Bento Boxes
A bento box is a compact container designed to hold a single serving of rice and several side dishes. In ancient times, lunches were wrapped using such materials as oak leaf, magnolia leaf, bamboo leaf, and bamboo sheath. Later, wooden boxes came into use. In some regions, fancy bento boxes with lids were made by interweaving thin strips of bamboo or willow, or by bending strips of wood into shape. These bento boxes are still produced and sold today as traditional handicrafts.
During the Edo period, prosperous merchants packed lavish assortments of their favorite foods into fancy tiered boxes to enhance the pleasure of flower viewing or theater going. From this time forth, bento served on special occasions - such as during celebrations in the home, at Buddhist memorial services, and for entertaining guests - evolved into a unique, sophisticated art form. They were used particularly often in the tea ceremony. (149 words)
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