“Don’t play with your chopsticks!”
That’s what my grandmother often told me when I was a child. I think tons of Japanese people can relate to growing up with some family member telling them the same.
My grandma continued to teach me all of the specific chopsticks manners like never using it to spear food or point at people. For much of my life, I understood it as a matter of courtesy to fellow diners, but I now know it goes much deeper than that.
The word for chopsticks in Japanese is hashi, which can also mean “bridge”. In ancient times, chopsticks were considered bridges that connected the human and divine, only being used to share offerings with the gods. Although chopsticks are now used for everyday meals, considering its history as a holy tool, it’s no wonder there are so many rules around its proper and respectful use.