Setsuko Yoshizuka, over at About Japanese Cuisine has this to say about chopstick etiquette:
It’s important to use chopsticks properly when you eat Japanese food. It might take some time to practice, but it’s worth learning it.
Basics: How to Hold Chopsticks:
Hold the upper chopstick with the index finger, the middle finger, and the thumb.
Put the other chopstick between the bottom of the thumb and the tip of the ring finger.
Move the upper chopstick only when you pick up food.
Bad manners:
- Waving chopsticks above food dishes.
- Sticking chopsticks into food instead of picking them up.
- Picking up a cup/bowl with the hand that is holding your chopsticks.
- Sucking chopsticks.
- Sticking chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice.
- Passing food from your chopsticks to somebody else’s chopsticks.
How to Pick Up Chopsticks:
- Pick up chopsticks by the thumb, the index fingers, and the middle fingers.
- Support the chopsticks by the other hand.
- Hold the chopsticks properly.
Extra Tip:
When you finished using disposable chopsticks (wari-bashi), put them back in the bag and fold the bag in half. This indicates that they are used.
Yoshizuka, Setsuko. “Chopsticks Manners.” About Japanese Cuisine. 14 April 2004. <japanesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa051401a.htm> (16 April 2004).