2 Threads, 1 stone.
A very modest looking grey tomae, this is one of my "thinking man's toishi" :hmmm:
An old Narutaki surgeon's toishi. The magical part is tough to decide- the fact that it can be fast and do kasumi, or turn into a mirror polisher lickity split with a switch of the wrist? Or the smell. My favorite historic tennen toishi usually have their own very distinct scent that is a vacation for me to a time and place. Some smell like old boat houses, or lakes, some the spray of the ocean, or have asmr like honing sounds.
This one smells strongly of anesthetic, like a hospital or dentists office. at first it was a bit of putting, but now tanquil. The goma is a rare treat too- I hate goma. I love this goma. this is more like fine mesh iron filings clumped together as inclusions- they have no jarring feel on the blade and are very soft and helpful in fast sharpening whether jigane kasumi finish or polishing the hado of the hagane bevel of this kamisori. I like to sit and think of how it became so entrenched with the scent of anesthetic- whether it was constant over time, or a fateful spill one day. :)
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