The theme of etiquette in the land of the rising sun is one of the most important points of Japanese culture, which has not changed for centuries. Asians do not part with their traditions, and willingly introduce them to the world community, where the ritual of eating and chopsticks is of particular importance. Master this cutlery at first glance, maybe only a magician, but everything is not so difficult if you familiarize yourself with all the dietary rules of the Japanese.

Chopsticks are an important everyday element in the life of the inhabitants of the land of the rising sun. They are selected individually for each person, and special attention is paid to their storage. So, special stands and elaborately decorated cases are purchased for these cutlery. Most Japanese even in cafes and restaurants prefer to use personal chopsticks.

History and geography

In general, the ancestors of this amazing kitchen attribute are the Chinese.

It was in China, 3 thousand years ago during the Shang era, that a certain Yu first used two wooden sticks to pull a piece of meat out of boiling oil. Subsequently, these cutlery was dubbed kuaiji, which translated means “dexterous object.”

After some time, Chinese bamboo kuaizi, which looked like tongs, came to Japan, where they were called hashi - “chopsticks” and were used in religious rituals.

Already by the 7th century AD, all the nobility and the imperial family of the land of the rising sun deftly operated such devices at the table.

In general, chopsticks are mainly used in 4 countries: China and Korea, Japan and Vietnam, however, even in Thailand, these devices have a place in serving, for example, for eating noodles and stews.

From what and for what...

There are incredibly many varieties of hasi. Some are used for desserts, others for noodles and soups, and others for culinary products.

These serving items also differ in material. Mostly, sticks are made from willow or bamboo wood, but the most popular are still those made from ivory, which acquire an amber color over time.

Often such individual devices are covered with elaborate designs or carvings. For celebrations, they use lacquered pointed hashi, from which food tends to escape. Yes, this is the whole charm of oriental cuisine with all its traditions and subtleties.

Today, plastic chopsticks have also become common, which are often offered in expresso cafes and sushi bars, but metal ones are increasingly used in cooking.

By the way, with regards to silver, chopsticks made of this noble metal were the main serving item on the imperial tables of China, because it was with their help that the presence of poison in food could be determined.

The art of hashi

The skills of using chopsticks in eating can be considered a real art, which goes hand in hand with a whole list of rules of Japanese etiquette. However, we will leave the rules for later, and now we will learn a lesson on how to hold chopsticks correctly, which we will also reinforce visual video- instructions.

How to hold chopsticks correctly

Japanese etiquette rules

In addition to the skillful use of hashi, the Japanese meal has many instructions, if not followed, it is easy to be considered ignorant among the inhabitants of the land of the rising sun. Here we will present a set of prohibitions, that is, what you should not do in a Japanese restaurant.

1. Wave hashi in the air;
2. Poking around in a bowl of soup, sorting through food on a plate, looking for pieces of a tasty treat;
3. Put the chopsticks on the table. For this purpose, a special stand is provided - hasioki;
4. Dragging chopsticks across the table is considered bad manners;
5. Lick hashi and hold them in your mouth;
6. Move, push dishes using chopsticks;
7. Stick hashi into food, such as rice or noodles;
8. Pass food with chopsticks from one eater to another;
9. Allow the sauce to drip from the piece of food in the chopsticks;
10. Dropping food from chopsticks.

In addition to taboos, the Japanese eating ceremony also has some regulations. For example, they are extremely annoyed when the eater, wielding chopsticks in his right hand, leaves his left indifferent. Many tourists, without realizing it, caused anger and indignation among Asian culinary specialists. According to the rules of etiquette left hand must hold the bowl during libations.

One more point. If you ordered noodle soup, then first of all you should eat the grounds, raising the bowl higher to your mouth, and only then drink the broth.

There are also rules in Japanese etiquette that would cause a flurry of indignation among Europeans. Slurping while eating certain dishes is considered by the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun to be something like praise to the cook. If the client does not make smacking sounds, loud sucking sounds and other similar sounds during the meal, then the culinary master may be offended by such “silent” behavior.

Also on the menu of Japanese cafes and restaurants there is a dish - sushi, which is more advisable to eat with your hands rather than using chopsticks. This is neither forbidden nor condemned

Japanese cuisine is a true art, which lies not only in amazing dishes, but also in observing all the nuances of food culture.

IN Lately came into fashion Japanese food. And along with it, traditional oriental Japanese chopsticks have become an indispensable attribute in any restaurant or sushi bar. For us, accustomed to standard forks and spoons, eating rice or rolls with chopsticks is truly wild. But So, how to hold Japanese chopsticks correctly?

A little history...

Japanese chopsticks are an ancient, traditional instrument used in East Asia. They first appeared in Ancient China. Legend has it that they were invented by an ancestor of the Japanese and Chinese named Yu, who was trying to get a piece of fatty meat from a hot and narrow cauldron. The correct name for chopsticks is kuaizi or hashi. Initially they were made from bone, but now wooden, more practical sticks are in demand. Rich people in the Middle Ages could afford to eat from silver cutlery to avoid food poisoned by arsenic, since it darkens the precious metal. In Japan and China, sticks were decorated with carvings, jewelry, and covered with enamel - this was a symbol of wealth. In the East, chopsticks are a purely personal item that cannot be passed on to other family members or friends. Therefore, restaurants and cafes serve disposable wooden or plastic equivalents - varibashi. As you can see, the history of this cutlery is ancient. So, how to hold Japanese chopsticks correctly? During this time, not only etiquette has become more complicated, but also the rules for using such exotic things.

How to hold Japanese chopsticks correctly?

Restaurants and sushi bars serve hashi together. In order to use them, you need to carefully separate them. The lower part of the sushi chopsticks is non-functional - it does not move while eating. The upper, dominant Khasi is the worker. So, we place the base of the stick that is located below between the index finger and the hand. Press the thin end firmly with the top thumb to the nameless one. At the same time, we hold the working (upper) hashi like a handle and manipulate it freely. Now you know how to hold Japanese chopsticks correctly. But don't forget about the rules of etiquette!

Etiquette and hashi

Japanese restaurants in Moscow offer a huge range of dishes that need to be eaten using hashi. After all asian cuisine- this is a whole tradition previously unknown to us. But just knowing how to hold Japanese chopsticks is not enough. Basic rules must be followed:

• Do not leave hashi or stick it into food (this is only done at funeral ceremonies).
• Do not lick cutlery - this is the height of indecency.
• If you deign to touch a piece of food with a chopstick, you must definitely eat it.
• Does your friend ask you to pass food across the table? Do not do this under any circumstances. This is not accepted in Japan.
• If you hold hashi in your fist, it means your hostility. While eating, do not play with them or move the dishes.
• Don't draw attention to yourself: communicate quietly and don't laugh loudly.

A little about traditions

In Japan, every family has special stands for hashi. They are collected and revered. In addition, the ability to eat with Japanese chopsticks is highly valued. For example, a competition is held for a hotel or restaurant. Whoever collects beads with chopsticks the fastest can get not only a job, but also an additional bonus. Khasi is a whole culture. Learn to eat them correctly, improve your skills at home, and you will understand why they are so revered in Asia.

The so-called Chinese chopsticks V modern world many people eat. There are those who eat food using them all the time, and there are those who eat with chopsticks only in Chinese or Japanese restaurants.

But in any case, many want to learn this, as it seems to them, tricky art. So, how to eat with chopsticks? In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. You just need to understand how to properly place the chopsticks in your hand. But first, let's dive into history. How did sticks come into being?

History of Chinese chopsticks

It is known for certain that Chinese chopsticks appeared before our era, but the exact years cannot be found out. Some historians believe that this happened in China during the reign of the Shang-Yin dynasty (1764 - 1027 BC). But there are documents proving that ivory sticks existed during the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 -220 BC). Be that as it may, only people of high rank could use them.

Simple people were able to eat food with chopsticks only in 700-800 AD. There is also a version that Chinese chopsticks used to be needed for cooking food, not eating it. They were used to turn over hot food and the stones on which it was prepared. Later they started eating with chopsticks.

How to eat with chopsticks? Chopstick options: Japanese and Chinese

Now there are many options for sticks. After all, they are in use among many peoples. In the 12th century, the Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese adopted these kitchen utensils from the Chinese. In general, all are eastern neighbors. But each nation's sticks have undergone changes. Traditional Chinese chopsticks are made of wood and are called “kuaizu”. But earlier, from the name itself, it is clear that they were made of bamboo and resembled tweezers. They just weren’t separated like they are now, but were eaten straight like that.

Chinese chopsticks are either disposable or reusable. Disposable chopsticks can be found in restaurants. They are usually in paper packaging, made of sanded wood. And reusable chopsticks are sometimes a work of art. If they are made of wood, then usually such sticks are varnished or painted, and then painted or inlaid. Either way, they look great. Eating with these chopsticks is a pleasure. It happens that they are made from precious and semi-precious metals.

"Kuaizu" can also be of completely different shapes. The tips can be blunt, with a round, square, oval or triangular cross-section, or they can be flat.

Japanese chopsticks are called "hashi". They are traditionally made from wood. Most often from pine, cypress, plum, maple, cedar, willow and various types of sandalwood. Reusable “hashi” are painted or varnished. Appearance theirs is slightly different from the Chinese "kuaizu". Namely, more pointed ends and length.

In Japan, chopsticks are shorter. Their cross-section may be square or round shape. But disposable “hashi” are interesting because there is such a variety as breakable ones - “varibashi”. The bottom line is that during manufacturing, the sticks are not completely separated from each other, but are only separated by a cut in the middle. In a restaurant, the visitor independently separates the sticks, breaking them a little. That's why they are called that.

Japanese chopsticks are also interesting because they have a special stand called “hashioki”. According to etiquette, you need to place the chopsticks on it with thin ends, turning them slightly to the left. Most often, hasioki is also made of wood. It has multiple meanings.

How to eat with chopsticks? Other stick options

In Vietnam, chopsticks are also made of wood. But in Korea they are quite thin and usually made of metal.
Nowadays, chopsticks are also made from materials such as plastic, Ivory, deer horn. But they eat them the same everywhere. Now let's try to master some techniques to how to eat with chopsticks.

Everyone knows that fine motor skills contribute to the development of mental abilities. This is why the Chinese teach one-year-old children how to use chopsticks. Scientists have even derived a special formula, from which it can be seen that if an inexperienced person is given Chinese chopsticks, then after eating 1000 meals, he will be able to use them as well as with his own hands.

The main thing about eating with chopsticks is relax your hand. Otherwise nothing will work. So, let’s conditionally call the sticks upper and lower, because this is how they will be located in the hand in the future.

1. Let's take the bottom stick first. The little finger and ring finger are motionless; we press them together. The middle and index fingers are of no use to us now.
2. We place the lower stick between the thumb and hand and fix it so that its thin edge rests on the ring finger.
3. Now take the top stick. We take it in the same way as we usually hold a pen or pencil.
4. When you want to take any food, the main movements are made with the upper stick. The lower one always remains motionless.

It is better to perform training on small objects. Then you are much more likely to cope with larger pieces of food. Once you have mastered these simple skills, you can safely go to a sushi bar and order rolls!

By the way, Japanese women, for example, do not have the right to eat national sushi with their hands. But Japanese men can choose to eat them with their hands or with chopsticks. But, fortunately, this does not apply to Russian women. Therefore, even in Japanese restaurants, do not hesitate to ask the waiter to bring ordinary cutlery. It’s better to honestly admit that you can’t eat with chopsticks than to find yourself in an awkward position.

How to eat with chopsticks? How to hold chopsticks correctly? Video

Chopsticks train small muscles of a person and develop mental abilities. Therefore, in China and Japan, people are taught to use chopsticks from an early age. It is interesting that in Japan, chopsticks, dishes and food serving items are divided into men's and women's.

Today, every person has already used or simply held Chinese chopsticks. Even if you are not a fan of Chinese cuisine, you have probably enjoyed the taste of food using wooden chopsticks.

What does a person do when holding an already familiar device in his hands? As a rule, he breaks the sticks into two parts and starts eating. But alone important point people are used to missing out.

Have you ever thought about what the rectangular connected ends of the sticks are for? As it turns out, they have their own purpose and are not designed to hold sticks together for any length of time. The columns should be separated from the sticks and placed on the table.

They serve as a coaster whenever you want to take a break or grab a drink. Chopsticks should be placed on this stand to avoid staining the table.

In restaurants, coasters look much more solid and also have their own shape, but more aesthetically pleasing.

Now you know, how to use chinese chopsticks. And you can surprise your friends and tell them how to use this simple device.

How to hold Chinese chopsticks correctly

Place one stick on your middle finger and hold it with your thumb, and put the second stick out like a pen when you want to write something - and everything will come out just right!” Now you know in theory how to eat with Chinese chopsticks, start putting your knowledge into practice!

Did you know what Chinese chopsticks are called? They have unusual name- kuaizi. varied and are eaten with chopsticks, even if it is fluffy rice or salad.

Japanese chopsticks

Japanese chopsticks or hashi came to Japan from China; they are made from bamboo, distinguished different forms and sizes.

How to hold Japanese chopsticks

First of all, take one stick right hand(at a distance of one third from the upper end) between the thumb and forefinger. It is customary to hold the wand with the thumb and ring finger. This should be done in such a way that the index, middle and thumb form a ring.

Take another stick, placing it opposite the first, at a distance of 15 mm. If you straighten your middle finger, the sticks will move apart.

You can bring the chopsticks together by bending your index finger and taking one or another food with the tips. If the piece is too large, you can soften it with chopsticks, but this should be done carefully. Japanese and Chinese chopsticks are not particularly different from each other, try to hold them and take food in a way that is convenient for you.

Practice eating with chopsticks at home before going to a restaurant and you will definitely succeed!

From a young age

How to eat with chopsticks? The Chinese begin to teach their children this craft from early childhood, so even a two-year-old Chinese citizen is already aware of the basics. It is believed that children who use chopsticks are ahead of their peers who use spoons in their development, but this information has been questioned. But the point is not that it is difficult for a European to learn to hold two sticks with his hand. After all, eating with their help is not physiology, but a philosophy that reflects the process of transferring energy from food to a person. And the common phrase “The East is a delicate matter” is not suitable for understanding the essence of things here.

There are different sticks

In their homeland, China, chopsticks are called kuaizi. Their length is 20-25 cm, they are quite thick - such devices are easier to use. Also, thick utensils are easier for beginners who don’t know how to eat with chopsticks to learn to use. Having moved to the Japanese islands, chopsticks received a new name - hashi. They became shorter by 5-10 cm and acquired sharp ends. These ends rest on hasioki - special stands. Hashi play an important role in a number of rituals and ceremonies in Japanese culture. Finally, the Korean version of chopsticks is jokkarak. Such devices are made from wood instead of wood. of stainless steel. Chokkaraks are very thin, so only very experienced eaters can handle them correctly. If you are served chokkarak in a Japanese restaurant, do not hesitate to ask the waiter for kuaizi or hashi.

Chopstick skills: Chinese version

Before you learn how to eat with chopsticks, you need to learn how to hold them. No one succeeds the first time, so try, try and try again. Here's how to hold kuaizi correctly: one stick with a thick end should be placed at the base thumb. The thickening should be next to the thumb. The lower phalanx of the middle finger will serve as a stand for the thin end. Now you need to press the stick a little with your thumb to fix it. The function of this stick is passive, supporting. A second stick is placed between the thumb and index finger, which is held as you would normally hold a pencil. This is what they move when they take food.

Chopsticks: Japanese version

Khasi are held somewhat differently. Here the passive stick is placed at the base of the thumb, but so that the upper third of it remains free. Approximately halfway along its length, this stick rests on the upper phalanx of the ring finger. Thus, the thumb, index and middle fingers form a kind of ring. An active stick is inserted into it, held like a pencil and resting on the upper phalanx of the middle finger. All movements are made with the index finger. Before mastering how to properly eat sushi with hashi chopsticks, practice thoroughly. Don't squeeze your fingers too hard - they will get tired quickly. But don’t loosen them too much - the chopsticks will fall out, an embarrassing situation will arise, and you will be embarrassed and may lose any desire to continue learning to eat with chopsticks.

Subtle and very subtle nuances

To avoid their appearance, knowing and being able to eat with chopsticks correctly is only half the battle. It is necessary to thoroughly study the peculiarities of eating etiquette in both China and Japan. There are significant differences here too. For example, to signal that the meal is over, kuaizi should be placed across the bowl with the sharp ends to the left, and hashi should be placed on the hasioki or edge of the plate. During a meal, before taking a piece, you must first select it, and not pick at the bowl. Food should not be pinned onto chopsticks, they should not be licked, and food should not be pushed into the mouth with them. In Japanese tradition, clenching chopsticks in a fist is regarded as a threatening gesture. And stuck vertically into rice - like a direct insult: such a dish is intended for the dead before a funeral... In general, it’s not for nothing that the skills of how to eat with chopsticks are called art. But whoever masters this art receives more than just the pleasure of eating.