Japanese Chopsticks お箸

Find your very own at Natsuno 夏野, special Japanese Chopstick shop

1 Japanese chopsticks

1.1 History
1.2 Different usages in the world
1.3 Types of Japanese chopsticks

2 Natsuno-Japanese chopstick speciality shop

2.1 Location and access

1 Japanese chopsticks

1.1 History

In Japan, chopsticks are very special as everyone has his/her unique chopsticks. Introduced from China in the 7th Century, ordinary Japanese started using them around 8th Century. Japanese people are said to be very clever with their hands, as a result of using chopsticks from a very early age.

1.2 Different usages in the world

In the world with 5 bil people, about 30% use chopsticks, 30% knife/fork/spoon, while 40% use their hands. Japanese chopsticks are unique vs those of China and Korea in its shape (pointy towards the end), private (each family member has his/her own, vs shared in China/Korea), and placed horizontally (vs vertical in China/Korea).

There are lots of taboos in how you can use your chopsticks. For example, do not pass on your food using your chopstick to another`s chopstick. Do not use them to point at someone and so on.

1.3 Types of Japanese chopsticks

It is said that there are about 100 different types of chopsticks. Wood is primarily used to make them. Japan cedar, Hinoki cypress, bamboo and so on. They may be covered in lacquare, glass, metals and so on. They make great souvenirs, as they are made by artists in Japan, unique and varies greatly by region and artists. And they don`t break easily in your suitcase. Most importantly, they are very light to carry.

2 Natsuno-Japanese chopstick speciality shop

Visit NATSUNO 夏野, speciality shop in Japanese chopsticks, with 2500 chopsticks to choose from. Average cost is about Y3000-20,000 per pair. They also have a dedicated branch for children, KONATSU小夏, in AOYAMA. You can also get Japanese dishes and special chopstick rests.

2.1 Location and Access of Natsuno

The main shop is in GINZA (2 minutes from Ginza metro exit B3), but there are branches in Aoyama, Sky Tree shopping mall Soramachi and so on. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

If you have time, visit their sister shop UTSUWA 器located in the same building, 3rd floor, where there will be a small exhibition changing monthly and a variety of ceramics from different regions throughout Japan.