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Eating with Chopsticks ("Hashi")
Chopsticks were first introduced to Japan by the Chinese sometime after 927 AD, at first only used by members of the nobility in conjunction with their hands and metal spoons. Chopsticks being an English euphemism (a literal rendition of "chop-chop"), they are known as hashi or otemoto in the Japanese language. Chopsticks are now the most common eating utensil in Japan.
Eating with chopsticks is relatively simple. The thick end of the chopsticks should be held between your fingers, so that the slender end is used for picking up food. Hold the first stick like you would a pencil, and then place the other stick in the cradle of your thumb. Maneuver the sticks until you are comfortable with them, making sure the thick ends touch one another as you move the sticks. The sticks will pivot at the thumb cradle. The slender ends of the sticks will touch slightly. Do not hold the sticks too tightly; little pressure is needed to move them.
Test it out. Pick up a small piece of meat with the sticks, exerting a bit more pressure as you do so. Practice will make hashi possible. Sticky rice is best when using chopsticks, as it clumps together and can be picked up easier. You can also bring the rice bowl up to your face and use the sticks to eat. It is considered acceptable.
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