Universal
Cultural · Dining
You
お箸を食べ物に立てたり、箸から箸へ渡したりするのは避けてください。
おはしをたべものにたてたり、はしからはしへわたしたりするのはさけてください。
Please avoid sticking chopsticks upright in food, or passing food from chopstick to chopstick.
Romaji: O-hashi wo tabemono ni tatetari, hashi kara hashi e watashitari suru no wa sakete kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Shirimasen deshita, ki wo tsukemasu.
Reply
知りませんでした、気をつけます。
しりませんでした、きをつけます。
I didn't know, I'll be careful.
Gesture & etiquette
When not in use, rest chopsticks on the hashioki (chopstick rest) or across the bowl rim. Never gesture with chopsticks or point them at someone. If there is no hashioki, lay them parallel in front of you.
Both actions directly mimic Japanese funeral rituals — chopsticks upright in rice are used as offerings for the dead; passing food chopstick-to-chopstick recalls the transfer of cremated bones. Doing either at a meal table causes instant discomfort for Japanese hosts.