Lunch time

I know for my parents, as well as many other parents across the country, making school lunches is a mundane, everyday chore that is simply a hassle in the early mornings as they are trying to hurry themselves along to get to work. However, for the elite women of the Japanese culture, it is a form of art that reflects strongly upon them and the future of their child.



An obento box is an elaborate tradition of Japanese culture. They are boxed lunches mothers make for their preschool aged children. The mother creates a meal for their child that is much more than just nutritious, it is a work of art that requires thought and creativity.

There are many rules that go into making obentos. Everything must be made into bite-sized pieces, all the food needs to be neatly organized in the box, and the colors are supposed to contrast against each other and pop. Most importantly, the little preschooler has to finish his whole obento box because it reflects upon both the child and his mother who prepared it.

This tradition is much different than the standard paper bag lunch I was used to growing up. Everyday I would receive the all-American PB and J sandwich along side my apple slices, crackers, and little bag of cookies accompanied with either a water, Gatorade, or Capri-Sun beverage. Although mine was nutritious and tasty, it does not quite measure up to the beauty and art of the obento.