Let’s make Bento Containers!


Lately, I hear Japanese style lunch box, bento is popular in overseas.

But I think you hardly hear someone who made his own bento container.

Today, I’d like to share the report of this person who made his first bento container.

The reporter Mr. A is an expert on making bento; he has been making bento for over 10 years.

 

He makes his and his wife’s bento everyday (awesome!)

 

To learn to make bento box, Mr. A visited a craftsman in [W:Saga Prefecture].

 

What he was going to make was this.

 

bento box

 

This is the craftsman Mr. Yamashita.

 

bento box

Work space in the studio.

 

bento box

The display space on a corner.
You can almost feel the warmth of wood even from the picture.

 

bento box
This is the stove that he made by himself. Cool!

 

bento box
Place for materials.

 

Now, Mr. A is ready to make a bento box.

First, cut out a piece of wood to make a prototype.

 

bento box
It’s dangerous, so he left it to the professional.

 

bento box
Cut out prototype.

 

bento box
The craftsman is teaching Mr. A how to use the tool.

 

bento box
Shaving the wood with a bent tipped chisel.

 

 

He fixes the wood piece to the machine, which spins fast, so he can shave the wood with the chisel.

 

bento box
Before he shaves the actual wood piece, he practiced with another piece.

 

bento box
Shaving and shaving…

 

bento box
That’s the pro’s technique!

 

bento box

Finishing the practice, finally he shaves his wood!
But the fixed wood flew into air a couple of times while he was shaving
because he didn’t give proper pressure while he was shaving.

 

bento box
Every time it came off, Mr. Yamashita fixed it again.

 

bento box
Mr. Yamashita checked the details.
A professional can finishes all the work he did in only 10 minutes.

 

bento box
Somehow, it is in a right shape.

 

bento box
Roughly shaved box. He still has to finish it up though.

 

bento box
These are the ones made by the skillful craftsman.
They’re very thin!!

 

At that point, Mr. A could finish the lesson but because it’s a rare opportunity, he decided to make chopsticks and a spatula.

 

bento box
What!? What’s this weird machine?

 

This is a man-powered grinder machine made of remodeled bicycle and sawing machine.

By pedaling the bicycle, the cylinder on the sawing machine spins and sands wood.

bento box
It’s a group work.
Mr. Yamashita said that when he took it a school, students got really excited to see it.

 

bento box
Sand like this.

 

bento box
Finished! Mr. A look so satisfied (^_^)

 

bento box
These are well done.

 

Now he has to dry the bento box for 3 months but he couldn’t wait; suddenly, he started cooking!

 

bento box
He shouldn’t wet the box before he dries it, so he used plastic wrap to guard the wood.

 

bento box
Putting side dishes.

 

bento box
He made bento!  Looks very very good!

 

Besides drying the box, he has to finish the lid too.

bento box

Drying…

*****

 

That’s all for now but Mr. A will update his report in 3 months, so japanstyle will continue the report!

 

Lastly, “Good job! Mr. A!”

 

Reference: Daily Portal Z

 

This is JAPAN Style!

 

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