I became interested in table manners when I started to go to restaurants more frequently. I was concerned about how I should act and what to expect of the waiters and waitresses who served me. I also wondered about how I should behave while eating Japanese food. Although I eat Japanese food every day, I don't know very much about the etiquette that goes along with it.

Creating this homepage has been a great opportunity for me to learn more about these topics.

1) The honored seat (kamiza) is where the main guests sits. There is usually a tokonoma (alcove) with a kakejiku (hanging scroll) behind the kamiza. The seat is the farthest place from the entrance in a position where the guest can see the garden well.

2) The shimoza (lower ranking seat) is close to the entrance or passageway. It is farthest from the alcove and the person sitting here has his back to the window or entrance.