Suribachi

Suribachi (擂鉢, literally "grinding-bowl") and surikogi (擂粉木, literally "grind-powder-wood") constitute a traditional Japanese mortar and pestle duo. These tools find their purpose in Japanese culinary practices, primarily for pulverizing various ingredients such as sesame seeds.

The suribachi takes the form of a pottery bowl, featuring an exterior glaze and an unglazed interior with a distinctive coarse pattern known as kushi-no-me. This texture resembles the surface of an oroshigane (grater). The surikogi, the accompanying pestle, is fashioned from wood to minimize wear on the suribachi. In the past, wood sourced from the sanshō tree (Japanese prickly ash) was utilized, imparting a subtle flavor to the ingredients. Presently, other wood varieties have gained prevalence. When employing the suribachi, it's commonly positioned atop a non-slip foundation such as a rubber mat or a damp towel, with the surikogi being wielded to grind the substances.

Origin: Arita
Size: Mortar; Base φ5cm, Top φ9.5cm X H4cm (67ml). Pestel; φ1.55cm L9cm
Weight: 151gm
Color: Light gray with delicate green markings around the rim