Furoshiki-Wrapped Bento Box Tablescape

My first experience with a bento box was at a pool-side lunch at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla.  I fell in love with the idea, so after we returned from our trip I got on-line to find out more about these Japanese lunch boxes.  I found a listing on E-bay for some lidded boxes that are black on the outside with a red-lacquer, removable, divided tray on the inside and bought eight boxes to have at home to use for dinner parties.

During my research I discovered that the Japanese would use the bento box as a lunch box and would carry it to work wrapped in a furoshiki.  A furoshiki is typically a square piece of cloth that is wrapped around the bento box with a knot tied on the top to use as a handle. 

I used four of my bento boxes and wrapped them in a square piece of black sheer fabric.  I pushed chopsticks into the knot on the top, and added accessories to create a “Furoshiki-Wrapped Bento Box Tablescape” for a Japanese-style dinner on our sunporch.