Before the lacquered boxes, before the neatly packed parcels ... a journey As Japan entered the Edo period (1603–1868), bento became an art form, with elaborate makunouchi bento — the ...

and wrapping gifts into exquisite art forms. While the history of the bento box predates the Edo Period (from 1603 to 1868) it became immensely popular during this richly aesthetic era.

Matsuura, 60, had one of her works, which are a cross between bento box lunches and art, featured in an ad for an art exhibition. She gives one-woman shows at a museum and elsewhere. The “Munch ...