箸の使い方は食事の美しさや作法に影響を与える重要な要素である。正しい箸の持ち方や箸の使い方について、曹洞宗僧侶で庭園デザイナーの正野淳明氏が解説している。箸を持ち続けることで食事の態度も変わり、箸を入れることで食べ過ぎを防ぐことができる。また、箸の使用のタブーにも注意が必要であり、周囲の注目を集めないように避けることも大切だと述べている。正野氏は禅の教えに基づき、箸を使った食事を通じて食事を丁寧に味わう美しい方法を提案している。
Everyone has their own way of eating. However, one essential point for eating beautifully is the “proper use of chopsticks.” Whether you can use chopsticks correctly or not can completely change the way you eat.
“In fact, depending on how you use chopsticks, you can eat beautifully or eat without interacting with others,” explains Junmei Masano, a Soto Zen monk and garden designer, who is highly respected both in Japan and abroad.
In this article, we will introduce three proper ways to use chopsticks from Masano’s book, ‘Zen and Food’ (Shogakukan Bunko).
■1: Hold them correctly
“The way you use chopsticks can completely change the way you eat. Since we eat so many times, it’s important to consciously master the correct use of chopsticks. Please do so” (Masano).
For right-handed individuals, hold half of the chopsticks with your right hand and lift them horizontally. Then, support the chopsticks from below with your left hand and bring your right hand to the position where you hold the chopsticks (slightly above the middle).
Hold the top chopstick with your index and middle fingers and place your thumb on top of the chopsticks. Place the lower chopstick on your ring finger. Be careful as only the top chopstick should move. Hold the chopsticks with your index and middle fingers while using your thumb to support them with three fingers.
This is the correct way to use chopsticks as taught by Mr. Masano.
■2: Place chopsticks down after each bite
“Every time you take a bite, placing your chopsticks on the holder changes your eating attitude dramatically” (Masano).
If you keep holding the chopsticks, you might find yourself reaching for another dish while still having food in your mouth, or your chopsticks might inadvertently hover, giving off an unbalanced impression. Putting down your chopsticks after each bite not only prevents you from reaching for other dishes but also allows you to fully savor the texture and flavor of the food while chewing, helping prevent overeating.
■3: Pay attention to chopstick taboos
Another thing to remember is the taboos of using chopsticks. Even if your chopstick technique is correct, you might be labeled as “immoral” if you violate these taboos.
Some typical taboos include:
– Moving chopsticks: When indecisive about which dish to eat, moving chopsticks between different dishes.
– Moving chopsticks: Moving chopsticks to a different plate once you’ve started eating.
– Nibbling chopsticks: Licking rice grains or soup off chopsticks.
– Empty chopsticks: Resting chopsticks on a plate changes the shape of the food.
– Stabbing chopsticks: Stabbing food with chopsticks.
– Closing chopsticks: Dripping vegetable juice from the tip of the chopsticks.
– Yo-hashi: Pulling a bowl closer using chopsticks.
– Water chopsticks: Placing chopsticks on top of a rice bowl.
– Finding chopsticks: Moving chopsticks as if searching for something in the soup.
– Biting chopsticks: Biting the tip of the chopsticks.
– Pointing chopsticks: Pointing chopsticks towards someone while eating.
By observing in this way, it becomes clear that the use of chopsticks garners more attention than we may think. That’s why it’s important to remember the taboos and use chopsticks correctly and beautifully.
In conclusion, we have introduced three hints on how to use chopsticks that can greatly enrich your life, from Junmei Masano’s book, ‘Zen and Food’. What do you think?
In his book, Mr. Masano introduces the term “Kissen Cafe,” which is a Zen term meaning to focus on tea when drinking it, to become one with the tea, and to focus on food when eating it, becoming one with the food. Paying attention to how you use chopsticks and slowly savoring your meal is a beautiful way to follow the teachings of Zen.
Why not revisit how you use chopsticks?
Interview and text by Atsushi Jinnan
[Related books]
‘Zen and Food’ that Organize Life (Shogakukan Bunko)
Written by Junmei Masano
Making, eating, cherishing each meal allows you to live each moment of your life to the fullest. The first step toward a Zen simple life starts with meals.
Compiled into one book are teachings from Junmei Masano, who has published numerous bestsellers, covering the mindset needed for meal preparation, the attitude towards meals, actions during meals, and the essence of a simple eating lifestyle. It also includes a variety of vegetarian recipes, allowing you to start practicing Zen eating from today.
For more details, click here.