Editing Bento (section)

==History==
The increased popularity of bento can be traced back to the 12th century during the [[Kamakura period]], when meals of cooked and dried rice called ''hoshi-ii'' ({{lang|ja|糒}} or {{lang|ja|干し飯}}, literally "dried meal") were developed to be carried to work.<ref name=Chop/> A ''hoshi-ii'' can be eaten as-is or boiled with water to make cooked rice, and is stored in a small bag. By the 16th century, wooden lacquered boxes were produced, and bento would be eaten during ''[[hanami]]'' or a tea party.

[[File:Gotenyama hiroshige.jpg|thumb|''[[Hanami]]'' ''bento'' in the [[Edo period]]]]
In the [[Edo period]] (1603–1867), ''bento'' culture spread and became more refined. Travelers and sightseers would carry a simple ''koshibentō'' ({{lang|ja|腰弁当}}, "waist ''bento''"), consisting of several ''[[onigiri]]'' wrapped with bamboo leaves or in a woven bamboo box. One of the most popular styles of ''bento'', called ''[[makunouchi]] bentō'' ("between-act ''bento''"), was first made during this period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japanese Lunch Boxes - History|url=http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/bento/bento02.html|work=web-japan.org|publisher=Kids Web Japan|access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref> Viewers of ''[[Noh]]'' and ''[[kabuki]]'' performances ate specially prepared bento between ''maku'' ([[Act (drama)|acts]]). Numerous cookbooks were published detailing how to cook, how to pack, and what to prepare for occasions like ''[[hanami]]'' and ''[[Hinamatsuri]]''.

In the [[Meiji era]] (1868–1912), the first ''ekibentō'' or ''[[ekiben]]'' ({{lang|ja|駅弁当}} or {{lang|ja|駅弁}}, "[train] station bento") was sold. There are several records that claim where ekiben was first sold, but it is believed that it was sold on 16 July 1885 at [[Utsunomiya Station]] in the northern [[Kantō region]] of Japan, and contained two onigiri and a serving of ''[[takuan]]'' (pickled [[radish]]) wrapped in bamboo leaves. As early schools did not provide lunch, students and teachers carried bento, as did many employees.

In the [[Taishō era]] (1912–1926), the [[aluminium]] bento box became a luxury item because of its ease of cleaning and its silver-like appearance. Also, a move to abolish the practice of bento in school became a social issue. Disparities in wealth spread during this period after an export boom during [[World War I]] and subsequent crop failures in the [[Tōhoku region]]. A student's bento too often reflected their wealth, and many wondered if this had an unfavorable influence on children both physically, from lack of adequate diet, and psychologically, from a clumsily made bento or the richness of food. After [[World War II]], the practice of bringing bento to school gradually declined and was replaced by uniform meals provided for all students and teachers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timeline.com/bento-box-history-27b04153c6f6|title=The controversial history of the bento box|last=Buck|first=Stephanie|date=2016-09-09|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=2019-10-01|archive-date=2022-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522021334/https://timeline.com/bento-box-history-27b04153c6f6|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Bento box.png|thumb|Aluminum bento box, 1961. Lid fits closely. Small compartment for condiments.]]
Bento regained popularity in the 1980s with the help of the [[microwave oven]] and the proliferation of [[convenience store]]s. In addition, the expensive wood and metal boxes have been replaced at most bento shops with inexpensive, disposable [[polystyrene]] boxes. However, even handmade bento has made a comeback, and they are once again a common, although not universal, sight at Japanese schools. Bento are still used by workers as a packed lunch, and by families on day trips, school picnics, and sports days. Homemade bento are wrapped in a [[furoshiki]] cloth, which acts as both a carrying bag and a table mat.