Nakayama Kiita Karasu Nashiji Tomae Maruka

This large stone perfectly reflects all the advantages of Nakayama - small, but quite fast and smooth. He does not need a tome back or a diamond plate to start working. Nakayama Kiita Karasu Nashiji Tomae Maruka polishes quickly and leaves a very refined shine. Due to their large size, long blades are very easy to sharpen, just like any other tool.

This Nakayama whetstone has a yellowish base, nashiji dots all over the surface, and a very subtle karasu pattern that becomes more prominent when wet.

This stone boasts a shape perfect for razors and a thickness that will last for several centuries. The seal of Maruka ㋕正本山 is clearly visible because it is covered with lacquer and has not rubbed off over a long period of time. Kato-san, the last owner of the Nakayama mine, used this mark only on the highest quality Japanese sharpening stones. 

The Nakayama stone is famous for the Kato Mutsuyama Maruka mark with the letter "ka" and the Seihonzan seal ㋕正本山. Kato Mutsuyama was the first to carve such a seal. Non-standard dimensions, large size or rough stones did not originally have the Maruka mark. However, there are also quality products and non-standard whetstones that were later marked with the Maruka stamp during final processing at retail, as well as stones that were cut by the seller from raw stones without the ㋕正本山 stamp. Also, Nakayama grindstones sold prior to the stamping period do not bear the Maruka stamp.

In any case, if it is Kato Mutsuyama's stone from this mine, it will be the same Nakayama stone, regardless of whether it has the Maruka mark or not. The ㋕正本山 stamp itself may or may not be present depending on the distribution channel and does not guarantee quality. Not only Nakayama, but also other natural grinding stones, each one is different and no two are the same. In addition, many years have passed since the closure of the mine, so there are fewer and fewer good specimens on the market every year.

Due to their rarity and the power of the brand, there are many fakes, so we recommend that you do not trust the Maruka seal too much and evaluate the stone with your own eyes. 

The Kato Mine is located in the Nakayama Mountains where whetstones were mined and was so called because it was owned by Mr. Kato. Hatanaka Whetstone is a long-established stone shop in Kyoto. After the war, sales of Nakayama grinding stones quarried at Kato Utsuyama were managed by a group of five from a leading stone shop in Kyoto. Among them, Hatanaka Toishi is said to have been the most trusted by mountain owners for a time. in 1952 Hatanaka Toishi registered the brand Junshin Honzan (純空正本山) to distinguish himself from other retailers. After 1980 were the rights to the Nakayama mine were purchased by Hatanaka Whetstone and became the owners of the Maruka brand. At the same time, stones from this mine were also distributed through other retailers.

Nakayama (中山)

This Eastern mine is famous for its awasedo finishing stones, and is perhaps the most sought after among sharpening professionals and hobbyists. Compared to stones of similar hardness and fineness from other mines, Nakayama stones are known for a more pleasant sharpening sensation and high work speed. Multilayer stone (Hondomae, Shikitomae) and Kiita are especially valued.