thumb|Small sized with black sesame seeds in it, and a medium-sized made out of wood
(, lit. "grinding-bowl") and (, lit. "grind-powder-wood") are a Japanese mortar and pestle. These mortars are used in Japanese cooking to crush different ingredients such as sesame seeds.
Form
The is a pottery bowl, glazed on the outside and with a rough pattern called on the unglazed inside. This surface is somewhat similar to the surface of the (grater). The pestle is made from wood to avoid excessive wear on the . Traditionally, the wood from the sanshō tree (Japanese prickly ash) was used, which adds a slight flavor to the food, although nowadays other woods are more common. The bowls have a diameter from 10 to 30 centimeters (3.9 to 11.8 inches).
Use
To use the the bowl is set on a non-slip surface, such as a rubber mat or a damp towel, and the is used to grind the material. Recently, plastic versions of the have also become popular, but they have a much shorter life-span.
History
The and arrived in Japan from China around AD 1000. The mortar was first used for medicine, and only later for food products. A larger sized Japanese mortar used to pound rice is an with a pestle called .
In culture
The highest mountain on Iwo Jima, Mount Suribachi, was named after this kitchen device.
See also
- List of Japanese cooking utensils