Uses and History of Chopsticks

The end and social occasion of chopsticks much reflects significant values of the culture in which they argon created or is int breaked to meet culture-specific needs from education of children to symbolizing the kinship between husband and wife. Eleanor Heartney (145) maintains that one recurring theme in the role of chopsticks in chinaware is "the closeness between pitch and woman, symbolized by chopsticks." The early evidence of chopsticks (made from bronze) were retrieved from an excavation of Yin Ruin's Tomb go go forth 1200 B.C. (Chopsticks 1). This analysis will focus on the design of chopsticks, their use across different cultures in different times, and how existents and design and use of them differ in different cultures in Asia. A terminal will address the ongoing popularity of chopsticks and culture's diverse influence on their design, use and space.

The design of chopsticks is relatively simple and has been basically the aforementioned(prenominal) for thousands of years. Two pieces of fall forest or other material are used to fashion chopsticks, though one socio-economic class is carved or made from a single piece of wood. There are two basic forms of chopsticks other than the longer, thicker categorisation used in wok cooking or to stir considerable pots of noodles or soup; "mobile" and "immobile." The typical pair of chopsticks note 7" to 10" and are two single tapered sticks, while the immobile form are carved out of a single piec

similar with all of the other cultures discussed up to here, there are in like manner restrictions on use of chopsticks in Vietnamese culture that are related to cultural beliefs. In Vietnamese culture, for instance, chopsticks should never be set down in a "V" soma when finished eating, since this is viewed by Vietnamese as a " stinky omen" (Chopsticks 6).

In all Asian cultures the growth in popularity of reusable metal chopsticks stems from environment concerns related to the use of wood because the manufacture of billions of pairs of disposable chopsticks is a cause of deforestation.

Near the end of the sixth century A.D., chopsticks use slowly began spreading from China to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Nipponese chopsticks are known by the term "hashi" or "bridge" in Japanese society (History 1). Early versions of Japanese chopsticks, eventually quite distinct from Chinese chopsticks, were constructed in the angular style of Chinese construction of the utensils. The Japanese viewed chopsticks as " rare" and first used exclusively in "religious ceremonies," with the earliest Japanese chopsticks used for general eating being make in the immobile or pincer-like design (History 1). Around the tenth century the Japanese began making chopsticks in the mobile design and adding other design elements that made them unique from Chinese chopsticks and more(prenominal) a reflection of Japanese culture.

Chan, Leslie. "Design Choice: Chopsticks." Media, 22 August 2003, 13-14.

Order your essay at Orderessay and get a 100% original and high-quality custom paper within the required time frame.