Japanese Mortar Bowl Value Guide

The Japanese Suribachi is a quintessential culinary collectible prized for its 'kushi-no-me' combed interior pattern. These mid-20th-century ceramic bowls represent a perfect marriage of rustic folk art and functional kitchen design, making them highly sought after by both chefs and pottery enthusiasts.

What Is Japanese Mortar Bowl Worth?

The typical price range for Japanese Mortar Bowl is $70 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the interior ridges; sharp, well-defined kushi-no-me lines command higher prices.
• Completeness of the set, specifically if the original wooden surikogi pestle is included.
• Size and glaze quality, with larger or more artistically glazed examples reaching the $90 range.
• Provenance and origin, specifically pieces that show clear characteristics of traditional Japanese ceramic centers.

How to Identify Japanese Mortar Bowl?

• Look for the distinctive hand-incised 'kushi-no-me' ridges radiating from the center of the interior.
• Verify the presence of a traditional brown or iron-oxide glaze on the exterior, typical of mid-century Japanese kilns.
• Check for a matching 'surikogi' pestle made of natural wood, which is the traditional companion to the ceramic bowl.
• Inspect the base for signs of authentic wear or maker's marks consistent with mid-20th-century Japanese production.

History of Japanese Mortar Bowl

The suribachi is an indispensable tool in Japanese kitchens, originating centuries ago. Its distinctive ridged interior, called 'kushi-no-me', allows for efficient grinding of ingredients like sesame seeds, herbs, and spices into pastes or sauces. Typically paired with a wooden pestle known as a surikogi, these bowls are a testament to the simplicity and effectiveness of traditional culinary implements.