From a Daily Routine to Something to Look Forward To
Standing in the kitchen with sleepy eyes, preparing a tamagoyaki omelet.Packing a few leftovers from last night’s dinner and scooping freshly cooked rice.
For me, making a bento every morning used to be just another routine task, carried out quietly day after day.
However, this past week has felt a little different.
The reason is a Magewappa bento box that I recently welcomed into my kitchen.
It is a piece of kitchenware I had admired for a long time, hoping to try using it someday.
Even ordinary, familiar side dishes suddenly take on a refined, special appearance when arranged inside the natural cedar wood. As I pack each item and watch the bento box blossom into a vibrant arrangement, the joy of the process quietly washes away my morning drowsiness.
Whenever I saw these bento boxes on social media or in magazines, I used to wonder why they always looked so utterly delicious—and it seems the secret lies right here in this vessel.
Looking forward to lifting this lid during my lunch break, even my steps on the way to work feel a little lighter.
At First, I Had Intended on “Uncoated”
I have always been fond of wooden items, naturally drawn to those that let you feel the raw texture of the grain.
They deepen in luster with every use, where even minor scratches become a cherished patina unique to one's home. Drawn to this graceful aging, I initially intended to choose an uncoated Magewappa without a second thought.
For this bento box, I turned to Ryobian, an artisan workshop in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, that has long crafted traditional Magewappa.
While honoring time-tested techniques passed down through generations, they create pieces that seamlessly fit into modern lives—a philosophy I felt deeply drawn to.
Precisely because it is an item used daily, they prioritize not only aesthetic elegance but also genuine ease of use. Resonating with this thoughtful approach, I knew I wanted to use a Magewappa made by their hands.
With these thoughts in mind, I reached out to Mr. Ishikura at Ryobian, expressing my wish for an uncoated bento box. His response, however, was somewhat surprising.
“For a daily bento box, I actually recommend a coated finish.”
I had assumed that an artisan crafting woodenware would value the raw, natural texture of the wood above all else. Wondering about his perspective, I asked for the reason, and before I knew it, I was captivated by a thirty-minute conversation about bento boxes.
Mr. Ishikura explained that while uncoated Magewappa allows one to enjoy the wood's natural patina, it is prone to staining, darkening, and absorbing food odors. As a result, quite a few people find it challenging to maintain and eventually stop using it altogether.
“It breaks my heart to think that a bento box someone carefully chose might end up tucked away unused.”
Those words left a deep, lasting impression on me.
Of course, he was not dismissing uncoated wood—he understood its unique appeal intimately. Yet, precisely because a bento box is a daily companion, he wanted it to be something you can wash effortlessly and reach for naturally again the next morning.
That, he explained, was why he recommended a coated finish.
As I listened to him, the persistent notion that “uncoated must be superior” began to gently unravel within me.
Savoring the raw material itself is wonderful, but craft rooted in ensuring a piece stays in your life for years to come is an equally profound form of sincerity.
A Week of Bento Meals
Reflecting on Mr. Ishikura’s words, I welcomed my new Magewappa bento box into my daily routine.
I decided to pack my lunch in it every single day for a full week.
Monday: Assembling Colors Like a Puzzle
Starting the week with pork-wrapped green beans as the main dish.
The vibrant green of tightly packed green beans, the warm yellow of boiled eggs and corn, and the bright red of cherry tomatoes.
The soft, natural grain of the cedar gracefully enhances each color, making even ordinary side dishes look noticeably more appetizing.
What astonished me most at lunchtime, however, was the taste of the plain white rice.
While rice in plastic containers often becomes sticky from trapped moisture, the rice packed in the Magewappa retained a tender, plump texture even after cooling. The moment I took a bite, I realized how the wood subtly absorbs and balances excess moisture.
When simple white rice tastes this wonderful, lunch break instantly feels like a small occasion.
Tuesday: Sauce-Rich Dishes Without Hesitation
Dishes rich in savory sauces like teriyaki or ginger pork—which used to make me hesitate over potential soy sauce or oil stains on the wood—can be packed with complete peace of mind thanks to the protective finish.
After lunch, a quick, gentle wash restores it completely. For an object used every single day, this effortless ease has proven far more comforting than I had imagined.
Wednesday: A Generous Piece of Grilled Salmon as the Hero
Midweek, on days when I need a little boost of energy, I place a generous piece of grilled salmon right on top of the rice.
It is precisely this kind of simple, honest bento that looks so fitting in a Magewappa.
The straight, clean grain of the cedar elevates a simple "rice bowl bento" into a feast for the eyes.
Thursday: Shaping Rice Balls on an Unhurried Morning
On Thursday morning, feeling a rare sense of quiet ease,
I finely chopped my favorite shibazuke pickles, mixed them into warm rice, and gently shaped round rice balls. In the remaining spaces, I tucked leftover Chikuzenni from last night, blanched greens, chikuwa, and a few slices of okra.
Friday: Cherishing Simple Leftovers
At the end of the workweek, I use the opportunity to tidy up the refrigerator.
Simmered eggplant, hijiki seaweed, and kinpira burdock. Even on days when the colors lean toward quiet browns, arranging them inside a Magewappa gives them the charming ambiance of a traditional Kyoto obanzai platter.
Even without elaborate dishes, it effortlessly looks like a thoughtfully crafted meal.
In the quiet rhythm of daily lunch prep, having a piece of kitchenware so reliable feels like the greatest comfort of all.
Because It Is a Tool for Everyday Life
After using it for a week, Mr. Ishikura’s words resonated with me completely.
A bento box’s journey does not end when you pack it in the morning.
You enjoy it at noon, bring it home, wash it, and prepare it for the next day.
Because this daily cycle continues continuously, returning home tired and wiping away oil stains with a light swipe of a sponge makes all the difference. This sense of "unburdened ease" turned out to be far more essential than I had realized.
While uncoated wood offers the tactile pleasure of raw material, a coated finish designed with the user's long-term companionship in mind carries its own deep thoughtfulness.
Using this Magewappa with an understanding of Ryobian's sincere philosophy, it no longer feels merely beautiful—it has transformed into a reliable companion quietly supporting my everyday rhythm.
Making a daily bento has become a modest moment of anticipation.
Now, I wonder what I should pack tomorrow.
Peering into the refrigerator tonight, that quiet thought brings a smile.
