The centuries of bento history
The rules of packing and balance
Kyaraben and edible pop culture
Regional styles and global journeys
YOUR GOAL
Master of The art of the bento
yuki The History of Bento
Between the acts, between the acts / A perfect bento between the acts!
yuki The popular makunouchi bento emerged during the Edo period as a quick theater intermission meal.
yuki Lacquered wooden boxes transformed simple travel food into elegant outdoor feast containers.
yuki Arrange each colorful ingredient to master the Japanese art of balanced bento presentation.
Bento etymology: The word 'bento' originates from a Southern Song dynasty slang term meaning 'convenient,' which was later imported to Japan.
A Japanese-style packed meal traditionally served in a box with partitioned compartments. Its origins date back to the Kamakura period when travelers carried dry, reconstituted rice in simple bags.
Why did many Japanese schools ban bento boxes after World War I during the Taisho period?
What does the term 'makunouchi,' a popular type of Edo period bento, translate to in English?
What material became highly popular for making lightweight Japanese bento boxes during the early 20th-century Taisho period?
What does the term 'hoshi-ii' literally mean in the context of early Japanese bento history?
In the late 16th century, which Japanese historical period popularized multi-tiered lacquered wooden bento boxes for outdoor excursions?
Which decade in the 20th century saw the boom of pre-packaged plastic bentos in Japanese convenience stores?