Fresh find from our recent Japanese Acquisitions Travels

Seldom available, this Japanese old hand carved wood USU mallet -kine- was used through out Japan to mash rice or millet.

The most common use of an usu is to pound cooked white rice into a very sticky mass in order to produce mochi. It is still frequently used in Japan in traditional restaurants and also sometimes in traditional, rural, or wealthier private households. Especially around New Year they are used by companies and organizations to make mochi together and distribute it to the employees to strengthen the group spirit.

This is a great hand carved one measuring 39.5 inches in length and with a 9 inch head tenoned to the handle.

It is an historic gem and the only work of art of its kind we have recently seen.

This dates to the Meiji period, circa 1900.

Provenance: Private Japanese Otsu collection.

About Japanese Art of Usu

An usu is a large Japanese stamp mill with a pestle called kine used to pound rice or millet.

The usu is usually about one meter high and is usually made of wood or stone. The kine is a long wooden mallet with a length exceeding one meter. The usu is usually operated by two people at the same time. One person swings the kine to pound the rice in a similar motion to chopping wood. It is physically demanding work and is usually done by men who often chant to keep time. Between each swing, another person puts his hand in the bowl to turn the rice. Timing is critical for safe operation of the usu.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. All our Asian works of art are accompanied by our lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese, Chinese, European, and Asian Fine art, antiquities, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels to Japan, Europe and China each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. After accumulating a group, they are imported to Vermont in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We ship internationally.