How elegant and adorable! At Kyoshu-sama’s official residence, red plum blossoms are already in full bloom, and white plum blossoms have begun to flower. The plum blossom season has indeed arrived. This time, Mami-okusama sent us a bento box filled with the joys of this season—the signs-of-spring bento box. On the left is a red plum blossom, and on the right a white plum blossom. When you look closely, each petal is made with a nori roll! What I especially want you to take a look at are the (pink) petals of the red plum blossom. According to Mami-okusama, this gentle, refined color was made by using her homemade pickled plum matured for three years, which she previously taught us how to make, and turning it into a paste and mixing it with plum vinegar. Cooking is also about creating new colors, isn’t it? After coloring the rice beautifully, she made nori rolls using a bamboo mat, cut them into five even pieces, and designed them into the shape of plum blossoms. Apparently, the lovely plum blossoms placed as decoration in the background of the photo are from Kyoshu-sama’s official residence! And in the center of the bento box, there is an adorable smiling face with a pink ribbon. You must be curious what this dumpling is made out of. In fact, this is the taro wakame salad with its delightful creamy and crunchy texture that we posted recently along with Masaaki-sama’s Sacred Word, in which he mentioned his “seaweed LOVE.” This recipe post was very well-received! And this masterpiece recipe has been adorably shaped into a ball here, sitting as an adorable character! Furthermore, the hijiki daikon mochi we shared in a recent post with the phrase “For strong bones!” is also in the bento. Mami-okusama said the following about this recipe: “It’s perfect for bentos! It’s chewy and delicious.” And indeed, that chewy texture is exceptional even when served cold. It is really convenient for putting into bento boxes. Yes, this signs-of-spring bento box is, so to speak, a plum blossom garden where Mami-okusama’s latest popular vegan recipes have all gathered together. “It was so cute and delicious! It was the best!” Her eldest daughter, Mei-sama, was greatly delighted. Mami-okusama, thank you so much once again for the photo of this heartwarming magical box. 【Bento Menu】＊30 percent polished rice cooked in a clay pot (200g)On the left is a red plum blossom, and on the right a white plum blossom.The gentle pink color of the red plum blossom can be made by using the homemade pickled plums matured for three years, turning it into a paste and mixing it with plum vinegar. Make the nori rolls using a bamboo mat, cut them into five even pieces, and arrange them in the shape of plum blossoms.＊Taro wakame salad (recently posted on Instagram)Roll into a ball like a hanami dango (colorful dumplings eaten during the flower viewing season), and design the face using nori seaweed.＊Hijiki daikon mochi (recently posted on Instagram)＊Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) with sesame dressing＊Flower decorationsUse boiled carrots and daikon radish with freshly roasted sesame seeds for the flowers. Also use pickled red ginger to make a flower. When you open the lid, there’s a plum blossom garden! Mami-okusama’s super cute vegan bento, no. 11Likes, saves, and shares are most welcome✨ ---About Mami-okusama (Mami Okada)She was born in Aichi Prefecture and grew up in a farming household. She is also known as “Japan’s vegan beauty.” During her studies at University of Tsukuba, 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 Okada (Masaaki-sama), the great-grandson of the founder of World Church of Messiah, Mokichi Okada (Meishu-sama 1882-1955), and the representative and successor of Kyoshu-sama. Currently, while raising three children, she is single-mindedly walking the path of God, including working more energetically unlike anyone else on the Sacred Word of the founder, “In the world of Miroku, humanity will follow a vegan diet,” which was resurrected in our day by Masaaki-sama. She currently resides in Atami City.