Chopsticks are eating utensils that originated in ancient China. They are long, tapered sticks that work together in order to pick up food from a bowl or plate. The Japanese first used chopsticks only in religious ceremonies.
Eventually, Japanese chopsticks were utilized for eating purposes. The first Japanese chopsticks designated for dining were shaped like tweezers. The utensils were crafted from one piece of bamboo. It was until the tenth century CE that Japanese chopsticks were made as two individual pieces.
Japanese chopsticks differ from Chinese utensils because the Japanese chopsticks are rounded and shorter than their Chinese counterparts. It is believed that chopsticks in Japan are more rounded in order to make it easier to remove bones from fish, which is a major part of the Japanese diet. Japanese chopsticks were usually crafted from wood. Women use shorter chopsticks than the ones men typically use. By the 17th century, the Japanese began to lacquer the eating utensils. In 1878, they created disposable chopsticks made from wood.
Although traditional chopsticks were produced from bamboo, these graceful eating tools were also crafted from other materials such as bone, pine, cedar, sandalwood, and teak. On the other hand, wealthy Asians used chopsticks carved from gold, jade, silver, ivory, brass, bronze, and coral. In ancient times, people believed that silver chopsticks would turn black if they touched food tainted with poison.
Modern chopsticks come in a variety of colors and designs. Consumers can purchase chopsticks decorated with polka dots, stripes, and other fanciful shapes. You can even find chopsticks featuring popular anime characters. Children learn how to use chopsticks by practicing with chopsticks containing special grooves and hooks to teach proper finger placement.
When eating Japanese cuisine, it is important to hold chopsticks correctly. The upper chopstick should be held with the index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Next, place the other chopstick in between the thumb and end of the ring finger. The top chopstick should only move when it is time to pick up a morsel of food. It is considered bad manners to hold Japanese chopsticks with all five fingers.
When chopsticks are not in use, they should lay in front of the eater, tips pointing to the left. Never pass food from one set of chopsticks to another. This is considered bad manners. Other bad manners include waving chopsticks in the air, moving plates or bowls with chopsticks, pointing with chopsticks, sticking the utensils into food, or spearing food with them.
