What should I know about chopstick etiquette at a Kyoto dinner?

[DennisM]

I’ve been invited to a formal dinner in Kyoto next month, and I’m honestly worried about using chopsticks correctly the entire time. I don’t want to accidentally commit a major faux pas, like sticking them upright in my rice, but I’m not sure what other subtleties I might be missing.

[ScarlettIR]

When I was invited to a formal dinner in Kyoto, I mostly watched other people for clues. The big no-no I heard a lot was sticking chopsticks upright in the rice. Beyond that I just tried to move slowly, keep things calm, and not draw attention to the utensils.

[Joshua.J]

I did ask a guest later and was told to rest the sticks on the chopstick rest when not in use, avoid spearing or pointing at things, and never pass food from chopstick to chopstick. I tried it and it steadied my hands a bit, even if I still felt clumsy.

[LoganEL]

I practiced at home with a cheap disposable set and the motions felt awkward, especially in a quiet room. The formality itself was the bigger hurdle, and I kept worrying I’d mess up, which made me more tense than any particular rule.

[NoahJ]

Do they expect foreigners to know every little nuance, or is it okay to ask the host if you’re unsure?