Love From an Obento Box

Japanese food culture is not as different from that of my experience living in the United States. Although the foods they consume may be different, many of the concepts remain the same. The idea behind a typical American style lunch from a mother or father to a child is to give them something they will enjoy and remind them that they are loved. The typical lunch box might include a PB&J sandwich, an apple and other little snacks. Lunch is usually a child’s favorite time of day, and the Japanese realized the importance of it as well.

The idea behind an obento box is a simple one, however, it is made more elaborate by the complexity of the individuals design. Japanese students worked extremely hard in school, and the obento boxes, typically made by the mothers, were a way to give the student a break from hard work and allow them the comforts of their own home with food that brightened their spirits. Many of the obento boxes are propaganda, designed like famous scholars, urging the students to continue to work hard in order to accomplish great things in life. Obento boxes are not always designed as propaganda, but are always made to remind the child at home that they are loved, and to give them a break from a hard day at school.

I had the opportunity to create an obento box for a loved one. Mine was a far cry than that of the Japanese culture, and although I would like to believe I have the talent or ability to create something as magnificent as an authentic Japanese obento box, I realize that will most likely never happen. I might not have had the artistic vision or patience one needs to create a prizewinning obento box, but I did have the right mind set. To create a meal that was fun, loving an enjoyable.

The design is simple; a nice rice man reaching his cucumber arms out to give a hug to the student to express a feeling of love and comfort coming from a friend. Obento boxes are masterful with ornate designs, but I hope that one day when I make lunches for my children, I can convey my love for them, even with a simple PB&J sandwich. I know that when I look back upon my elementary school days, I loved going to lunch and exploring all the great food my mom took the time to make for me.