Nakayama Awasedo (Finishing Whetstone), Karasu (Crow Pattern), 730g from Kato Mine, Kyoto

Nakayama Awasedo, Karasu (Crow Pattern), 730g, Kato Mine, Kyoto

Nakayama, located in Umegahata, Kyoto, is one of the most prestigious names in Japanese natural finishing whetstones. The history of whetstone quarrying in this area is traditionally traced back to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), when fine finishing stones were closely associated with Japan’s imperial court, warrior class, and the craftsmen responsible for producing and maintaining important blades.

In later generations, Nakayama became particularly associated with the Kato Mine, whose Awasedo earned an exceptional reputation among professional sharpeners and craftsmen for their fine abrasive quality, distinctive feedback, and ability to produce highly refined edges and finishes.

After a long interruption, new extraction has recently resumed at Nakayama. This stone is from that newly quarried material, which has been highly regarded for exhibiting material and sharpening characteristics remarkably consistent with Nakayama stones from the mine’s earlier period of operation.

A continuation of Kyoto’s centuries-old whetstone tradition — newly quarried from Nakayama, yet carrying the character that made the name renowned for generations.

Each stone is naturally formed and unique. The hardness, texture, color, and sharpening characteristics may vary from stone to stone, making every piece an individual whetstone.

Karasu (Crow Pattern) — A Unique Expression of Nature

Named after the Japanese word for “crow,” Karasu refers to the distinctive dark pattern occasionally seen in Japanese natural whetstones. Each pattern is naturally formed and entirely unique, giving every stone its own character and presence.

Beautiful Karasu stones are especially admired among natural whetstone enthusiasts — not simply as sharpening stones, but as individual pieces shaped by nature.

Carefully selected in Japan and suitable for sharpening and finishing high-quality Japanese knives.

Details
• Origin: Nakayama, Kato Mine, Kyoto, Japan
• Type: Natural Japanese finishing stone
• Weight: 730g
• Size: (approx) 160×64×25mm 
• Stone No.: [N-023]

Please note: This is a natural stone. Variations in color, texture, layers, and surface are natural characteristics and are not considered defects.

And the dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly across the stone. The shape is not perfectly uniform, with some areas being longer or shorter than others.

Natural Stone Base & Preparation

As this is a natural whetstone, the original dark outer skin on the underside has intentionally been left intact.

If the stone does not sit securely or rocks during use, lightly flatten only the necessary high points on the underside with a whetstone flattener or diamond plate until the stone sits stable. Alternatively, the stone may be mounted to a wooden base with a suitable adhesive for greater stability during sharpening.

We do not recommend completely removing the natural skin unless necessary. The remaining skin, geological features, and appearance of the stone can provide valuable clues when assessing its origin, geological layer, and individual character. They are also part of the identity of each natural stone.

For this reason, we recommend preserving as much of the original underside as possible and flattening only what is necessary for the stone to sit securely and safely during use.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.