{"product_id":"oohira","title":"Ohira Uchigumori (Finishing Whetstone), Karasu (Crow Pattern), 871g from Ohira Mine, Kyoto","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOhira Uchigumori-Karasu (Crow Pattern), 871g, Japanese Sword Polishing Stone, Ohira Mine, Kyoto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"285\" data-end=\"531\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"90\" data-end=\"104\"\u003eUchigumori\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the essential natural stones used in the traditional polishing of Japanese swords. Rather than simply sharpening an edge, it is used during the finishing process to refine the blade surface to gradually reveal the \u003cstrong data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"644\"\u003ejigane — the natural grain and texture of the forged steel — as well as the hamon (temper line). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"285\" data-end=\"531\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis piece was freshly cut directly from a larger block of Ohira Uchigumori rough stone. Rather than being an old-stock stone of uncertain origin, its provenance can be traced directly to the original material from which it was cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKarasu (Crow Pattern) — A Unique Expression of Nature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed after the Japanese word for “crow,” \u003cem\u003eKarasu\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautiful Karasu stones are especially admired among natural whetstone enthusiasts — not simply as polishing stones, but as individual pieces shaped by nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen shows a particularly attractive and clearly visible Karasu pattern across its working surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Origin: Ohira, Kyoto, Japan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Type: Uchigumori natural Japanese finishing stone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Weight: 871g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Size: (approx) 175×65×30mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This is a natural stone. Variations in color, texture, layers, and surface are natural characteristics and are not considered defects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Stone Base \u0026amp; Preparation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf the stone does not sit securely or rocks during use, lightly flatten only the necessary high points on the underside with a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhetstone flattener or diamond plate\u003c\/span\u003e until the stone sits stable. \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAlternatively, the stone may be mounted to a wooden base with a suitable adhesive for greater stability during sharpening.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eorigin, geological layer, and individual character\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. They are also part of the identity of each natural stone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor this reason, we recommend preserving as much of the original underside as possible and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eflattening only what is necessary for the stone to sit securely and safely during use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50543120744634,"sku":null,"price":2307.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/6750\/4826\/files\/E2760700-06A3-4CCA-ABD7-39D9FBF9FFA4.jpg?v=1790523166","url":"https:\/\/yamani-shodoshima.com\/products\/oohira","provider":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}