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Sneak Peek! What's Next for Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays

Writer's picture: Jen SequelJen Sequel
Bamboo mat with a bowl, spoon, chopsticks, and cherry blossoms. Text: "Sneak Peek: What's Next for Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays."

February is no stranger to some of the most unique and sometimes bizarre holidays. For those that may not have read any of my previous forays into the history of some of the Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays, I thought I would share one from the February Edition set to be released February 1st.


National Chopstick Day won't be celebrated until February 6th, but I wanted to share this bit early due to the fascinating facts I discovered.


 

Here’s the legal bit:


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact jensequel.com


 
Book cover with text "Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays" by Jen Sequel. February Edition. Wooden background.

I’ve come across quite a number of strange and not-so-strange holidays. A lot revolve around food. This one is the first I’ve stumbled upon that is actually about an eating utensil! Who knew an entire holiday would revolve around the chopstick? Of course, I had to know more. This is what I learned:


Chopsticks (Chinese: 筷子 or 箸; Pinyin: kuaizi or zhu), originated in China approximately 5000 years ago. The first known chopsticks were found by archaeologists at the ruins of Yin in the Henan province. The earliest uses of chopsticks were not for eating, as we are used to, but rather were longer and were used as cooking utensils. These longer varieties would be used to stir large pots of food, stir the coals, and pick out large chunks of food from the pots. Spoons were the primary eating utensil paired with knives to cut up the larger portions.


It wasn’t until AD 400 that smaller varieties were created and used as eating utensils. According to multiple resources I read, this happened due to a sudden population boon combined with improved cooking methods. Cooks began cutting food into smaller pieces that required less fuel to cook, and it was also easier to eat (eliminating the need for knives at the table).


Their widespread use is also attributed to Confucius. His philosophy was twofold: He believed knives evoked feelings of violence and warfare; as a vegetarian, he also believed knives were reminiscent of the slaughterhouse. By AD 500, chopsticks were being used widely across China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea.


As their popularity spread, different cultures adopted different varieties. In China, chopsticks had blunt tips. In Japan, chopsticks were seven inches long for men, and only six inches long for women. Korean varieties often had sharp tapers.


The materials used also varied widely. The wealthy had chopsticks made from ivory, jade, brass, agate, and coral. Silver was also used by the wealthiest. One legend has that silver utensils would tarnish when they encountered poison. Wooden and bamboo chopsticks have been painted and lacquered to promote longevity. Prolonged use of wood and bamboo if not treated can warp yet are also easily disposed of. Modern chopsticks can be found in plastic or even stainless steel.


Strangely enough, there are more superstitions surrounding chopsticks. In addition to the silver variety being a poison detector, one myth states that holding them too close to the tip will result in a long wait to find a marriage partner. Another states that having two different lengths will result in a missed boat or plane. Proper etiquette is also crucial for some as improper usage could insult your host.


I also stumbled across a few websites that shared a lot of fun facts I felt like sharing:


  • Using chopsticks is said to help improve your memory. (I’m not sure how but it’s worth exploring.)

  • Using chopsticks engages approximately fifty different muscles, tendons, and joints in your body from your fingers all the way up to your shoulder! Studies have also shown using them can help reduce osteoarthritis in the hand.

  • There is a documented phobia called Consecotaleophobia where people are irrationally afraid of being around chopsticks.

  • It has been estimated that the Chinese alone use approximately 45 billion disposable chopsticks every year, while the Japanese also use around 25 million a year. This equates to around 200 pairs per person per year! An effort to reduce the waste of natural resources led to the introduction of the People’s Republic of China to impose a 5% tax on disposable chopsticks.

  • 80% of chopsticks in Japan are made in a small city named Obama (population 32,000)


Who would have thought there would be so much history surrounding such a small utensil?


 

Vintage statue with intricate curls on dark background. Text reads "Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays, Jen Sequel, January Edition."

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