Nakayama Mizu Asagi Japanese Natural Finishing Toishi Whetstone

180 mm (7.1") long × 55 mm (2.2") wide × 24 mm (0.9") tall / 541 grams
Acquired from a sword polishing shop in Japan. This is a very old mined piece of Nakayama and the owner claimed that it was likely processed in the 1950’s from raw stone mined long ago. The quality of the stone as a razor hone is evident upon honing with water only. It is a very hard stone but just barely. It has the typical elastic give (not glassy or skippy) that high quality Nakayama often possess. The stone has incredible cutting speed and especially when slurrying with a fine diamond plate. The feedback of the slurry is light, satin, ice melting feel. Mikawa Nagura progressions are dreamy and the feedback is clear and sublime. A self slurry on this stone will refine the edge to a windshield wiper type experience. If this stone was a full 40’ it would be worth 2k+ so great deal in San size (long and narrow) shape and way more affordable for the same performance qualities. Collector grade quality with affordable San price. 

A photo of the stone's polishing ability on a high quality Japanese kitchen knife is shown.