So a huge part of yochien is Obento boxes. A few years ago on a mothering board that I am a member of, there was a huge surge of interest in Bento. I didn’t pay much attention, frankly I probably should have! the knowledge would have probably come in handy.
First off, I am amazed at the cost of a bento box. I have to purchase: the actual box, the silverware/cutlery, another small box for a bit more food, a cup, a handtowel for drying little hands after bathroom use (this often matches the Bento box) and the bag for which all of this to reside in. It doesn’t sound like it should be costly right? Wrong. All of these items total around $40US. Granted, I did buy “brand name” ones, I bought Sugarbunnies and Disney Princess ones, but the “mark up” on such items was maybe 10%, so it wasn’t a significant factor in cost.
If I was a typical Japanese mother, I would cluck over this food and make sure its presentation was beautiful the four times a week I needed to prepare it. Had I not gone to the international school last year as a teacher for a brief stint, I would have stayed in blessed ignorance of all things that is assumed by Japanese schools that your child is required to have. I knew about the cup, and about the towel, but the rest of it would have surprised me. the sheer quantity is overwhelming and I stood here literally doing circles while trying to discern what was a “need” versus a “want” in the world of Bento.
now since I am a western mom who has no clue in the art of lunch making, my kids obento looks like this: rice on the bottom, and then last nights dinner on the top. so usually chicken, with a veggie accompanying it. I am hopeless at artfully arranging anything. Kiera has often expressed her annoyance with my lack of ability to make things “pretty”, even though I do try! I have purchased a Mickey face, which I have pressed onto an apple and placed it in her dessert box. I have rolled rice. I have put rice into the shape of sugar bunny ears. What kills me is she comes home STARVING because these itty bitty boxes do not match a girl with a teenage boys appetite.
This is the Bento aisle at the big Seiyu down the train line. the first time I got there I called my friend Rebecca, literally dizzy at spinning around in the aisle from all the choice I had. Overwhelmed with how much was there and just what I was suppose to get. Its crazy. And my Bentos continue to be stuffed to the gills with food and not arranged in a very pretty manner. but at least its in the right box!
I am rolling with laughter at this wonderful entry. You have what looks like such a delicate daughter who, in reality, eats like an Olympic athelete in training, and THAT little bitty Bento is supposed to feed her at lunch time? My God, her yochien is soooo lucky she doesn’t turn cannibal and eat the other students. They have NO idea!
Also, the image of you beautifying the Bento presentation is priceless. Shaping the rice into bunny ears! Have you thought of learning how to make radish roses? Just as thought, just a thought.