An Inconvenient Reality in the wooden bento box world.
Wide open shop-front where artisans worked facing the main street.
The current shop front no longer resembles the original state, after few renovations over the years.
Owner Shibata, Artisan Morita, and Staff Tanaka, small team of 3 now runs the production.
Wide open shop-front where artisans worked facing the main street.
Shibata-Toku (established 1850) is the only remaining magemono shops in the old district of Maidashi. Few centuries ago, the bustling main street of Maidashi was lined with magemono bent-wood shops ran by 20 some families.
Currently, Shibata-Toku is run by 6th generation Yoshiko Shibata at its original location. As they no longer can use a big storefront, they split the facade into half and rented out one side to a small restaurant. The days where you can see and hear artisans working at the shop-front is long gone. Shibata's craft work is being done at the wood-shop behind the house.
Shibata used to have many artisans making magemono, One after another, artisans retired and left. Ms. Shibata has to asked retired artisan Mr. Taizo Morita to return so she can keep the production going. Young generation has little interest in this craft, and there is no apprentice nor next succession at ShibataToku at the moment.
Utilitarian ware From Edo to Reiwa period (from 15th to modern day 21st century)
Apart from being used in Shrines, Magemono wooden bento box was at its peak in late Edo period where people on long journeys would use them to carry food. During the same time, audience attending Kabuki shows (the main entertainment of Edo period) would also bring packed food in bento boxes for consumption during intermission. For those who experienced Kabuki shows in Tokyo or Kyoto, you may remember during intermission, people still whip out bento boxes and the whole theatre would smell of food! The tradition carries on.
The annual cherry blossom viewing in Spring, the Firework shows by the beach in Summer, and Fall Foliage picnic are all occasions where people would use these magemono wooden bento boxes for their outings.
Japanese confectioners uses them for their Japanese sweets, sushi chefs uses the big shallow tubs to cool and season the rice. The natural cedar wood helps maintain the right temperature and moisture for dedicate rice and hand-made sweets.
READ MORE about Hakozaki Shrine and the origin of bent-wood objects.
Material 1
Cedar
Kyushu island is one of the biggest producer of quality cedar timber in Japan.
High quality cedar is needed to make magemono. One of the most important skill as magemono artisan is to have the trained eye to procure best quality logs. Knots and grains affect not only the aesthetics, but also the properties of product.
Bento Culture
Wooden bento boxes may have existed for 300-400 years, yet it is still very common for both children and grownups to bring packed lunch boxes to school and to work.
During lunch breaks, everyone sits down in the lunchroom and unwrap their boxes. It is the ritualistic moment when you unveil what your loved ones have prepared for you. Japanese also use the bento box as "sticky notes" to pass messages to family members through presentation of food: "I love you", "Thank you for your hard work today", "Good Luck with today's exam", "Keep it up", or any word of encouragements. There is even a movie made about bento messaging called "Bento Harassment". Look it up on Netflix.
As colorful plastic bento boxes took over the market, fewer people use traditional mage-mono wood boxes. However, the properties and tactility of wood bento box can never be replaced by plastic products. Wood naturally maintains the right moisture level for rice, which is essential in making rice delicious.
Wood bento boxes recently is making a come back, high-end restaurants also use them for playful plating. They have come a long way since few centuries ago, from being picnic boxes for outdoor cherry blossom viewing, to Ekiben (Train station lunch boxes), to daily use for children and office workers.
SHOP: The sustainable Bent-wood Bento Boxes
Revisit the Forgotten Normal
There was a time when we do not have to think if material used in microwave or dishwasher will release toxic matters. It was also a time when we were not worrying pollution and micro plastics in our food.
"Discontinued" means the last one has been sold and will not be made anymore.
Our Special Tribute
ShibataToku Gallery
Ms. Yoshiko Shibata realized the support of bentwood craft from overseas audience and
desired to showcase bentwood capability BEYOND BENTO BOXES.
Typically available only as made-to-order or custom-order items, ranging from
functional objects, traditional tea-ceremony ware and shrine rituals wares, are now available here.
Enjoy the last works made by Mr. Morita.
Thank you for supporting ShibataToku though they are still seeking ways to keep producing boxes.
We will continue to update unique items in the gallery. Do check back!
Don't Forget to get Bento Box Accessories!!
"I naturally succeeded the family business when the predecessor has to retire. It is livelihood and fulfillment. When customers enjoy using my product, I am happy. Next successor? That is one big question..."
- Yoshiko Shibata 6th Generation
『先代の定年退職を機に自然と家業を継いだ。それが生計であり、充実している。お客様が自分の商品を使って喜んでくれれば、それが私の幸せです。後継者は？それは大きな問題だ...』
- 柴田淑子 6代目
With Mr. Morita's retirement, we are sad to see the century-old ShibataToku bentwood shop may no longer continue making these beautiful boxes for long. We will continue to support Ms. Shibata as she now manages the shop alone and producing very limited items.
If you own one of ShibataToku's bento box, please take good care of it! And do send ShibataToku a note or words of encouragement. We will be glad to pass the message. Please read full details from our blog.
