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Alex,
I did not meant to say that Asagi are rare, just that they appear to be scratchy and razor quality ones are not so abundant. So pretty much said the same, high quality Asagi is really hard,...

I don't mind a stone that is not of "pure" color, it works just fine for me.
I bet one has to try quite a few of those to actually pick up any difference, in the edge.

As Alex mentioned the really expensive ones are just consistently uniform and you know that after 1/2" into the stone you are still getting the same quality grit. Cheap stones, cheap by the standards...

Stamps can be forged, what you need to look for is to get a stone from a reputable seller. In Japan the skin on the back is a very important feature, people that have deal with stones for many years...

Probably one of the very few superb stones that come form that particular mine?