An usu (Japanese: [ɯꜜsɯ], Japanese: 臼) [1] is a large Japanese stamp mill with a pestle called kine ([kiꜜne], Japanese: 杵), used to pound rice or millet.

Jun 22, 2021 · Once the rice is thoroughly steamed, it is put in a giant mortar called an usu which can be made of either wood, stone or concrete and the real hard work begins. Teams of 2 or 3 people pound the rice with a wooden mallet called a kine while another person slowly adds water and turns over the dough.

Dec 3, 2021 · Usu (mortar) and kine (pestle) are used for pounding rice and making it into mochi. Mochitsuki event is not only fun to do with family and friends, but the freshly handmade warm and soft mochi is also very delicious with Kinako, Anko, Sugar-Soy sauce, and or however you like!

Picture of a wooden, Japanese mortar used for making mochi. Copyright text 2017 by The Japan Guy.

May 28, 2005 · Usu are large Japanese mortars about the size of a medium barrel used to pound cooked sticky rice in preparation for making mochi.

An usu (Japanese: 臼) is a large Japanese stamp mill with a pestle called kine (IPA: [ˈkinɛ̝], Japanese: 杵), used to pound rice or millet. While the function of an usu is similar to the smaller suribachi and surikogi mortars, the shape is very different, as the usu usually lacks the rough pattern in the bowl, and has a differently shaped ...

An usu (Japanese: 臼) is a large Japanese stamp mill with a pestle called kine (IPA: [ˈkinɛ̝], Japanese: 杵), used to pound rice or millet. While the function of an usu is similar to the smaller suribachi and surikogi mortars, the shape is very different, as the usu usually lacks the rough pattern in the bowl, and has a differently shaped ...

This large footed vessel is an early 20th century Japanese mortar known as an "usu," typically used for pounding rice into mochi for New Year's Day celebrations and other special occasions. Displayed without an accompanying pounder (kine), the usu becomes a rustic planter, perfect for planting lush greenery and flowers in an indoor setting.

This large footed vessel is an early 20th century Japanese mortar known as an "usu," typically used for pounding rice into mochi for New Year's Day celebrations and other special occasions. Displayed without an accompanying pounder (kine), the usu becomes a rustic planter, perfect for planting lush greenery and flowers in an indoor setting.

The Ruhkala's owned a granite quarry in Rocklin California. Traditionally, Japanese American family members, friends, and neighbors gathered prior to New Year's Day to make special rice cakes called mochi. The women cooked the rice; the men pounded the rice in the usu with wooden mallets, and the children shaped the rice into individual pieces.