Old-Fashioned Bento Box and Furoshiki

It seems that a lot of people are enamored with bento these days, and for good reason. It's practical, convenient, aesthetic, and it sure is a big help with portion control! However, we've been kicking it old school recently with our old-fashioned wooden bento box.

Before plastic bento were the rage, bento boxes were made of wood, often lacquered wood. The boxes often had only four sections, and a lid. Sometimes they were only one level, but they could be several levels for special occasions, such as a family picnic.

Traditionally, bento boxes were wrapped with a square piece of fabric called furoshiki that was knotted and used as a carrying bag; it also doubles as a placemat. Furoshiki are also used in Japan for rapping gifts and carrying groceries. Furoshiki are not only functional, but also sustainable; it can be reused many times, thus cutting down the need for paper or plastic bags.

Bento Box purchased from eBay seller Japan-Bargain
Furoshiki How-To

(Images: Kathryn Hill)

Comments (3)

What is in your bento? Looks yummy!

posted by roseslaw on July 29th 2008 at 12:17pm
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The choice of a wooden bento box at this point in history would only be made by Western folks who tend to travel in cars (or restaurants). The plastic ones are used because they're lighter and easier to clean by hand (few Japanese have dishwashers).

I know there is a bento craze on, but really, they're just a different version of a lunch pail that has food packed with reusable plastic containers. What is really coming back is people being aware of waste and using reusable containers and packing their own lunch.

My main problem with bentos is that people get over the top with them and end up creating far more waste to dress them up - little foil and plastic cups, fake plastic grass, decorative toothpicks, etc. They're only environmentally friendly if you avoid all the pretty but useless stuff.

posted by Orchid64 on July 29th 2008 at 6:50pm
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Furoshiki are fun to use even if you don't have a traditional bento box. They make even plain Tupperware-style containers easier to carry and the placemat function is always useful.

Orchid64, when I lived in Japan I observed quite a few people in my workplace still using the wooden bento boxes. I think there's still an appreciation for the beauty of old-style wood!

posted by Anjali on July 30th 2008 at 2:32pm
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