxfield, and Daniel Reboltz, a Japan/United States team.
In 2002 “King of the Sky” won first place for the Japanese team of Junichi Nakamura and Hideshi Terada in the single-block/realistic category. This same year “King of the Jungle” took second in multi-block/realistic. Junichi Nakamura, Shinichi Sawamura, Aaron Costic and Steve Brice made up this Japan/United States team.