On the subject of Japanese food books this was a birthday present from my daughter.
Face Food: the Visual creativity of Japanese Bento Boxes by Christopher D Salyers
This little hard cover book is absolutely loaded with ways to spend more time in the kitchen. It is made up of pictures and descriptions of an amazing array of creative and absurdly complex obento designs. Most of them are strictly for kids, some look edible and some even look delicious. The book tends towards the art of gimmicky presentation rather than actually preparing the food. But for people like me with very little control over how my cooking ends up looking it is a little daunting. I think my daughter was giving me a big hint about my current level of care with her obento when I make it. I understood loud and clear the message “Dad your obento’s are ugly and I want pretty”.
Steer clear of this book if you don’t want to feel inadequate. If you after a challenge then maybe it is worth a look.