Suribachi mortar and its Surikogi pestle

Totally handmade, these suribachi mortars are perfect for pounding and crushing: sesame seeds, mustard seeds, shelled walnuts, nuts, almonds, salt, cardamom, dried pepper, cumin, fenugreek, sansho berries, cashew nuts or peanuts. It has the advantage of being grooved, with ridges inside which means small seeds and berries are more easily crushed.