Today’s bento is my entry to the Japan Society’s virtual bento battle contest. My bento is based upon on a Japanese print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi called Octopus Games. You can see more of his work at the Japan Society’s website. I found these little seasoned octopus, or chuka idako at Don Quijote this morning and then dressed them up with kamaboko eyes and mouths. I also made a headband for one of them using kampyo.
Check out the entry by Bento Zen who also entered a bento into the contest. Gamene’s “Woman in a Hilltop Teahouse” bento is absolutely amazing! There’s still some time left for you to enter the contest too! 
I love this I love this! So cute! I love the kampyo headband and the angry eyes on the octopuses..and the oval wooden box is just perfect for this scene.
Thanks mils!
Omg, those are so cute! If actual chuka idako can be cute, these totally are! Love the headband!
Thanks sheri! I tried getting my son to eat them (cause he eats everything) but he absolutely refused.
Super cute! Those little octopus are really great! Looks like they are having fun there. Love the headband and the way you decorated their faces. All the best for the contest Susan!!
Thanks Lia!
LOL, this was the best I could do. 
Angry red octopus! LOL Very creative Susan. Good luck to you! ( I said the same to Megan)
Thanks hapabento!
Are you going to enter something too?
Hi Susan, I here thru Lia Chen, Bentolicious! Always admire the cute creations on all bento bloggers. Love these cute octupus, really makes me smile.
Thanks anncoo!
ha ha, this looks fun, the two octopus at the bottom really look like they are fighting!!
Thanks javapot!
Pingback: uberVU - social comments
this is awesome susan! i studied all the prints yesterday, and i knew *exactly* which one this was as soon as i saw it — what a cool, fun interpretation, i love it! best of luck fellow entrant, you are some serious competition
oh, and thanks very much for linking me!
Thanks gamene!
You inspired me to get on the ball and make an entry. Yours was so lovely!
They looked so funny and kawaii!
Thanks Angeleyes!
love the kampyo headband Susan! good luck in the contest!
Thanks Rachel!
Oh my… this is really great!… but I think I don’t want to eat it ^^” Looks to real xD
Thanks Lil’chan!
LOL, my kids wouldn’t eat the octopus too and they were appalled when I ate them.
Wow I’ve never seen octopus so small. Great job capturing the print.
Thanks Marisa!
Wow! I have never seen anything like this! I have certainly never seen real mini octopuses (Octopi?!) used in a bento before, and such a great colour! Love the facial expressions! Wishing you the very best in the competition!
Thanks Asfora!
Wow, what great faces on the octopi!
Thanks kuusou!
That is the most adorable bento I have ever seen. At first I was trying to figure out what you made the cute little octopus out of – it never dawned on me they could actually be real octopus. They are adorable (is that an appropriate way to describe these sea creatures). How do they taste? Very fun – beautiful job for this contest.
Thanks Karina!
They actually taste pretty good. Kind of chewy but soft, like cuttlefish and seasoned very nicely. LOL, you just have to get past how they look. 
The kids won’t eat them though.
Super cute!!!
I love the one with the head-band!!
I also love this bamboo styled bento box? So lovely!!!
Thanks Tona-mama!
That is wonderful! I love the funny little octopus!
Thanks Jenn!
This is really fantastic!!!!
Thanks so much Iris!