箸置(はしお)き

はしおき
noun
chopstick rest
fooddaily-life
1. chopstick rest
A small rest, often ceramic, on which the tips of the chopsticks are laid between bites so they do not touch the table.
箸(はし)を箸置(はしお)きに置(お)いてから、お茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)んだ。
I put my chopsticks on the chopstick rest before drinking tea.
この箸置(はしお)きは祖母(そぼ)が陶芸(とうげい)教室(きょうしつ)で作(つく)った。
My grandmother made this chopstick rest in her pottery class.
季節(きせつ)に合(あ)わせて箸置(はしお)きを変(か)えるのが楽(たの)しい。
It's fun to change chopstick rests to match the seasons.
旅行先(りょこうさき)でかわいい箸置(はしお)きを見(み)つけて、お土産(みやげ)に買(か)った。
I found cute chopstick rests while traveling and bought them as souvenirs.
箸置(はしお)きがないときは、箸(はし)の袋(ふくろ)を折(お)って代(か)わりにすることもある。
When there's no chopstick rest, you can fold the chopstick wrapper and use it as a substitute.

箸置(はしお)き are small rests for chopsticks, used to keep them off the table and prevent contamination. They come in countless designs and are often collectible.

Cultural note

  • Place chopsticks horizontally on the rest between bites
  • Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (done only for rice offered to the dead)
  • Never rest chopsticks across the bowl (渡(わた)し箸(ばし) - considered rude)

Popular designs include seasonal motifs (cherry blossoms, autumn leaves), animals, and artistic shapes. Many restaurants use disposable paper or plastic versions.

Related Words

Related: 箸(はし) (chopsticks)
Related: 割(わ)り箸(ばし) (disposable chopsticks)
Compare: 箸(はし)立(た)て (chopstick holder)
core
Added 2026.1.15 3:53 · Revised 2026.9.30 9:34
04000/04481_hashioki