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1
Pack half the bento box with rice.
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2
If the box has a divider, use it.
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3
Keep the rice covered with plastic wrap while you work to prevent it from drying out.
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4
Put the meatballs in too.
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5
Cut the nori seaweed about 1cm bigger than the rice all around.
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6
The reason why it should be cut so large is because the nori shrinks a lot.
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7
Cut the top part into an arch shape.
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8
Take the plastic wrap off and cover the rice with the cut nori sheet.
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9
It should shrink before your eyes.
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10
Cover with the plastic wrap again.
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11
If you're not going to finish the bento right away, put it in the refrigerator.
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12
Make the parts.
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13
Cut 2 pieces out of the sliced cheese using the Kyarappa cutter as shown.
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14
If you slice off the end and put them together, it will become Totoro's mouth.
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15
Make it very wide.
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16
Cut out Totoro's eyes using the Kyarappa cutter as shown in the photo.
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17
Cut the two circles apart where they are connected.
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18
Cut out two small circles to make the Soot Sprites' eyes.
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19
Take the bento out of the refrigerator, and put the cut out parts on top.
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20
Tip: Place the eyes wide apart.
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21
Make the face long sideways!
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22
Don't use a long thin bento box.
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23
Punch out two sets of face parts using a nori punch.
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24
Use the eyebrow parts on Totoro's chest, and the cheek parts as the Soot Sprite's eyes.
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25
Use tweezers to place the parts.
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26
Here is how it looks with the nori parts in place.
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27
I used a regular paper punch from an office supply store for Totoro's eyes.
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28
I washed it well and use it for kitchen use only.
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29
Use pre-cut fine shredded nori seaweed to portray the teeth.
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30
Don't worry about the top and bottom ends sticking out.
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31
You can just cut off the ends later like this.
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32
Stick on 5 strips for the teeth, then add the ears and nose.
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33
To make the nose, cut an edamame in half and stick it on with mayonnaise.
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34
Cut the decorative dividers into ear shaped pieces, and fold them outwards.
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35
You can use old fashioned bamboo dividers, or any type you have.
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36
Finished!
