Vintage Japanese Millstone - 1990s Showa Era (25D-055)

Vintage Japanese Millstone, 1970s, Showa Era (SKU 25D-055)

Showa-era ishiusu hand mill in mottled grey granite with wooden handle

This vintage Japanese ishiusu (stone mill) features a beautifully grained grey granite body with subtle green inclusions and a simple turned wooden handle. Traditionally used to grind grains, tea leaves, or soybeans, its clean, graphic grinding pattern and solid weight give it strong sculptural presence as well as practical potential in a slow-food kitchen.

The two-part millstone retains crisp radial grooves on both faces, indicating light use, while the spout-like opening on the lower stone shows how freshly ground flour or matcha would have flowed out. Whether displayed as a wabi-sabi accent, repurposed in a tea room, or used as a functional hand grinder, this Showa-era piece brings an authentic touch of Japanese farmhouse craft to contemporary interiors.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Showa period, circa 1990s
• Material: Carved granite with wooden handle
• Use: Traditional hand mill for grains, tea leaves, or soybeans; decorative or functional kitchen/tea room accent
• Features: Two-part ishiusu construction; crisp radial grinding grooves; side spout for flour discharge; removable top stone; smooth turned wooden handle; mottled grey and green stone surface with natural variation
• Dimensions: 13" diameter x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minor wear and patina consistent with age and use

A refined yet rustic Showa-era millstone that celebrates the quiet beauty of Japanese everyday tools.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.