Hashi (Chopsticks)

Chopsticks are an important part of Asian culture dating back to over 5000 years ago in China . Their popularity has deep roots throughout Asia . Chopsticks can take many shapes and forms from precious gold or Ivory crafted to everyday bamboo chopsticks. Regardless of their form, chopsticks have entered themselves into history books as an important aspect of Asian culture.

It is known that early Asian man would retrieve his food from the fire using sticks or branches. It is thought due to a population boom, food and resources became more scarce in Asia causing people to ration their food. Now people were cooking smaller portions of food, the sticks became smaller and more suitable, giving birth to the beginning of chopsticks that we see today.

The Chinese philosopher Confucius is believed to have further sealed chopsticks into history. He believes that knives did not have a place on the table and chopsticks were his preferred utensils for eating. His legend and widespread teachings were adopted by many people known as Confucianism, it was very much a way of life.

By 500 A.D, chopsticks had spread from China out to other countries such as Japan , Vietnam and Korea and soon it reached the majority of Asia . Traditionally in Japan chopsticks were used in ceremonies and funerals to pass the ashes of their loved ones. Before long Japan adopted a single tweezer like chopstick utensil for eating, this in time became two separate chopsticks. Their roots as ceremonial implements have created an etiquette for using chopsticks for food. For example it would be considered rude to point your chopsticks with another person or pass food to another person with your chopsticks.

Chopsticks are considered my many people in Asian to carry superstitions. To drop your chopsticks on the floor is thought to bring you bad luck. If your chopsticks set at the table are unequal lengths it is believed you will be delayed in your travels. It is all about believing but whever you are a believer or not, chopsticks have played an important part in the lives of many all over the world.