{"product_id":"antique-meiji-era-wooden-yagen-apothecary-grinder","title":"Antique Meiji-Era Wooden Yagen (Apothecary Grinder)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAn antique Japanese wooden \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eyagen\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (薬研), a traditional folk medicine grinder used by households and herbalists to crush botanical ingredients for \u003cem class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eKampo\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e remedies. Dating to the Meiji or Taisho era (late 19th to early 20th century), this rustic \u003cem class=\"eujQNb\"\u003emingei\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e piece features a boat-shaped mortar base and its original hand-carved grinding disc. A distressed paper label remains fixed to the side; the handwritten ink characters read \u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003e\"白糸 浅草 三丁\" (Shiraito, Asakusa San-chō)\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, linking it to a merchant in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eAge; Mid-Late 19C\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eMaterials\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHand-carved dense hardwood, likely zelkova (\u003cem class=\"eujQNb\"\u003ekeyaki\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e) or chestnut (\u003cem class=\"eujQNb\"\u003ekuri\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e), selected to withstand continuous grinding friction. The wood has seasoned naturally, darkening from decades of contact with organic plant materials, botanical oils, and hands.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eAPPROX. Dimensions\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eHEIGHT: 24.5CM\u003cbr\u003eWIDTH: 48.5CM\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003eDEPTH OF BASE: 14CM \u003c\/div\u003e\nHANDLE LENGTH: 35CM\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Antique Character\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs an antique object, this piece has lived a previous life and shows the gentle marks of time and utility. The wooden grinding wheel exhibits significant historical erosion, splintering, and an organic cavity along one edge from prolonged mechanical wear against the basin. The boat-shaped base shows natural deep-grain splitting, widespread surface abrasions, and a heavily aged, rich dark patina from domestic use. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Mono Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58791410401664,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/6825\/1264\/files\/MONOBASKETS_142of220.jpg?v=1787839428","url":"https:\/\/monoantiques.com\/products\/antique-meiji-era-wooden-yagen-apothecary-grinder","provider":"Mono Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}