Chopstick Rests | ||
| Unsolved mystery items7403 of 96522 | ![Loofa Sponge [?] Chopstick Rests](https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/rjC6Swq.P4gL4.nxDrFTQQ-thumb.jpeg) |  |
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Posted 4 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
I found these yesterday and think they might be kind of old and/or special. They are each marked with a stamp under them. For tiny items, there sure is a lot of detail.
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Pretty zigzag design, nice set
Thank you Newfld. i haven't found out anything about these ones yet.
These chopstick rests (hashioki) are from Japan, where it's customary to sell them in sets of five. Yours represent a traditional instrument, an hourglass-shaped hand drum, called tsuzumi (or they could represent a larger version called otsuzumi). The zigzag patterns represent the cords that are attached to the drum heads; the pitch of the drum can be varied by tightening or loosening them. More info here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuzumi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ctsuzumi
I think it's generally considered a festive symbol, since it's associated with music. I've seen a lid rest for tea ceremony, decorated with tsuzumi and other traditional instruments, that was said to be especially for New Year; but I'm not sure that it's reserved for that use. In any case, it's an elegant and attractive shape that is also well suited to serve as a chopstick rest!