Obento
One day a month, the school’s cook (or cook teacher, as she is called, as opposed to lunch lady) takes a day off, and all the children bring an obento to school. It would be unfair to simply translate obento as a lunch box, as there is a lot more care in presentation and health that goes into these meals. The containers are small but are meant to contain several different foods. Children also bring small plastic mats to sit on, and we eat outside.
The NY Times recently had a nice article on them, for more info, but take a look for yourself:
and mine, lacking in cartoon faces.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
WOW, these are so artistic! Sure beats the PB&J’s I used to put in your lunchbox, but the love was there! Thanks for sharing these pictures, I am truly inspired.
Mom
January 18th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Daniel,
I so enjoyed your pictures of the classroom. With the multicultural experiences you are enjoying, you will not want to come back. I have three places I want to visit (Ireland, China and Japan), but the thought of the long air flight sort of turns me off. What amazes me is both you and your sister chose the teaching field. Our educations system needs good teachers. Good for you. Enjoy the rest of your time in Japan and soak up more of the culture. Life is a learning experience every day.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Not sure how the blog thing works… but you continue to AMAZE me — even after 20 years. Those kids are insanely blessed (and, incidentally, so are you). Bonnie
March 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
Daniel, I just got wind of your blog from Dr. Seay, Brandi and Brandon Smith. This is the cutest thing that I have ever seen. I want an obento
It looks like you are having an amazing experience and I can’t wait to hear about it firsthand.
I will be checking the blog regularly now that I know about this.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Those are amazing lunches! I’d eat those any day! (The ones you get at school look wonderfully delicious, too.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Wow, I was amazed by the lunches the kids bring. It’s too bad our parents in America would never put that much work into a lunch. I think it’s a wonderful message to the kids and a fun way to bring a lunch. Your stories are amazing. I found your blog through Mrs. Q’s. I look forward to following your amazing stories.
Thank you for sharing.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
those look really good
March 17th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
We have lived in Japan for more then 4 years and it took me a year to learn Obento. Isn’t it amazing how much love and care the mothers take when making their children’s lunch.
Before we move back to the states I plan to stock up on the packages from the 100 yen shops..
March 17th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Imagine all the time parents take to make the lunches. Well worth it though! I remember watching on the news a father wakes up before the sun and spends 2-3 hours preparing his son’s lunch, which included superhero sandwhiches and such. Thanks for sharing.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I just discovered your blog and am IN LOVE with Japanese food. Thank you for sharing! This is fascinating and delicious!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Your blog makes me wish I could send my son to this school. Maybe if my husband gets stationed in south korea he might get a school like this… doubt it but I can dream right? I know for a fact Alaska’s school system isn’t that great happy he might only have to go through pre-school up here. Anyways I saw the head, shoulders, knees and toes… how young was your youngest student? Do you think you can please get some of these recipes from the cook teacher or parents and share them on this blog or even e-mail me or something? I’m a cook im really interested in doing this for my son when he goes to school which since he is 18 months won’t be for a while but atleast I have time to practice and my hubby also loves Japanese food and I think it would be neat to try to make some for him also. Ok well I think I’m done rambling on here… can’t wait until your next post.