🥢What are chopsticks called in Japan?

In Japan, a chopstick is called a hashi. In everyday life it is sometimes called ohashi.

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🥢History of Japanese chopsticks

Chopsticks originated in China and are believed to have been introduced to Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BC - 300 AD). At that time, chopsticks were mainly used during rituals and ceremonies, and were rarely used in everyday life. Unlike modern chopsticks, chopsticks from this period were simple carved tree branches.

The kanji for "ohashi" (chopsticks) is a bamboo crown. "Bamboo" means to connect gods and people (things), and the meaning of "ohashi" with the bamboo crown is said to be a tool that is a bridge between people and gods, and is a way to express gratitude to the gods. Because of this background, the use of chopsticks became a culture in Japan.

During the Nara period (710 - 794), the use of chopsticks began to spread in aristocratic society. During this period, metal chopsticks were also used under the influence of China, but wooden chopsticks were the norm. During the Heian period (794-1185), the etiquette of using chopsticks for eating was established among the imperial court and aristocracy, and chopsticks gradually began to be used in everyday life. After the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the use of chopsticks spread to the samurai class and they became established as eating utensils. Especially during the Edo period (1603-1868), chopsticks were widely used by the common people. During this period, high-quality chopsticks with lacquer and decoration began to be made and used as gifts and ceremonial items.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the influence of Western culture spread to Japan, and Western utensils such as forks and knives were introduced, but chopsticks remained central to Japanese eating culture. Even today, they are widely used as an indispensable utensil on the Japanese dining table.

Today, chopsticks are made from a variety of materials and designs, including bamboo, wood, plastic, and metal. There are also many different types of chopsticks for different purposes, such as disposable chopsticks and chopsticks used for special events and celebrations.
Chopsticks are not only eating utensils, but also symbols of etiquette and culture. For example, it is considered bad luck to hold chopsticks upright, and there are different ways to use chopsticks. These customs and etiquette are an important part of the traditional culture of the Japanese people.

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🥢What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese chopsticks?

Length
Shape
Material

China Chopsticks

Generally longer than Japanese. For home use, they are about 25-30 cm long, and those used at restaurants and banquets can be even longer. This is good for picking up food from a large plate, as there is a culture of sharing large dishes.

Japanese chopsticks
Shorter than Chinese chopsticks, 18-24cm is common for home use. Small children may use chopsticks that are 16-18cm long. The standard size is often about 23cm long. This length is in line with Japanese food culture, where food is often served on individual small plates.

Chinese Chopsticks
Most have a straight shape with tips of almost equal thickness. They are generally thick overall and often have a square or octagonal cross-section.

Japanese chopsticks
Generally have a thin tip. In addition, the cross-section is often rounded, making them easy to hold. The thin tip is good for handling sashimi and small ingredients.

Chinese chopsticks
Traditionally, bamboo, wood, plastic, etc. are used. In particular, there are many chopsticks made of plastic or metal, and they tend to emphasize durability and ease of cleaning. You can also find gorgeous chopsticks with decorations.

Japanese chopsticks
The main materials are wood and bamboo. In particular, there are many chopsticks that are lacquered or that make use of the texture of natural wood.

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🥢High quality Japanese chopsticks

1) Quality of materials
The first reason why Japanese chopsticks are high quality and expensive is the quality of the materials. Japanese chopsticks are often made using traditional techniques such as lacquerware, and high quality woods such as ebony, rosewood, cherry blossom and bamboo are used. These woods are rare and have excellent beauty and durability.

2) The presence of handmade craftsmanship.

Many Japanese chopsticks are handmade, and each one is carefully crafted by a craftsman. Chopsticks decorated with lacquer or maki-e (lacquer painting) take time and effort to make, and are high quality and expensive. In addition, some chopsticks are certified as traditional crafts and require special skills. These chopsticks also have value as works of art.

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