やさしい箸の持ち方を日本語で説明

Why is the ring finger called “kusuriyubi” in Japanese?

The Japanese for “ring finger” is 薬指 (kusuriyubi) — literally “medicine finger.” The name is said to come from an old habit of using this finger to apply ointment and mix medicine: it’s the least-used finger, so it was thought the cleanest, and it can’t move much on its own, so it dabs with a gentle, even touch. A little piece of history tucked inside an everyday word.

The whole set is just as descriptive: 親指 (oyayubi), “parent finger” (thumb); 人差し指 (hitosashiyubi), “the person-pointing finger” (index); 中指 (nakayubi), “middle finger”; 薬指; and 小指 (koyubi), “little finger.” Learn them together and the hand practically labels itself. In the clip they come up while explaining which fingers grip each chopstick.