By Kokoro Still
Hashi do more than lift food.
In how they rest between the fingers,
a quiet gathers—
sometimes like shadow,
sometimes like breath.
And within that quiet,
Kokoro is present.
Hashi（箸） have been used in Japan for over a thousand years, evolving from simple bamboo sticks into refined tools of daily life.
Unlike in other countries, Japanese hashi are tapered to handle rice and delicate foods.
More than utensils, they embody manners, quiet presence, and a culture that values stillness at the table.
Hands That Guide
At my grandmother’s table,
her hand rested on mine.
She moved my fingers gently,
until the hashi aligned.
I thought it was correction.
Later I learned—
it was a quiet invitation
into another way of being.
Grace in Quiet Motion
I once saw hands
where hashi moved lightly,
like reeds swaying in water.
Even rice was lifted
with a stillness that lingered.
It was not the food,
but the quiet between gestures
where Kokoro could be felt.
Hands Without Stillness
There were other hands—
clenched too tightly,
the hashi crossing,
the rhythm broken.
It was not wrong,
but the stillness was missing.
And in that absence,
a restlessness entered the meal.
What I Noticed Later
Every day, I used hashi
without thought.
Only later did I notice:
they do not only carry food,
but also the way a person rests in the world.
And within that resting,
Kokoro was present.
In the way hashi are held,
not only skill is shown,
but a quiet that belongs to the person.
And within that quiet,
Kokoro is present.
Featured image: The image was created by AI (ChatGPT)
Comments