Two weeks later I have settled in with a stone. I decided to keep the Nakayama for a few reasons. First it was less expensive probably due to it's odd shape. But I really like it for it's odd shape, makes it seem more natural. Also I was able to get consistent results with this hone that were
just a bit more reliable than the Shoubudani. I'm attributing that to beginners luck only, not a difference in stone quality.
Thanks to a few friends here (Seth, Jim, Teshiba-san) I then acquired a full set of Mikawa nagura. Botan, Tenjo, Mejiro, and Koma, all stamped. Interestingly the koma is so very different from the others leaving a candy yellow slurry, but using it made the whole nagura method click into place for me. Refreshing each slurry at least once seems to be important somehow.
The box I'm keeping it in is an old Japanese lacquer cake box which fits everything perfectly. Inside the lid is a Daruma doll symbol. Jim tells me the characters for Daruma (達磨) individually mean 達 = "accomplished; reach; arrive; attain" and 磨 = "grind; polish; scour; improve; brush (teeth)" Seems perfect to me for a hone box :)
Now all I need is to grow my hair out long enough to make a lacquer brush with, then I can finally lacquer this hone with the traditional urushim I have sitting right here. Who wants to have a lacquer party? Bring gloves, No touchy!
Ah... feels so good to have this all figured out. I couldn't be happier with the
results so far. Thanks for taking the ride with me.