Handmade Onta-yaki Suribachi Bowl – Traditional Tobikanna Carving, Natural Ash Glaze

Type: Suribachi (grinding bowl) Origin: Onta-yaki / Ontayaki (小鹿田焼) — Hita City, Oita Prefecture Material: Local Onta clay, stoneware Techniques: • Tobikanna (飛び鉋) decoration — the scraped, rhythmic pattern around the exterior • Hand-thrown on a traditional water-powered “karausu” clay-crushing system unique to Onta • Natural ash glaze dripping into green/blue accents • Flared-lip functional suribachi form • Ribbed interior (suribachi cross-hatch pattern) A handmade Onta-yaki suribachi bowl featuring the classic tobikanna carved pattern that defines this historic pottery village in Oita Prefecture. The interior features the traditional ribbed grinding lines used for sesame, herbs, and dressings. The exterior is decorated with layered glazes: iron-brown slip beneath flowing white and natural ash glaze, with beautiful green-blue pooling at the base. Produced using Onta’s historic water-powered clay preparation system and wood-firing methods passed down for centuries, this bowl embodies Japanese Mingei folk craft at its finest. Both functional and collectible, suitable for daily kitchen use or display.