Chopsticks
A Cultural and Culinary History

Offers a pioneering account of the history of chopsticks, charting their evolution in Asian food culture to the present day.

Q. Edward Wang (Author)

9781107023963, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 January 2015

210 pages, 32 colour illus.
23.7 x 16 x 1.9 cm, 0.54 kg

'How did chopsticks become an essential component in the dining cultures of contemporary China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia, constituting a distinct chopsticks cultural sphere? Gracefully commanding rich literary and archaeological evidence, historian Wang provides a nuanced account of the evolution of the utensil from its origins in ancient China millennia ago and incorporation into the daily lives of China's neighboring regions since the fifth century, to chopsticks' encounter with an even-wider world in recent centuries.  … Well written, with a personal touch that makes for interesting reading, the book will entertain both popular readers and experts, and will enrich collections on premodern China, East Asian history and civilization, and food culture and food technology. Summing up: highly recommended. All levels/libraries.' L. Ma, Choice

Chopsticks have become a quintessential part of the Japanese, Chinese and Korean culinary experience across the globe, with more than one fifth of the world's population using them daily to eat. In this vibrant, highly original account of the history of chopsticks, Q. Edward Wang charts their evolution from a simple eating implement in ancient times to their status as a much more complex, cultural symbol today. Opening in the Neolithic Age, at the first recorded use of chopsticks, the book surveys their practice through Chinese history, before exploring their transmission in the fifth century to other parts of Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Mongolia. Calling upon a striking selection of artwork, the author illustrates how chopstick use has influenced Asian cuisine, and how, in turn the cuisine continues to influence chopstick use, both in Asia and across the globe.

1. Introduction
2. Why chopsticks? Their origin and original function
3. Dish, rice or noodle? The changing use of chopsticks
4. Forming a chopsticks cultural sphere: Vietnam, Japan, Korea and beyond
5. Using chopsticks: customs, manners and etiquette
6. A pair inseparable: chopsticks as gift, metaphor and symbol
7. 'Bridging' food cultures in the world
Glossary
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Food & society [JFCV], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Asian history [HBJF]