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Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 175mm x 52mm 54mm
Weight: 1031g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, leave slightly deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones. 

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 205mm x 57mm x 55mm
Weight: 1430g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, have deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones.  

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: "Aoto" means "blue stone", thus the blue foundation. Finer examples can be a true solid blue, while some can have subtle hints of purple or green, while softer examples will have more red/brown tones.
Size: 201mm x 57mm x58mm
Weight: 1528g

Recommended Usage: Mid polishing sequence, frosty Kasumi, mid sharpening for push-cut tools, keener edge with a little bite

Notes: This is finer and harder vs. its softer, coarser and generally slightly reder Aoto brother. While finer variants will typically be marginally slower cutting, they will have shallower scratches, last longer, provide brighter Kasumi, as well as be better for push cut tools. So this option will be more ideal for mid work.

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested. 

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所.
Producing Area:  Kyoto/ Japan
Mine: Kouzaki
Appearance: Certainly a base of blue, hence the name "Ao"-to, "blue" stone. These softer versions tend to have a tint of red/brown to them, a decent indication of their softness level.
Size: 175mm x 52mm 54mm
Weight: 1031g
Grit Range: ~2000

1-5 Scale: 1 = Less, 5 = More

Hardness Level: 2
Scratch Depth: 4
Speed: 4
Wear Rate: 3.5
Self Slurry: 4.5
Thirst: 3
Consistency: 5
Feedback: 4
Ease of Use: 4

Recommended Usage: Early/mid polishing sequence, hazy Kasumi, textured edges with solid bite.

Notes: This is slightly coarser and softer vs. its finer and harder Aoto sibling. These softer versions will be faster cutting, create more slurry, have deeper scratches, create darker/hazier Kasumi, and would be used earlier in a polishing progression. Softer stones tend to be easier to use as they are more "forgiving" than harder stones, thus easier to learn on. These are "true" Aoto of quality, consistency, and provenance. Given their price they are an awesome way to get involved with natural stones.  

Disclaimer: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance, weights and measures, and qualities. Stamps may be different or not present, especially if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 225mm x 86mm x 44mm
Weight: 1615g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested.

Brand: Tanaka Toishi 田中砥石工業所
Dimensions: 220mm x 82mm x 45mm
Weight: 1573g

Notes: Really nice specimen from the famous Mikawa mine in Aichi Prefecture via the famous Tanaka Toishi brand. They are firm to hard, and quality specimens are fast and give good polishing results. Generally easy to use depending on the hardness.

Suggested Use: pre or final polisher for knives and push-cut tools.

Background Info: Nagura is made of lithified tuff, which is silica-rich stratified volcanic ash that has been compacted into a solid over many, many years. They contain very fine particles of silica (and other  which are often more friable than other sedimentary stones, and thus are ideal for polishing. They are used as one of the last stones before Uchigumori in a traditional sword polishing sequence. The word "Nagura" is the named after the individual who discovered the utility of the lithified tuff as a whetstone, Sakon Nagura, over 700 years ago.

Please Note: Given the natural aspect of these stones, all subjective qualities are our estimates and may vary slightly from your exact expectations and assessment. The images shown and characteristics described may be from a previous example. If purchased, yours may differ slightly in appearance and qualities. Dimensions, weight, and stamps may be different from listed if it has been tested.