Want to start a collection of something that does not take up a lot of space or well earned funds?  Want to collect something  that is unique and has been made, for what most believe,  is over 2000 years?  Try Chopstick rests,  or as the  Japanese call them hashioki.   Chopsticks have been around for 5000 years, archaeologists finding the first evidence in China.  Their use gradually spread througout the far east.   Much is written about thier history, but when hashioki came to be used is unknown.  But it only follows that some ancient decided to lay down thier chopsticks and picked up some dirt with them.  He or she  then used  a small stone, shell, or other natural item,  to rest the tip of the chopstick and  keep it from touching the dirt. Like a spoon rest,  the hashioki also protect the remaining sauce or liquid from touching the clean table.

    some examples of mine

Hoshioki come in all shapes and sizes.  Most are under just one inch to three inches in size.  They usually are purchased as singles or as sets of five (the normal set size for most dishes in Japan as four is considered an unlucky number.)  But the fun is finding them and knowing what you have found.  Often very simple, like small wood barbells or stone shaped with a thumb print indentation, they are made of almost any material.  Some of the most beautiful ones are made of lacquerware (in my picture is an Okinawan hat made of Ryukyu lacquerware) and Ryukyu glass.  More formal ones may be made of sterling silver, or even crystal. Some are whimsical and in the shape of fish, cartoon characters, dogs and cats.   They can be used as a matched set or mixed and matched to add an enchanting addition  to any oriental dinner setting. Collections of single hoshioki can be displayed  in printer trays or kept on a plate like colorful cookies. A small rack can easily be made with a strip of wide wood molding.   Use a dremel or table saw set on the shallowest cut, to score a small channel to keep your larger ones from falling off, much like a miniature plate rack.  You can find sets and small mixed collections on ebay for the best prices.  There are several sites on the internet that sell sets and singles, but beware, off eBay the prices can be much higher.  Singles can sell  for $1 for the easiest to find, up to $$ for the more elaborate or individually designed and made.   The Ryukyu lacquerware hat,  for instance,  retails for $15 at the Ryukyu Lacquerware Store.  But the hunt  for unique ones is the fun of collecting!