How to hold sticks for sushi: photo, video, scheme
Chinese and Japanese food is getting biggerpopularity. The peculiarity of such delicacies lies in the fact that standard instruments are not usually used for their use. In the process of eating, it is customary to manage special chopsticks, which are called hasi. This cutlery is actively used not only in Japan, but also in China, Vietnam and Korea. As a rule, Chinese hasi for sushi, rolls and other dishes are made of bone, wood, plastic or metal. Regardless of the material from which the sticks are made, the main thing is to learn how to properly hold them and use them.
Who came up with chopsticks?
Sticks are a traditional cutleryfor a number of eastern countries. Hasi is a very ancient invention. If you believe the research of archaeologists, the first such tools for eating appeared about 3 thousand years ago, during the reign of the Shang dynasty. Despite the fact that traditionally Japan is considered the birthplace of Hasi, the first cutlery was found in China. By the way, the local population still call such chopsticks not khashi, but kuajzi.
It is also remarkable that there are severallegends and myths associated with the invention of chopsticks for sushi. In some eastern countries, there is a legend according to which Hasi came up with and suggested using Yu. This is a clever emperor, who wished to take hot meat from the pot, but he had nothing to do. Then he used chopsticks.
Interesting! It is generally believed that the first hashi were long enough, about 38 cm. Now this type of sticks is used in household use, they are used for cooking. The habitual sticks used for food intake are somewhat shorter. Their length, as a rule, is 25 cm.
In Japan, the rods came only in the 12th century. A traditional device is made of bamboo. Many modern variations can be safely called a work of art. They are varnished, decorated, decorated with various ornaments, inlaid with mother of pearl. It is no wonder that in many eastern countries the sticks are considered a luxurious and presentable gift, which is often presented to dear people, newlyweds, heroes.
There is another legend related tothe emergence of chopsticks. It says that he invented them Rikyo. It is he who is considered the founder of the tea ceremony. Tradition says: one day Rikyo went into the woods after brushwood. A couple of twigs liked him. He cleared them of the bark. And there were chopsticks for food. But in the eastern countries they are a personal subject, like a toothbrush or a comb. That is why Hasi are not given to strangers. To this end, disposable sticks for sushi and rolls are used.
Hasi in Japan, China and other states of thisregion can not be called a simple subject of everyday life. This is a special thing. Surprisingly, local residents often use sticks in the process of developing and nurturing a baby. It is believed that they help develop the child's mental abilities and fine motor skills. That is why there is a unique holiday, which is usually called the "First Wand". Mark it when the birthday of the crumbs is one hundred and twenty-four hours and parents allow him to try rice for the first time. To this remarkable date the child is given his first wand.
Types of chopsticks for sushi
There are several varieties of Hasi. The sticks for sushi, which can not be avoided in Japan, are different. There are 5 variants:
Hasi from cedar;
Hasi from cryptometry;
"Common" wand (Gon Fai);
Hasi for cooking;
varibasi.
Each of the options has its own unique features and is used for certain purposes. For example, Hasi from cedar always properly sharpened on both sides. These sticks are meant for eating fish and meat dishes.
Only one edge is sharpened Hasi from cryptometry, as often referred to as Japanese cedar sugi.
There is another kind of Hasi for sushi. It is called Gon Fay. This is how it is common to designate "common" sticksfor sushi. Why did this device acquire such an unusual name? The whole point is that these hasi are meant for shifting food from a common plate into individual dishes.
On a note! To distinguish Gon Fai from other kinds of Hasi can only be a real Japanese, because the nuances in performance are almost not noticed.
Concerningvaribasi, these hasishi for sushi are disposable. Such sticks are the most popular and widespread option in Japan. Such sticks are very familiar to all connoisseurs of Asian delicacies. As a rule, varibasi are served in a sushi bar or cafe. They are brought along with sushi when ordering a delicacy home. Varibasi is usually created on the basis of wood or budget plastic.
Another version of the sticks for sushi is intended for cooking food. This kind of Hasi has a unique feature - a length of about 30 cm. With this appliance, the Japanese usually mix the dish when it is cooked in a bowl with high walls.
The listed types of Hasi are just a "drop in the ocean". There are a huge number of varieties of sticks destined for sushi. In separate groups are allocated sticks for:
sweets;
celebrating the New Year;
tea ceremonies.
The Japanese are particularly sensitive to giftvariants of rods. This device is created from a variety of materials. Often, such sushi sticks are made from maple, bamboo, plum, cypress, pine wood, sandalwood, ivory. Rarely, but still there are gift sticks made of high-quality plastic.
As a rule, non-trivial Hasi whoare created as a presentation, covered with varnish or paint. Often they are painted with hieroglyphs and decorated with all sorts of ornaments. Their tip differs by a pyramidal or conical cut.
How to keep the sticks for sushi?
Learn how to eat properly withspecial sticks - a true art. But if millions of Chinese and Japanese are easily managed by them while eating land, then the task is feasible for any person. To learn how to hold a simple instrument is possible. The main thing is to observe a few simple rules.
It is very important to relax your hand properly, do not stick your little finger far to the side and do not strain your wrist, keep your wands calm. All movements are measured, tender, maximum free.
To properly hold the sticks for sushi,it will be necessary to bend a little finger and a ring finger slightly, pressing them against each other. Then take the wand, which you need to keep between the index and thumb. A certain level must be observed. This is 1/3 of the top, thickest edge of the stick.
During the reception of food, hasi should not just be kept, but fixed, so that the sticks remain immobile. The device itself must be held on the ring finger.
As for the second stick from the open kit, it can be used in two ways.
The first option is this: the stick is held like a writing pen. It is necessary to hold it with the help of the middle, large and index fingers.
The second use of the wandimplies the capture of the instrument at level 1/3 from the upper edge of Hasi. In this case, the stick is located on the first phalanx of the index finger. It is recommended to hold it with the middle and big fingers almost at the center of the device. After all, it is necessary to allow him to move quite easily, without pressure and tension.
To freely take food from a plate usingHasi in this technique, at the top of the wand should be located at a distance of about 1.5 cm from each other. Only the lower edges meet, which should not knock on plates or table surfaces.
Note! It is forbidden to keep the sticks in the fist. This is a sign of bellicosity and aggressiveness.
In order to take food with chopsticks from a plate,you need to learn how to properly plant them and connect them. To do this, you just need to unbend and bend the middle and index fingers on the hand if necessary.
Video
If you want to learn more about how to properly hold the sticks for sushi, then watch a video about it.
