Bento, or obento is a meal served in a box. Beyond that basic definition though, just about anything goes as to what kind of box or container is used, as well as what is put inside that box,.
The kind of bento that have garnered the most attention recently, especially outside of Japan are what are called ‘cute bento’ ‘art bento’ or ‘entertaining bento’ (entertain-bento), extremely elaborately decorated small works of art, as exemplified by the work presented on sites like e-obento (Japanese). ((Click on enter and then just the months at the top to see awesome ideas and picts!!))
These are usually made by mothers for their small children. There can be a high level of competitiveness in this arena, which I’ll talk about sometime.
One cool thing about Bento boxes was determined Japanese mothers who wanted to improve their childs nutritional intake- What an awesome and effective solution!
The other fact which is sad is they also started making them to stop bullying, increase popularity and social standing which is all important there if your not naturally born into a wealthy high family. Obviously the rich kids don't get fancy Bento lunches and the poor kids "WOW" them as they undo their lids at lunch time!!
That's no wonder if the boxes look anything like these below!
Good lucky Trinny and Linny you competitive for social standing nutritionalist mothers!!!! XXX
3 comments:
MMMMMMMM.... not that concerned about our socialstanding. But Kenzi would love it. Happy to say I have no time to do it and not sure how to mould tuna and crackers into a fairy princess!!!!!
Ha, it's funny cause I was reading a blog about bento boxes, but they were no way near as incredible, it was more cheese cut in the shapes of bears etc. Maybe more your style Trin!
I just came across your blog when I was searching for entertain-bento images. I love the photos your showing of the entertain-bentos. They're some of the best I've seen! Where did you find them? Oh, incidentally, I recognize part of your entry from one of my favorite blogs JustBento.com. Here it is in it's entirety straight from JustBento:
"The kind of bento that have garnered the most attention recently, especially outside of Japan are what are called ‘cute bento’ ‘art bento’ or ‘entertaining bento’ (entertain-bento), extremely elaborately decorated small works of art, as exemplified by the work presented on sites like e-obento (Japanese). These are usually made by mothers for their small children. There can be a high level of competitiveness in this arena, which I’ll talk about sometime."
I figured not giving credit was unintentional, but just wanted to give a heads up before someone else noticed it.
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