Bamboo Chopsticks -Thick Form / 23.5cm- 42218 Dimension: 9.3 x 0.374 x 0.748 (LxHxW in inches) ; Weight: 0.5 ounces [Made in Japan] Bamboo-made chopsticks are light-weight, comfortably fit in your hand, and are designed to be very easy to use, with which you can hold food without slipping. They have been finished with urethane or polyester coating. &lt;How to Handle Bamboo-made Chopsticks&gt; 1.Do not leave chopsticks soaked in cold or warm water after use. 2.After use, rinse them with warm or cold water, and then wipe water off with a soft cloth. Never use any scrubbing brush or cleanser to clean them. 3.In case they are soiled, you can use detergent to wash them, but never use an automatic dishwashing machine or a dish dryer. 4.Keep them away from fire. Do not store them in the direct sunlight or in excessive humidity to prevent them from getting discolored or deformed. 5.Never use a microwave oven. 6.Let them dry well in the shade to thoroughly get rid of any moisture before storing them. 7.Keep them in a well-ventilated area. Japanese bamboo culture Bamboo exists closely to Japanese life, and it goes without saying that the Japanese have been using it as a tool for a long time. Bamboo also deeply influenced the traditional culture arts of tea ceremony and flower arrangement. Bamboo has the power to grow one meter a day and is seen to be green all year round. Because of its straight shape and flexibility, and the fact that people believed God was living inside of it, bamboo has been used as a plant that is mysterious and brings good luck for local traditional events. It is said that there are about 620 kinds of bamboo in Japan (1,350 kinds in the world). They are located between tropical and warm climate zones. Japan is the northern end in which bamboo can grow.Although Japanese bamboo is especially high quality and perfect for artifacts, the bamboo that can be used for artifacts is rarely found. Madake is one of the best bamboo for artifacts due to its flexibility, sturdiness and beautiful skin. Kurochiku, Hachiku, Torafutake, Nemagaritake and Mousouchiku are also used often. We could call Japan a country of bamboo.