Nakayama Awasedo (Finishing Whetstone), ※Koppa (Compact) Size 342g from Kato Mine, Kyoto

Nakayama Awasedo, ※ Koppa (Compact) Size 342g, 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.

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

This compact-sized Nakayama Awasedo from the Kato Mine offers an accessible way to experience the character of this renowned Kyoto natural stone. Its compact size makes it more affordable than a full-sized whetstone while remaining highly practical for small blades, fine edge work, and final-stage sharpening. It is also an attractive size for collectors of Japanese natural whetstones.

One particularly recommended use is for applying a micro-bevel (Ito-ba) at the final stage of sharpening. A full-sized stone is not really necessary for this delicate edge work; this compact surface provides ample working area and allows precise control, producing a clean, refined micro-bevel with the distinctive finishing character of a Japanese natural whetstone.

Compact in size, yet fully capable of expressing the character of Nakayama Awasedo.

Details
• Origin: Nakayama, Kato Mine, Kyoto, Japan
• Type: Natural Japanese finishing stone
• Weight: 342g
• Size: (approx) 85×55×27mm 
• Stone No.: [N-016]

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.