*Kashiwa mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake wrapped in an oak leaf and typically eaten on Children’s Day. Ahead of Children’s Day, nestled inside the bento box was what looked like kashiwa mochi… but it was actually rice balls shaped like Shirotan, a character modeled after a baby seal. What Shirotan is holding is a real oak leaf. Its fragrance must have gently filled the air. This bento reflects Mami-okusama’s loving wish: “I hope it brings a sense of comfort the moment the lid is opened.” We’re told that the children were absolutely delighted. Mami-okusama continues to bring to life the philosophy of Christian Veganism shown to us by Masaaki-sama through her vegan deco ben, made without any animal-based ingredients or any type of sugar. Her bentos bring radiant smiles to the children’s faces. Let us also take inspiration from Mami-okusama’s bento contents and together embrace the Christian Vegan Diet that leads to true healing. 【Bento contents received from Mami-okusama】＊ 30 percent polished rice cooked in a clay pot (250g) 🍚• Shirotan kashiwa mochi–style rice ballsMade with a real oak leaf, allowing you to enjoy its fragrance as well.The facial features are made with nori, the eyebrows with black sesame seeds, and the cheeks with homemade pickled red ginger. • Sesame wakame riceA favorite with the children.Generously layered at the bottom of the bento. ＊Miso soupIn addition to seasonal vegetables and wild greens, I always include seaweed as well. ＊ Fresh hijiki yakisoba-style (Japanese stir-fried noodles)I used precious, natural fresh hijiki given to us as an offering by a member. Thank you very much.After being parboiled for a long time in an iron pot, the thick, long strands were transformed into a yakisoba-style dish!Made with onion, bamboo shoots, carrots, cabbage, garlic chives, and wood ear mushrooms.Packed with the blessings of spring.Its delightfully crunchy texture is irresistible.Finished with a sprinkle of freshly toasted white sesame seeds. ＊ Simmered fuki (butterbur)A spring delicacy, gently simmered in a clay pot.A gentle sweetness emerges amid its subtle bitterness.Finished with a sprinkle of freshly toasted black sesame seeds.*Fuki must be prepared to remove its bitterness before cooking. Thoroughly rub it with salt, then boil it in salted water and soak it in cold water to complete the process. ＊ Other detailsA small flower made from pickled red ginger adds a finishing touch. Soothing cuteness and fragrance! Mami-okusama’s super cute vegan bento, no. 49Likes, saves, and shares are most welcome ✨ ***About Mami-okusama (Mami Okada)Mami-okusama was born in Aichi Prefecture and was raised in a farming household. Also known as Japan’s Vegan Beauty, she is the wife of and Aide to Masaaki-sama (Masaaki Okada), World Church of Messiah’s Representative of Kyoshu. She is a vegan recipe developer focusing on the Japanese vegan diet. She is the first to establish the “vegan deco ben” (vegan decorative bento) and “vegan kyara ben” (vegan character bento) genres. Not only are they beautiful to the eye, these bento are created entirely from plant-based ingredients, in line with what Masaaki-sama teaches on the truth of food, that seasonal and local eating rooted in the climate and terrain of Japan is the most beneficial for health and well-being, that is, to eat what grows in one’s local region. Through these and also through the creation of her many original recipes, she seeks to spread the Christian vegan diet—the true healthy diet. She graduated from University of Tsukuba. During her studies there, she became actively involved in volunteer activities such as refugee support. She was also repeatedly asked to participate in the Miss Tsukuba Contest and was approached by many modeling agencies, but she declined all of these offers as she wanted to focus on refugee support activities. In recognition of her efforts in refugee support, she received the University of Tsukuba President’s Award in 2012. She holds a license to teach English to intermediate and high school students. After graduating from university, she began working for World Church of Messiah in 2013. In 2014, she married Masaaki-sama, the great-grandson of the founder of World Church of Messiah, Meishu-sama (Mokichi Okada 1882–1955), and the representative and successor of Kyoshu-sama. On May 24, 2026, on the day of Pentecost, she assumed the position of Aide to the Representative of Kyoshu. Currently, while raising three children, she is working tirelessly unlike anyone else in the practice and spread of the Christian vegan diet as taught in Masaaki-sama’s revolutionary message: “Jesus Christ was the last and ultimate sacrifice—so it is no longer necessary to eat a diet that comes with the suffering of animals.”