【Reading】おりづめ

【English Name】Orizume (Wooden Box Sushi Pack)

Oridzume refers to food packed into a simple box made of thin wood or thick paper, and it is a container form long used for sushi takeout and gifts.

A representative example of oridzume in sushi is "Sukeroku sushi," which refers to a box arrangement combining inari sushi and rolled sushi. The name is said to derive from the kabuki play "Sukeroku Yukari no Edozakura" of the Kabuki Juhachiban repertoire.

In the classical rakugo piece "Katabo," there is a scene in which a son insists that for the meal at a funeral one should prepare a luxurious tiered box (jubako) rather than oridzume bento. This suggests that whereas the jubako is suited to formal occasions, oridzume has been familiar as a plebeian and practical container.

Traditional oridzume use thin boards called kyogi, which absorb moisture moderately and are therefore considered to go well with vinegared rice. Even today they are widely used for sushi restaurant takeout, gift offerings, and bento for flower-viewing and outings.