[Tennen Toishi] Yamashiro Meito Stone, 528g

The power of locally sourced and produced materials!!

Please refer to the box dimensions listed above. Weight indicated is the packaged weight. Please use this as a reference for size comparison.

The grain is clear, making it easy to work with and yielding a high rate of usable material when dividing the stone. We encourage you to actually try dividing and shaping the stone yourself to verify the properties and performance differences.

It contains a variety of types, sizes, and shapes. For blades you intend to sharpen, use a stone with ample size to create a flat surface. Otherwise, divide the stone into smaller pieces and use it similarly to sharpening Japanese swords.

It is composed solely of **first-class mineral deposits** from the easternmost part of Kyoto City’s Ukyo Ward, plus comparative samples.

The Umegehata whetstone comes exclusively from Mukonouchi-cho in Umegehata, known for Nakayama and Koyama, and extending to Okudono-cho, the origin of Kyoto whetstones, and the renowned Shobudani area.

This set features stones that haven’t been bulked up with inferior material; the quality is evident in how they break. The stone shaping was primarily performed by trainees under the supervision of an instructor with over 15 years of experience in the Yamamoto-style forging technique. We believe they have successfully divided, selected, and created a colorful assortment of stones, so please check the images.

We encourage you to try dividing the stones yourself and observe the significant differences in their properties, including the distinct coloration. (Prepare a flathead screwdriver, mallet, safety glasses, and gloves.)

Having even one soft, reddish-pink stone is a stroke of luck. (Please understand this depends on the batch.)

Clear grain in the original stone easily produces a flaky slurry resembling mud.

Sharpening particles with directionality are arranged on the flakes, resulting in surprisingly strong sharpening power.

The grain size increases as the flakes break down under reduced water flow.

The sliding action between the flakes is lubricated by the crushed slurry of sticky feldspar and mica minerals, creating a smooth gliding sensation.

Historically, it’s akin to replacing the konbu seaweed used to slide heavy stones for Osaka Castle’s walls with crushed flakes.

Excessive pressure during sharpening with too many unbroken flakes can create shallow scratches on softer metals due to the overlapping flakes and the strong sharpening power originating from Yamashiro Province.

Adjusting the pressure, sharpening angle, slurry amount, and water flow will improve your technique and reduce these scratches.

The visible results make it easy to self-assess and improve your skills, making it a recommended approach.

You may find that the “konbu attack” – using this technique – is very helpful when dealing with hard stones that were previously considered unsharpenable. It may even inspire you to revisit stubborn blades you had previously given up on. Traditionally, skilled whetstone artisans remove unruly grain through forging, but…

The market tends towards shortcuts in manufacturing, prioritizing thickness and size for higher profit margins. This means there’s a good chance you’ll often find yourself using the soft, reddish-pink slurry.

・Includes one finished stone weighing 528g. Size is based on the outer dimensions of the box. One stone, including the outer box and rough forging stone, weighs 897g. These are stones from Iyō Province and the upper-class whetstones of Yamashiro Province, with the miner personally inscribing the name to combat counterfeiting and mislabeling. The forging marks shown in the image are sealed within the margin. The raw stones do not have inscriptions, so please assess their properties by touch. This is geared towards those with a competitive and training-oriented approach. ・Neutral and rust-resistant whetstones from Tangawa Village, Iyō Province, dating back to the Edo period, revived after half a century!! https://bit.ly/IyoMIkantsubu The outer dimensions of a box containing 10 Higo-no-kami stones (approximate): 13.5 x 18 x 4.0~7.8 cm. Thickness varies. (It often overflows and bulges.) Total weight including the box is approximately 897g. We’ve eliminated the gacha element – you’ll receive the stones shown in the photos. ・Please polish and flatten the forging marks. If the stone is unstable, apply a wet cloth or secure it with silicone adhesive to a non-deformable base. Mining is done with heavy machinery, and cutting is done with diamond tombstone cutters. We are not involved with products that falsely claim to be “Iyō Meito” whetstones, as they are imitations. “Iyō Meito” whetstones produced since around 2007 are only made from small, granular whetstones. All inscriptions on stones other than these small ones are handwritten to distinguish them. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding “Iyō Meito” stones that have been selected and manufactured by others. ・Siliceous shale from Umegehata, Kyoto City, Ukyo Ward, Yamashiro Province. #6,000~24,000 grit. Relatively hard and requires some skill, but has a higher probability of achieving a fine polish. The continuous circular scratches make it difficult to achieve a mirror finish comparable to artificial whetstones and highlight the contrast between the steel’s forging lines, material, and carbon content. ・The harder the stone and the more rock dust it produces, the finer the polish. Because hard stones have lower self-sharpening ability, perform *komame-kake* (frequent slurry application) as needed while sharpening, depending on the purpose and your skill level.

【Voltage Compatibility】 When using electrical appliances, please note that they are designed for Japanese voltage specifications (90-110V), so if you use them with a different voltage, it may cause a malfunction.

【Plug Type】 Our products use Japanese plug types (A or B type). Please use a conversion adapter if necessary.

【Important Note on Transformers and Adapters】 A transformer adjusts voltage to match your device's requirements. A conversion adapter only changes the plug shape and does not adjust voltage. Using only a conversion adapter without a transformer may result in damage to the product.

【Liability】 We are not responsible for malfunctions or damages caused by improper use, such as operating the product without a transformer.