Shokado Bento
The item most strongly associated with Shokado Shojo in modern Japan is “Shokado Bento,” a square meal box divided into four equal sections. Shojo was in the habit of converting wooden boxes that farmers used to carry seeds into containers for his paints and tools. To make the boxes more attractive, he added a light coat of lacquer and ink paintings with nature themes.
The idea of using this type of box to serve food was born in 1933, when the founder of the famous Japanese cuisine restaurant Kitcho attended a tea function in Yawata. He was inspired by a lacquered box in the style favored by Shojo and decided to adapt it for his restaurant, giving it the name “Shokado Bento.” The Yawata branch of the restaurant, Kyoto Kitcho Shokado, is located next to the Shokado Art Museum and serves fine Japanese cuisine in this distinctive style of bento box.