The legend behind the conception of chopsticks in China began 2,500 years ago, when two poor farmers were cast out of their village. Searching for food, they came upon a storehouse, stole some meat and hid deep in the woods. They cooked the meat over a fire until the aroma was irresistible. Unable to wait for it to cool, they used sticks to pluck the sizzling meat from the bone. Hence, chopsticks were invented. In 500 AD, the Buddhist monks brought chopsticks to Southeast Asia. Fine lacquerware chopsticks by Red Zen are elegantly handmade from fine woods and lacquers by Japanese craftsmen using techniques that date back hundreds of years.  |
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Zendo & Rain Forest Zendo chopsticks(left) are made of uniquely beautiful black natan wood with inlaid aogai shell fragments. The Rain Forest chopsticks (right) are hand painted with golden rings. Click on the picture for enlarged view. | | Crab Red & Burnt Umber Crab Red chopsticks(left) are lacqured bamboo with half twist. Burnt Umber chopsticks (right) are hand painted burnt umber with earth. Click on the picture for larger view. |