It is what it is
Lazy copy and paste coming, but good price even if you chuck away the rest
Japanese form and simplicity combine to create Salt&Pepper's OSARA Set of 4 Chopstick Rest. The 6cm chopstick rest with a beautiful matte black finish is a perfect accessory when entertaining with Salt&Pepper's OSARA range. Salt&Pepper is Fashion For Your Home. Composition: Stoneware Care instructions: Dishwasher, microwave & oven safe.
ahh on another look, it doesnt seem to include chopsticks.
https://www.myer.com.au/p/osara-serving-bowl-with-chopsticks…
This item from the range has explicitly said with chopsticks meanwhile this deal does not. So i am assuming just the rest and my description is now inaccurate when i say chuck away the rest.
I’d keep the chopsticks and chuck away those chopstick rests, tbh…
(FWIW, “Japanese form and simplicity” - I don’t think either of those descriptors are very accurate. I definitely never came across any chopsticks rests in Japan that were in any way even remotely similar to these! Except in colour, maybe…)
Mustn’t have looked very hard, you can get a multitude of designs to suit any style
I think you missed my point - yes there are a multitude of styles, ranging from minimalist to ornate, to novelty.
But I have never ever seen one used in a Japanese restaurant that was a cross like this. It does not represent Japanese form or Japanese simplicity (that would be a simple curved bar), nor is it representative of Japanese ornamental design. It is a very Western design (or western attempt of something Japanese/Asian). It’s very superfluous - the exact opposite of Japanese simplicity!
Could you buy one of these in Japan? Sure, I would say you probably could. But it does not mean it is common or traditional, and it does not make it represent Japanese form or simplicity!
(Also, FWIW, while I can’t say I am an expert in Japanese culture, in addition to upright chopsticks in your bowl, crossed chopsticks is taboo in Japanese/Asian culture (due to some link with funerals / death). I highly doubt Japanese people would use cross shaped chopstick holders if crossing chopsticks is frowned upon!)
Absolutely👍
On many trips to most parts of Japan since 2005, dining in humble to expensive restaurants & homes, I've never seen these used.
Have seen ornate chopstick rests in restaurants in China.
Japanese form is far simpler (& uncluttered), as said.
Wikipedia notes "In East Asia, chopstick rests are usually used at formal dinners. They are placed on the front-left side of the dishes, with the chopsticks parallel to the table edge and the points toward the left, or to the right side of the dishes, with the chopstick points towards to the front."
Well said - superfluous!
Just rest chopsticks on your bowl or plate🍛
Or be creative & fold a chopstick rest
Was given a (blue & white Chinese) set long ago. Never used.
I am 100% saying you could purchase these and even crazier ones in japan
@Yamai: Yep. And I'm 100% saying that that is 100% completely irrelevant to my point.
You can also buy panties from a vending machine - that doesn't make it reflective of Japanese simplicity or Japanese form (ok maybe Japanese "form" in a different sense!).
But whatevs man. Enjoy your cross shaped chopstick rests!
@caprimulgus: Unfortunately, your vending machine fact about Japan shows a common misunderstanding. (Out of curiosity, I've searched unsuccessfully😞) It's more a titillating story for Foreigners than reality.
There seem to be less vending machines each visit, as underage alcohol & smoking is controlled & machines are robbed. I loved a cold beer from street vending machines a decade ago, when the temp hit 35-40C.
@Yamai: We don't disagree chop stick rests are sold in Japan. Daiso here or in Japan would sell you some, likely made in China. But, many more interesting things can be bought there🏯
Japanese love knick-knacks & gadgets, compelled to give them as gifts, but many are just for sales to (local & foreign) tourists - destined never to be used.
The difference is - do we see them used in Japan? Not in my experience. So why would we use them here?
These hardly follow “Japanese form and simplicity” as stated. Certainly found in China.
But there is a distinction between formal & informal (family) areas & dining in Japan. As a frequent visitor or friend in Japanese homes, I don't get the formal treatment. So Japanese may reserve these for formal dining.
Traditional aesthetics are for more simple designs in natural materials - a simple bow shape as caprimulgus said. But not everyone follows tradition.
Just as there are many products sold in stores here that most of us would never want or use…
Another koala or cane toad in amusing pose or a purse made from a roo's scrotum for the tourist does not mean these are commonly found or used in Australia! Or reflect Australian taste (or maybe it does).
I've been given some weird things bought here - that I don't know what to do with, & would be ashamed to regift. Maybe I'll give my chopstick rests away this Christmas, for someone else to store away, not having a use for them.
I'll happily use my chopsticks without these rests, as most Japanese do.
@INFIDEL: It’s easy to make this broad cultural statement of Japanese form and simplicity, but the simple fact is of a nation of 127 million people there are going to be large swaths of people who buy your ‘non zen Buddhist spartan asethetic view of japan’ because they like them and use them, and from my personal experiences staying at relatives home or friends I have stayed in have used rests that are not your simple lead or tear drop design.
broad cultural statement of Japanese form and simplicity
Um… Myers made that statement - repeated in this deal's description.
I made the distinction of discussing traditional Japanese aesthetics. That's very different to everyday domestic use of implements. But it can often influence modern life. Japanese can be very frugal & practical people - beautiful traditional implements can be very expensive.
Visually, urban Japan is much more ugly concrete & power poles than traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Similarly, my rice farmer friend who performs the Shinto rituals for his tiny village, does not rely on the traditional ways to protect his fields from pests😉
But in over a decade of visiting, still never seen these in use outside of the kitchen, where basic ones might be used as some here use spoon rests when cooking. Those have a very practical use there, rather than to impress dinner guests - as Myers seem to market these, as Fashion For Your Home.
It’s easy to make this broad cultural statement of Japanese form and simplicity, but the simple fact is of a nation of 127 million people there are going to be large swaths of people who buy your ‘non zen Buddhist spartan asethetic view of japan’ because they like them and use them
Dude, THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT!!!
It's not ME who is making the broad generalisation of "Japanese form and simplicity" - that is THEIR (Myer/S&P's) description. That is THEIR broad generalisation that they are using to describe this item. I am not commenting on the accuracy or not of that generalisation - I am commenting that, WITHIN the construct of that broad generalisation, regardless of whether that generalisation is accurate or not, the item does not fit that generalisation.
The fact that you are saying that it is a generalised view and that this is outside our (Myer's/S&P's) "zen Buddhist spartan asethetic view of japan" is PRECISELY. MY. POINT.
Let me ask you this: would YOU use the words "Japanese form and simplicity" to describe the item above? No, you wouldn't! Regardless of whether or not you believe that generalisation is an accurate cultural comment or not, and regardless of whether Japanese people actually do or do not use cross shaped rests, you would not use those words to describe this item! THE END.
This doesn't include the chopsticks right?