Diversity of Ozuku stone, which is full of attractions other than its ultra-hard mouth. Among natural whetstones, there are some that are called “phantom whetstones” because their distribution in the market is extremely rare due to the fact that mining has already ended. One of them is the “Ozuku” whetstone, which lies in Umegahata, Kyoto. In this article, we will introduce the depth of...
Kato Mine and the Mystery of Marka: The History of Nakayama Grinding Wheel as Deciphered from Distribution Nakayama whetstone is known as the “king” among Japanese natural whetstones. Its overwhelming sharpening performance and beauty of finish have made it the object of admiration of knife enthusiasts and sharpeners around the world. Behind the stone, however, there is a story of “history” and “distribution” that is more than...
No Longer Unearthed—Inoshiriyama’s Lesson in the Art of Subtle, Hazy Sharpening Umegahata, Kyoto. This area was once home to a concentration of Japan’s leading natural whetstone mines. Nakayama, Okudono, Kitayama, Beniyama, and Mukoda – these names are still talked about among grinding stone enthusiasts today, but there is one mine in particular that is particularly mysterious and about which little information...
Soft but mirror finish! ~Moon ring red pin red immovable~! What is a moon wheel wheel? Tsuki-no-wa” whetstone is a relatively minor (meaning that there is very little distribution due to the small amount mined) natural whetstone production area belonging to a part of the Atago Mountains in Kyoto Prefecture, and is known by those in the know for its...
A miracle 10 meters underground: Why is the Kurumaguchi wheel called a “phantom”? 1. what is a kurumakuchi grinding wheel? Origin of the name Among natural whetstones, there is one that is called “miraculous” – the “Nakayama Kurumaguchi Togishi. Among whetstone fans and craftsmen, this stone is called “a dream piece” that one would like to use just once. Why is it so...
Miracle at 200 meters above sea level: How Nakayama Hill became a sacred place for grinding stones 1. where is Nakayama? What kind of terrain? Nakayama whetstone—it is a legendary existence that is not unknown in the world of natural whetstones. Among them, “Nakayama’s Tozen, Asagi, and Zuita” and “Kurumaguchi” are regarded as the pinnacle of final sharpening, and are outstanding in both rarity and performance. So,...
2nd Kitchen Knife Sharpening Experience Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Contents: The 3rd Kitchen Knife Sharpening Experience was held – Learn how to sharpen kitchen knives with residents of Shibuya Ward neighborhood On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the third “Kitchen Knife Sharpening Experience” was held in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, with five neighborhood...
East vs. West: A Showdown of Grinding Wheel Strata──Changes in Geology Lead to Changes in Sharpening Performance In my previous blog entry, I wrote about the peculiarities of geological formations in the suburbs of Kyoto. However, if we look more closely at the geological formations even in the Kyoto area, we can see that the formations vary greatly. The “individuality of natural whetstone” is very important for...
Kyoto’s finishing wheels fascinate the world──a miraculous fusion of miraculous geology and craftsman’s eye Finishing whetstone” determines the sharpness of kitchen knives, razors, chisels, planes, and other cutting tools. Among them, “Kyoto whetstones” are regarded as “exceptional” by sharpeners and chefs around the world. The Nakayama, Daitori, Okudono, and Shobutani areas in particular have produced “legendary” whetstones. Why is it that only Kyoto has...
1st Kitchen knife sharpening experience with natural whetstone Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. First half: Learn the difference between artificial and natural grinding stones Second half: Sharpening the knives you brought with you on a natural whetstone It was a knife that had been sharpened but never sharpened on a whetstone. The edge...
What is the Nagura Grinding Wheel? The Nagura whetstone is a type of Japanese natural whetstone that is considered one of the highest quality whetstones. This article describes the Nagura whetstone in detail, focusing on its characteristics, history, and application to cutlery. Features of Nagura Grinding Wheel History of Nagura Grinding Wheel From the Warring States...
Finishing natural whetstone Finishing natural whetstones are natural grinding stones used to sharpen knives and tools in the final stages of sharpening. These whetstones have a very fine grain and are ideal for achieving a smooth edge. Below is a more detailed description of finishing natural whetstones. 1. features of finishing wheels Nakayama...
Grinding Wheel Types Rough, medium, and finishing whetstone in knife sharpening: the trifecta of sharpness Three types of grinding stones, rough, medium, and finishing, are essential to maintain and improve the sharpness of a blade. These different types of grinding stones are used according to the condition and purpose of the blade, ultimately...
Artificial and Natural Grinding Stones Artificial whetstone: a trusted tool for cutlery enthusiasts and craftsmen Artificial whetstones are important tools widely used to maintain and improve the sharpness of cutting tools. These whetstones are more durable than natural whetstones and provide consistent sharpening results. This article discusses artificial whetstones in detail and focuses on their...
