Ever see one of these?

[pixelfixed]

I bought this in Japan,about 1967 whilst on R&R from my Vietnam Vacation
Obviously some sort of honing device,has a stone (no clue what it is) the bottom pce folds in and out.
The two blades were in the Box.

[Substance]

Sorry no Idea, but am intrigued to find out
is the cut on the end the full depth for the blades or like a slurry stone pocket with the blades in the main section that slides around like the European boxes do ??
the small cut out on top looks like a slurry stone rest point maybe??
I'll assume you have tried the stone & blades in the last 40 years, how did shave when used together?

[pixelfixed]

Sorry no Idea, but am intrigued to find out
is the cut on the end the full depth for the blades or like a slurry stone pocket with the blades in the main section that slides around like the European boxes do ??
the small cut out on top looks like a slurry stone rest point maybe??
I'll assume you have tried the stone & blades in the last 40 years, how did shave when used together?

Never used the stone,I think the cutout Pocket is for water? the slideout bottom pce I think to use your foot to anchor the box.
Is all conjecture,I have no clue.

[markbignosekelly]

Takeshi has one like that at aframestokyo. He says it would be used by wealthy people using the razor to shave the front part of the head. The bit at the end would be for the nagura. Might be worth dropping him a line for more info.

[JimmyHAD]

If it hadn't been bought in Japan I would peg the stone as an Arkansas Washita, but I suppose it is a Japanese natural. I don't know those so somebody will be along who can probably ID it. +1 on thinking the pocket is for slurry ...... or in this case ...... nagura stones. Nice kit.

[celticcrusader]

Could be a Japanese Calligraphy box with a Japanese Calligraphy stone used for grinding the inks? just a guess.

[JimmyHAD]

Could be a Japanese Calligraphy box with a Japanese Calligraphy stone used for grinding the inks? just a guess.

The box might be, but the stone is not the type I've seen for that purpose. They are called a suzuri and they have a reservoir cut into the stone for the accumulated ink.

[mrsell63]

As a calligrapher back in the 80's and 90's, I had occasion to use a Chinese ink stick and slate stone.

[rlmnshvstr8]

Agreed. If one ever gets into calligraphy this is a must. Slate and ink stick. The colored ones are really low quality but fun to play with. You can get some really nice shades of black with a stick and a consistency to your personal preference. But that is besides your point. IMHO, what it looks like you have is sharpening stone with a water/slurry well in order to add to the stone when needed.

[SirStropalot]

I bought this in Japan,about 1967 whilst on R&R from my Vietnam Vacation
Obviously some sort of honing device,has a stone (no clue what it is) the bottom pce folds in and out.
The two blades were in the Box.

Bill,

Take a look at this link. The description sheds some light on what I think you have. If it was used by a a Samurai, that's pretty cool. But, possibly very old either way. The link converts to the sold price, but it's to AframesTokyo.

430.00

Howard