we eat with our eyes,nose, then mouth

I think that by handling food and having its presence in front of me while learning is a very effective and fun way to learn. I have never heard of a bento box before, and by making it myself I understand why mothers put so much time and effort into them. Even though I was not making it for a child I tried to make it as crafty as possible because I wanted to have a challenge. It felt like a mini competition of who would have the most exciting box , like the competition amongst mothers in Japan. I felt like I was creating art rather than a meal because of the assortment of colors, shapes, and tiny spacing. In the U.S., we are used to bigger portions, not so many color contrasts and a centered set up rather than smaller individual spaces. I actually like Japanese set up better because it allows the consumer to appreciate each part separate from the others. The colors make the meal more of an experience rather than a necessity because they make the meal not only tasty but aesthetically pleasing. I heard someone once say that we eat with our eyes, our nose, and then with our mouth. Making these bento boxes is a perfect example of this quote because it is the first time that I have realized the truth in it.


I did not have a plan before making my bento box. I’m not an artist nor am I very creative. However, I think my bento box turned out alright because even though I’m not an artist, I was able to use the tools I had in front of me, along with my knowledge of color contrasting to create something simple, yet pretty. I wanted to create different dimensions with many different colors so that my bento box would be pleasing to the eye. I have a greater respect for the mothers now because even if they aren’t professionals they take so much time, and effort to lovingly create a piece of art for there child, even though they know it is going to be eaten. After creating my bento, I did not want to eat it because I had worked hard on it. This made me realize the purpose of the bento boxes. They express the love and support that the mothers have for their children because they are willing to give up their time and effort to create something tasty, and creative because they want their children to know that they love , support, and are there for them. This is another example of the reoccurring theme of food bringing loved ones together and being used as an expression of love.