1) Rest the end of the lower chopstick in the V of your thumb and forefinger. Support the chopstick with the little finger and the ring finger.

2) Hold the upper chopstick as if it were a pencil, held between your middle finger and index finger, and anchored with your thumb.

3) Make sure the tips of the chopsticks are always even, and the same length - it is impossible to use the chopsticks effectively if the tip of one stick protrudes beyond the other.

4) When picking up food, the lower chopstick should remain still - only the upper chopstick should pivot, with the thumb as axis.

Eating etiquette

* Use provided chopstick rest to hold your chopsticks when not eating.

* Moisten your chopsticks before starting to eat - this makes food handling easier.

* Never stand your chopsticks down into a bowl of rice, like a dagger.

* Don't wave your chopsticks about when talking.

* Say "ita-daki-masu" before starting to eat, and "go-chi-so sama-deshita" when you finish eating. If the Japanese is hard to remember, then say "Bon appetite" to start, and "Thank you very much" at the end.

* Slurping is NOT considered impolite in Japan.

* If possible, try not to blow your nose at the table.

* Soy sauce is usually not poured over white cooked rice.

* When drinking alcohol, the etiquette is to pour alcohol into one another's glasses - but not into one's own glass. So be aware if your companion's glass is empty, and offer to fill it. If someone wants to fill your glass, you should pick up your glass and hold it while it is being filled.

* If there are bowls of communal food, but no spoons, use the thick end of your chopsticks (the non-eating end) to help yourself from the communal bowl to your own bowl. Rather than lowering your head to the food, lift small bowls up to just below your mouth for eating.