Chopsticks
began life about 5,000 years ago in what is now China. Chopsticks are
unique to Asia just as the fork is unique to Europe. The use and
popularity of Asian chopsticks spread during the first millennia AD from
the Han people of China to other regions of Asia to what are now Korea,
Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and more. Today approximately one third of the
earth's population use chopsticks every day.
Asian chopsticks
changed throughout history. They at times were short, around 7 inches,
and sometimes long up to 13 inches. They were first made of wood and
bamboo, and they've been made of other materials such as bone, ivory,
silver, gold, jade and ceramic.
However there is no one Asian
chopstick style. Chopstick styles became unique to areas and cultures,
and utilize materials and craftsmanship available in their regions.
- Chinese style chopsticks
Chopsticks
from Asia have many regional forms and styles. In China for instance
chopsticks have become long, about 10-1/2 inches, and are typically
square in the handle and round at the tip with little to no taper.
Commonly they are made of wood, with sandal wood being a 'nice' luxury
chopstick. This shape and length became popular during the Ming dynasty
in the late 1600's and has remained to this day.
- Japanese style chopsticks
Asian
chopsticks in Japan are about 9 inches long and taper from the gently
rounded handle to the tip. Japanese chopsticks come in many finish
styles from traditional lacquers with natural materials used as
decoration to colorful paints with beautiful prints. Like China, the
style used most commonly in households are simpler wood chopsticks with
little to no decoration.
Asian chopsticks in areas south of China
tend to be long, around 10 inches, round, and made of natural woods with
little or no finish. In Thailand they specialize in layering woods of
different colors - black, dark brown, red and blond - to create colorful
patterns. In Vietnam chopsticks are sometimes made of bone.
- Korean style chopsticks
Korean
Asian chopsticks are the most unique. Chopsticks there are made of
metal, modern chopsticks being of stainless steel, and are paired with a
spoon that closely resembles a western spoon rather than a Chinese
spoon. The chopsticks are about 9 inches long but are flat like the
handle of a fork. The handle is broad and flat and the chopsticks tapers
in width only until the tip is almost square.
Asian chopsticks are truly amazing works of art.
Poems and riddles have been written. Dastardly deeds have been performed with them.
You'll find all styles of Asian chopsticks at
EverythingChopsticks.com
including chopsticks from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Have fun browsing all the beautiful styles and works of art that are
chopsticks.