Making Bento Into Art

Making Bento Into Art

Author: Sesho November 2, 2009 Duration: 0:00

A couple of years ago, Japanese mother Makiko Ogawa's son found kindergarten a traumatic experience. He hated school and every time she took him there he would cry himself silly. In order to comfort him, Makiko started making special "charaben" lunches for him.

"Bento" is a Japanese term for a boxed lunch, which can be homemade or bought in a store. "Charaben" means character bento. In other words, Ogawa shapes and decorates the food to look like anime characters or cute little animals, etc.

Ogawa is so good at making charaben that she has fans all over the world. She has even been approached by corporations that want to commission her work. While she is flattered by the attention she still sees her charaben primarily as a show of love for her children. She has a blog in Japanese:

http://cuteobento.blog43.fc2.com/

If you just want to see pictures of her bento she also has a Flickr site that has English captions:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuteobento/

I will be adding her Flickr page to my website under "Japanese Sights & Sounds". She says she updates it about every two weeks. She encourages you to leave comments in English.

 


For over a decade, Sesho's Anime and Manga Reviews has been a consistent voice in the fandom, offering deep dives into the stories that captivate us. Host Sesho approaches each title with the dual perspective of a dedicated fan and a thoughtful critic, creating conversations that are as insightful as they are enthusiastic. This isn't just about what's new and trending; you'll find classic series discussed with the same reverence as the latest seasonal hit, exploring how they hold up and why they mattered. Each episode of the podcast feels like a detailed, personal analysis, breaking down narrative themes, artistic choices, and character development without relying on simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down verdicts. Whether it's a sprawling shonen epic, a poignant slice-of-life manga, or an avant-garde anime film, Sesho examines the work on its own terms. Listeners get a blend of informed critique and genuine passion, making it a perfect companion for anyone who wants to move beyond surface-level reactions. The show covers the vast spectrum of Japanese storytelling, from mainstream pillars to obscure gems, all through a critical and passionate eye. Tune in for a podcast that treats anime and manga with the serious discussion they deserve, while never losing sight of the fun and wonder that draw us to them in the first place.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 530

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