Chopstick culture in Japan
Japanese people usually have their own chopsticks and rice bowls. Therefore, it is very important to choose chopsticks that suit you because using chopsticks is considered a kind of meditation.
The use of chopsticks is almost 100% prevalent in Japan as part of the dining culture. Isn't this an interesting story?
There are various dining cultures in the world. For example, there is the culture of using knives and forks, the culture of eating with hands, and the culture of using chopsticks. Dining utensils in each country have been rooted in the culture since ancient times. In Japan, the custom of eating fish has been around for a long time, and using chopsticks has made it easier to separate different parts of the fish.
History of chopsticks in Japan
The history of chopsticks in Japan is influenced by China. Chopsticks began to be imported towards the end of the Yayoi period. The first people to use chopsticks were the emperor, and ordinary villagers used their hands when eating. In the Asuka period, Prince Shotoku was sent to China as an ambassador and brought back Chinese dining culture and how to use chopsticks. Later, in the Nara period, people also began to make chopsticks, and by the Kamakura period they became commonly used.
During the Edo period, chopsticks began to be painted and have diverse designs. In 1935, disposable chopsticks first appeared in the Yoshino region of Nara Prefecture, and children began to be taught how to use chopsticks in schools. In the 1950s, chopstick manufacturing developed in earnest, and a variety of designs and colors appeared.
Image: Wikipedia
Beliefs in Japanese Chopsticks
In Japan, chopsticks have been used in ceremonies to give thanks to the gods since ancient times. It was considered important to use chopsticks to pick up food without touching it with human hands. One end of the chopsticks is cut diagonally and the other is flat, as the diagonal end is for the gods and the flat end is for ordinary people. There is also a custom of transferring ashes to an urn using bamboo chopsticks at funerals.
Types and characteristics of Japanese chopsticks
- Shapes of chopsticks
Choroku - Chopsticks with square tips
Koban - Chopsticks with oval tips
Genroku - Hexagonal chopsticks
Marubashi - Round chopsticks
Tenkezuri - Chopsticks with diagonal tips - Types of chopsticks
Iwaibashi - Chopsticks used for festivals
Waribashi - Disposable chopsticks
Ryoribashi - Chopsticks used for cooking
Taboos regarding the use of chopsticks
- Tatebashi - Standing chopsticks in rice. This is considered food for the dead.
- Sefuribashi - Stirring around in search of food.
- Mayoibashi - Moving chopsticks when unsure of which food to choose.
- Giribashi - Holding chopsticks in a grip.
- Yosebashi - Pulling tableware towards you with chopsticks.
- Watasahashi - Passing food to someone else with chopsticks.
In modern Japan, chopsticks are made of various materials such as wood, stainless steel, and plastic. They come in a wide variety of designs and colors, and come in a wide range of prices. There are also practice chopsticks for children, which are designed to make it easier for children to learn how to use chopsticks.
In Japan, August 4th is celebrated as "Chopsticks Day." This originated from the fact that "hashi" (chopsticks), "hachi" (eight), and "shi" (four) sound the same. It was established in 1975, and the "Chopstick Thanksgiving Festival" is held every year at Hie Shrine in Akasaka.
