箸はし渡わたし

noun

passing bones between chopsticks at a funeral

Refers to the ritual at a Japanese cremation where family members use chopsticks to pass bone fragments into the urn. This specific act is the origin of the taboo against passing food directly between chopsticks.

• 葬そう儀ぎで箸はし渡わたしを行おこなうときは、骨ほねを直ちょく接せつ手て渡わたさずに箸はしから箸はしへと移うつします。

  When performing hashiwatashi at a funeral, the bone is transferred from chopsticks to chopsticks without using hands.

noun

passing food between chopsticks (taboo)

A breach of Japanese dining etiquette, considered taboo because it resembles the funeral ritual. Also refers to two people picking up the same piece of food simultaneously. Related to 拾い箸.

See also: 拾い箸

• 食しょく事じ中ちゅうに箸はし渡わたしをすると、縁えん起ぎが悪わるいと言いわれます。

  It is said to be unlucky to pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks during a meal.