First Japanese Magician Crowned World Champion
The prestigious International Federation of Magicians has named a 24-year-old part timer from Kyoto as the world’s best magician for a trick he performed with … buttons.
Charismatic “Ibuki” achieved the remarkable feat of winning top honors for both close-up and micro magic to become the first Japanese and only the third Asian to achieve such a feat.
On Oct. 16, Ibuki performed his original magic trick at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. “I created this trick to be done only with buttons, not coins or other things. That is important,” he said.
He moved buttons one after another from his suit to appear to be sewn onto a handkerchief from the audience in an instant, captivating the room.
Known as the “Olympics of Magic,” the triennial global competition was founded in 1948, attracting its first Japanese entrant in 1970.
The title of Grand Prix is the highest honor for magicians worldwide and means the recipient is the “world’s best magician.”
Ibuki’s Grand Prix win has been met with praise from many of Japan’s most renowned magicians, including Mr. Maric and Mr. Cero.
Naturally, he shares the praise with his team of three: one teaches him posture, timing and eye movements, to “polish my moves.” The other partner produces the events.
Ibuki said, “This award is something I could never have achieved alone. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Setona, who directed the act, and Hisa, who has continued to support us in management, as well as the team that has walked this path with us. With this award as a springboard, I hope to once again create a magic boom in Japan, and I will continue to take on the challenge as a leader in this endeavor.”
His victory makes him the first Japanese magician to triumph in the triennial competition that began in 1948, with Japan’s first participation recorded in 1970.
Entrants must first be recommended by their country’s national body, then regionally, before being accepted at the World Championships. This year it was held in Italy and drew some 150 magicians. Ibuki won the All Japan Close-Up Magic Championship in 2023, 2024 and 2025 before competing at the World Championships in July in two main categories: close up magic and stage magic, such as “cutting up” people.
How did you start?
“I first saw magic at a birthday party, then someone gave me a pack of cards as a gift. I watched videos, joined the school magic club, performed street magic shows, but had no mentor. I was completely self taught,” he said.
Ibuki describes his day job as “company employee,” performing magic shows in the evenings and at weekends. “I don’t want to do magic full time because then I might get bored. I would like to change society by showing people how they can work in a job that pays the bills and another one that is for love.”