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Asian ➔ Chopsticks

Identifier:

2018.54.1

Description:

These ceramic chopsticks are decorated with a green bamboo pattern and are accompanied by two ceramic chopstick holders. They are stored in their original packaging, a red fiber-board box with a dragon pattern and gold, foil-stamped Chinese characters on the front. These chopsticks are from China and were gifted by the Executive Director of Jenison International Academy to one of her employees after she returned from a trip to China.

Chopsticks are a common eating utensil in many Asian countries, including China, Japan, and Korea. Originally made from trees or bamboo, they were first used in China during the Han dynasty and spread to Japan and Korea. Designed as an extension of a person’s fingers, they acted like sticks to grab food cooked over a fire. Once noodles and rice became more popular, chopsticks began replacing spoons and are now considered the only eating tool needed in China, Japan, and Vietnam. Koreans frequently use metal chopsticks with a matching spoon.