Thread: Hone ID help needed- Nakayama Asagi?

Hi folks,
I got this hone a little while ago, and the chap I got it from said the markings indicated it was a Nakayama Asagi. Whether that is true or not I am looking for help on. In any case it is a nice finisher - hard, but not super hard like my big gray brick (Ozuku) and leaves a nice edge. I'm not sure how the colors will look on your monitor, but the stone is a olivey green/gray color.
I've included images of the original stampings and box, if anyone can help with an ID I would be most appreciative.

Oozuku stones tend to be harder than a Nakayama anyway but It's hard to tell if yours is the real deal or not.

Originally Posted by MattW

Hi folks,
I got this hone a little while ago, and the chap I got it from said the markings indicated it was a Nakayama Asagi. Whether that is true or not I am looking for help on. In any case it is a nice finisher - hard, but not super hard like my big gray brick (Ozuku) and leaves a nice edge. I'm not sure how the colors will look on your monitor, but the stone is a olivey green/gray color.
I've included images of the original stampings and box, if anyone can help with an ID I would be most appreciative.

The "hada" ( jp. 肌 = skin on back side of the stone), coloration and character of fracture surfaces are looking like real Nakayama.
The stamp 正本山合砥 ( Shou Hon Zan Awasedo ) is also the sign of the stone from Nakayama mine.

合砥 ( Awasedo ) = honing stone

Originally Posted by Disburden

Oozuku stones tend to be harder than a Nakayama anyway but It's hard to tell if yours is the real deal or not.

The hardness of Oozuku stones varies a lot. Some are of medium hardness (3 of 5), some are semi-hard, some are very hard...
The structure and friability of grain of Nakaya stones usually are better for achieving finest edge of the razor.

The best of Oozuku stones are Oozuku from KARASU strata, not from Tomae (Awasedo type, like on photo above).

Is the labile on the box sun tiger ???
If so its probably Ohira, they sold mostly knife stones from Ohira and Hideriyama

The best of Oozuku stones are Oozuku from KARASU strata, not from Tomae (Awasedo type, like on photo above).

Karasu Strata ??? Hmm no such thing. Karasu can be found even in very shallow layer and very deep.
Awasedo type ?? Awasedo means finishing stone

Originally Posted by maxim207

Is the labile on the box sun tiger ???
If so its probably Ohira, they sold mostly knife stones from Ohira and Hideriyama

Box looks like Matsunaga 牡丹印, but I don't know anything about them.

Originally Posted by maxim207

Is the labile on the box sun tiger ???
If so its probably Ohira, they sold mostly knife stones from Ohira and Hideriyama

Hi, Maxim!

I am glad to meet you here!


Have you ever seen Oohira stones with 正本山合砥 ( Shou Hon Zan Awasedo ) stamp? I have never seen such stones.
The same is for Hideriyama.

Originally Posted by Nikolay

Hi, Maxim!

I am glad to meet you here!


Have you ever seen Oohira stones with 正本山合砥 ( Shou Hon Zan Awasedo ) stamp? I have never seen such stones.
The same is for Hideriyama.

Yes i have
Many finishing stones have that stamp it is very normal on Ohira stones and Atagoyama
Try to google it with Ohira Kanji and you will find many

Originally Posted by maxim207

Is the labile on the box sun tiger ???
Karasu Strata ??? Hmm no such thing. Karasu can be found even in very shallow layer and very deep.
Awasedo type ?? Awasedo means finishing stone

As for Karasu/Awasedo I should clarify my point of view.
I use the word 'strata' for what japanese call 層 ( http://jisho.org/kanji/details/%E5%B1%A4 ) and you call as a layer.
I use 4 clades to classify fine types japanese toishi, they are

1) Uchigumori （内曇） ( AKA 天上巣板 )
2) Awasedo ( 合砥 ), I include here all that Tomae (戸前), Namito (並砥) and so on including Aisa (合さ)
3) Suita ( 巣板 )
4) Karasu ( カラス )

it is not a geological, but rather practical classification of toishi very popular in Japan.

Just to be sure You can find Karasu in Aisa and Tomae and even in Uchigumori

Originally Posted by Nikolay

As for Karasu/Awasedo I should clarify my point of view.
I use the word 'strata' for what japanese call 層 and you call as a layer.
I use 4 clades to classify fine types japanese toishi, they are

1) Uchigumori （内曇） ( AKA 天上巣板 )
2) Awasedo ( 合砥 ), I include here all that Tomae (戸前)、並砥などを含む and so on including Aisa (合さ)
3) Suita ( 巣板 )
4) Karasu ( カラス )

it is not a geological, but rather practical classification very popular in Japan.