Mt. Adams
Fish House
940 Pavilion Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 421-3250
How to Use Chopsticks
Chopsticks, known as O'hashi in Japanese, are the primary eating utensils in Japan. They originated in China around 2000 BC, and first appeared in Japan around 100 AD
Many variations of chopsticks are used in Japan. Metal hashi are mainly used for cooking. Japanese homes usually have plastic, ivory, and bamboo chopsticks. Restaurants, in Japan and the United States, use chopsticks called waribashi, or half-split chopsticks. Waribashi are made of soft wood and are still attached so those customers know that they have never been used.
Chopsticks are fairly simple to use, but it takes a lot of practice to master them. The following is one explanation on how to use chopsticks:
1.) Carefully break apart the waribashi (if you are using this type of chopstick). If your waribashi accidentally breaks, do not worry, just ask for another set.
2.) Place the first chopstick between your thumb and index finger and along side your middle finger. This chopstick will remain stationary.
3.) Take the second chopstick and place it between the tip of your thumb and the middle of your index finger. It should run along side your index finger and be parallel to the first chopstick. The top chopstick should be the only one that moves while using the chopsticks.
Chopstick Etiquette
Chopstick etiquette is very important especially when one is with a Japanese guest or host. Poor etiquette is considered rude to the Japanese. The following are some things that should not be done with chopsticks:
1.) Do not stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice. This is only done when offering rice to the dead.
2.) Do not use only one chopstick, especially when you use it as a harpoon.
3.) Do not point with chopsticks.
4.) Do not use chopsticks with two hands.
5.) Do not lay chopsticks down in the form of a cross or X. Keep them parallel to one another.
6.) Place your chopsticks on the chopstick rest (hashi-oki) only. Do not put them on the table, bowl, etc...
7.) Do not hold your chopsticks while making hand gestures.
8.) Do not touch the food of another person with your chopsticks.
9.) If you are not going to eat something, do not touch it with your chopsticks.
10.) If the host is giving you something with their chopsticks, do not receive it with your chopsticks. Let them place it on your plate.