I'm not going to get into the match about if these are the same or not. Don't care. I personally have the one branded the Nubatama Ume 1k (medium) from CKTG. It was a gift to me. I have a Chosera 1k. I cannot get this Nubatama Ume to cut a bevel very well at all. Seems to be a very slow cutting stone. Precise and solid, but slow. I got a bevel faster on lapping film! Perhaps someone can provide some insight as to why? What I can do? Their experiences with these stones?