Spring Break
The artwork that is Obento
ISOSU
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Forum
Nowadays, we do not need to get off the train because people working on the train come around to sell the obento on the train ride.
Obento that is eaten during intermission at Kabuki plays is called "Makunouchi Bento." "Makunouchi" means "between curtains," so basically it means they are sold during the intermission of a play.
The obento contains more formal meals with pretty boxes, so it is also served at restaurants and not only at Kabuki plays.
Obento eaten outside, like a picnic, is called "Kouraku Bento." This obento is bigger and contains more food than other obento because it is usually shared by a group of people.
Obento prepared by a wife is called "Aisai Bento." "Aisai" means "beloved wife."
Obento eaten with hopes to pass a test or win a competition is called "Gokaku Bento." "Gokaku" means "passing the test." For extra luck, Gokaku Bento includes fried pork placed on the rice, since fried pork is called "Katsu," which also means "win" - just an extra bounce for good luck.
I personally think obento is a form of non-verbal communication among Japanese people.
Sometimes it is hard for Japanese people to express their feelings - especially people my parents' age. I never heard my mother say to my father, "I love you," but instead of saying it, she always made pretty Aisai Bento.
When I took an entrance examination for a university in Japan, my mother did not give me many encouraging words, and instead gave me a hug or nice cards and made me a Gokaku Bento.
If some people do not know about the meaning of each obento, they might misunderstand what my mother was thinking during that silent moment. She pretended to be normal on that day, but then she gave me the great Gokaku Bento. When I thought about that time and how she woke up early to prepare for it for me, I was really happy and encouraged by it, and I did not need any other words from her. I could understand what she was trying to say.
I think many miscommunications or misunderstandings can happen if we are not familiar with other cultures.
This is why it is interesting to keep learning different cultures and meeting people from different countries so we can learn.
Naoko Kawamura is a graduate student in college student services and administration and a member of the Japanese Student Association and part of ISOSU. The opinions expressed in ISOSU's column, which appears every Tuesday, do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Kawamura can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Obento that is eaten during intermission at Kabuki plays is called "Makunouchi Bento." "Makunouchi" means "between curtains," so basically it means they are sold during the intermission of a play.
The obento contains more formal meals with pretty boxes, so it is also served at restaurants and not only at Kabuki plays.
Obento eaten outside, like a picnic, is called "Kouraku Bento." This obento is bigger and contains more food than other obento because it is usually shared by a group of people.
Obento prepared by a wife is called "Aisai Bento." "Aisai" means "beloved wife."
Obento eaten with hopes to pass a test or win a competition is called "Gokaku Bento." "Gokaku" means "passing the test." For extra luck, Gokaku Bento includes fried pork placed on the rice, since fried pork is called "Katsu," which also means "win" - just an extra bounce for good luck.
I personally think obento is a form of non-verbal communication among Japanese people.
Sometimes it is hard for Japanese people to express their feelings - especially people my parents' age. I never heard my mother say to my father, "I love you," but instead of saying it, she always made pretty Aisai Bento.
When I took an entrance examination for a university in Japan, my mother did not give me many encouraging words, and instead gave me a hug or nice cards and made me a Gokaku Bento.
If some people do not know about the meaning of each obento, they might misunderstand what my mother was thinking during that silent moment. She pretended to be normal on that day, but then she gave me the great Gokaku Bento. When I thought about that time and how she woke up early to prepare for it for me, I was really happy and encouraged by it, and I did not need any other words from her. I could understand what she was trying to say.
I think many miscommunications or misunderstandings can happen if we are not familiar with other cultures.
This is why it is interesting to keep learning different cultures and meeting people from different countries so we can learn.
Naoko Kawamura is a graduate student in college student services and administration and a member of the Japanese Student Association and part of ISOSU. The opinions expressed in ISOSU's column, which appears every Tuesday, do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Kawamura can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
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