Innovated in the country of China, at present chopsticks are widely used in Japan , Vietnam and Korea as a means of carrying food to the mouth. Also famous for being ornamental objects, the Japanese chopsticks are mostly made of lacquered wood and decorated with striking designs. The Japanese term for Chopsticks is ‘Hashi' which stands for ‘bridge'. Unlike the “squared off” ends of chopsticks of China the Japanese Chopsticks have a rounded as well as a pointed tip. This innovation assists the feeder to remove fish bones while eating.
A number of taboos and conventions are related to the handling of Japanese Chopsticks in country of Japan. Few of the most vital chopstick etiquettes are as following:
- One has to grip the chopsticks just before the ends, and not at the central part or the front point.
- Specifically at funerals, chopsticks are stuck into the rice that is put on the ‘Lord's Table', so in ordinary occasions, the Chopsticks should not be stuck in the food, particularly into the rice dish.
- One should not pass on food with one's chopsticks to others.
- After finishing the meal, Chopsticks should be laid down on the table facing the chopstick tip to the lift hand side.
- The chopsticks should not be stirred around in the air and neither should they be used as a playing instrument.
- One is not supposed to spear food with chopsticks.
- It is not polite to point with chopsticks to any object or anybody.
- Chopsticks should not be used to shift food around plates or bowls.
- One should practice the technique to separate a piece of foodstuff into segments by the means of Japanese Chopsticks.
- The reverse ends of Japanese chopsticks can be used to shift foodstuff from a common plate to one's own plate.
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