1.
mortar; millstone
A heavy vessel, typically made of stone or wood, with a hollowed center used for pounding mochi or grinding grains. Paired with a pestle (杵) for mochi pounding.
A large, heavy vessel with a concave center, traditionally used for pounding 餅 or grinding grains and spices. Made from stone (石臼) or wood. The stone type is also used for grinding tea leaves, soybeans, and other ingredients.
Types
- 石臼: stone mortar, used for grinding flour or tea
- 木臼: wooden mortar, typically used for mochi pounding
Common collocations
- 臼と杵: mortar and mallet (traditional pair)
- 臼で挽く: to grind with a millstone
- 臼に入れる: to put into the mortar
Cultural note
石臼 were once essential household tools for grinding grain. Today they are mostly seen at traditional events, craft workshops, and matcha production facilities where tea leaves are stone-ground.