Aimono

In Japan, it is very common for people to bring a lunch box to work or school, despite availability of vending machines and convenience stores that sell food.  While adults might simply bring onigiri (rice balls) or some rice with a piece of fish, the lunch boxes (bento) are more elaborate for kids.  Japanese mothers believe that when food looks more attractive, children are more likely to eat.  That has resulted in a whole genre of art called “cara-ben,” a word derived from character+bento.  It can be all the way from animals to anime character to Hello Kitty to whatever else the kid wants and her mother can make.  Obviously, now you can also buy caraben kits, books and DVD to make your kid’s lunch a work of art.

Tags:   art · caraben · hello kitty · Japan · japanese food1 Comment