Table Etiquette for a Japanese Meal

In a general sense rules of etiquette observed at Japanese meals are the same as those at foreign meals, but the following points should be noted:—

(1)         When   various   dishes   appear  together,   for example
miso-soup,  clear soup, chawan-mushi   (a custard  of egg and
fish or meat), the hot things should be eaten first.

(2)         The   lid   of   lacquer   bowls   containing   hot   food   is
somewhat difficult to remove owing to the steam inside, so the
bowl must be held firmly with one hand and squeezed, while
the lid is taken off with the other and put upside down on the
table.

(3)         Japanese food is usually cut up conveniently for eating,
so a knife is not necessary.

(4)         Chopsticks are held as in the photos on page 28; that
is to say, the chopstick held between the first and second fingers
is  the  one that  is moved, the  other  one being held  steady
between the thumb and third finger.

(5)         Some of the dishes  are taken up  in the right hand,
placed in the palm of the left, and the food is picked up with
the chopsticks held in the right hand.

(6)         When the meal is over, all lids must be replaced.

(7)         When  chopsticks are  taken from  an  envelope,  they
should be put back in it after use.

(8)    When  no  more wine is desired,  the cup  should be placed on the stand upside down.

 

Leave a comment | View Comments