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.

 

 

This is the craftsman Mr. Yamashita.

 

Work space in the studio.

 

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

 

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

 

Place for materials.

 

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

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

 

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

 

Cut out prototype.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Shaving and shaving…

 

That’s the pro’s technique!

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

Somehow, it is in a right shape.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

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

 

Sand like this.

 

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

 

These are well done.

 

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

 

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

 

Putting side dishes.

 

He made bento!  Looks very very good!

 

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

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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