Natural stones glossary (Appearance)
Karasu
Must sought after is hard Karasu in Asagi stones Nakayama or Ozuku, they are super populer for razors. But it can also occur in softer stones also in Suita stones.
Karasu is rare and Expensive
Renge
Means lotus flower, which refers to the lotus flower-like pattern which is often pink to purplish color
and black. Renge is only found in Suita stratas.
Habutae
(rice cake) almost pure white stone very rare often is Shiro Suita
Nashiji
(Pear skin) Refers to the small whitish dots orange yellow or even black.
Nakayama Kiita Nashiji
Kan
Means Rings. occurs when different strata meats Some can be super beautiful like Nakayama Rainbow
Su (Suita)
(the holes) found in Suita, small holes that can increase speed
Kiita
Yellow stone is the most popular color of Nayayama stone very good stones for knives and pre. polisher for razors. Super hard Nakayama Kiita is extreme fine and super expensive ! They are used for Razors and for Ura on tools. Most sought after stone in Japan ! Color can vary from deap Orange to super light lime yellow. Lime yellow is most popular
Asagi
Comes in Dark and Light Gray or light blue color. Asagi is just reference of stone color. Nakayama Asagi is super popular for Razors along with Shoubudani and Ozuku they are some of the hardest Asagi stones ! Mizu Asagi refers to very light Gray they are ussualy much smoother stones
Goma (sesame)
Black spots on the stone that can be soft or hard, hard ones can scratch soft steel but with Nagura and for Honyaki it is very fast stones. But soft ones do not effect any sharpening ! Usually on Asagi stones but can occur in other stones as well
Momiji (Maple leaves like Range)
comes from the suita layer, Large Range
Su Nashi
Means suita without su (holes) Usually very hard stones
Uchigomori
This stone is used for cloudy finish for sword as finger stones or bench stone
Uchigomori come only from Ohira and Mizukihara mine, and not other ! If you hear That it is Nakayama or Shoubudani etc. Uchigomori it will be fake, as many try to fake this stone !
Those stones are only between 3000 and 5000 grit, not more. They are known for their super soft particles that will not scratch Tamahagane steel. They are not as fine as some think, Tamahagane is quite soft steel and it can not handle to fine polish, it will also get scratched when harder stones are used. Uchigumori are also very slow stones, they are not used for sharpening, as many think, they are only used for polishing and to bring contrast between hardened steel clouds and the hamon.
Must sought after is hard Karasu in Asagi stones Nakayama or Ozuku, they are super populer for razors. But it can also occur in softer stones also in Suita stones.
Karasu is rare and Expensive
Renge
Means lotus flower, which refers to the lotus flower-like pattern which is often pink to purplish color
and black. Renge is only found in Suita stratas.
Habutae
(rice cake) almost pure white stone very rare often is Shiro Suita
Nashiji
(Pear skin) Refers to the small whitish dots orange yellow or even black.
Nakayama Kiita Nashiji
Kan
Means Rings. occurs when different strata meats Some can be super beautiful like Nakayama Rainbow
Su (Suita)
(the holes) found in Suita, small holes that can increase speed
Yellow stone is the most popular color of Nayayama stone very good stones for knives and pre. polisher for razors. Super hard Nakayama Kiita is extreme fine and super expensive ! They are used for Razors and for Ura on tools. Most sought after stone in Japan ! Color can vary from deap Orange to super light lime yellow. Lime yellow is most popular
Asagi
Comes in Dark and Light Gray or light blue color. Asagi is just reference of stone color. Nakayama Asagi is super popular for Razors along with Shoubudani and Ozuku they are some of the hardest Asagi stones ! Mizu Asagi refers to very light Gray they are ussualy much smoother stones
Goma (sesame)
Black spots on the stone that can be soft or hard, hard ones can scratch soft steel but with Nagura and for Honyaki it is very fast stones. But soft ones do not effect any sharpening ! Usually on Asagi stones but can occur in other stones as well
Momiji (Maple leaves like Range)
comes from the suita layer, Large Range
Su Nashi
Means suita without su (holes) Usually very hard stones
Uchigomori
This stone is used for cloudy finish for sword as finger stones or bench stone
Uchigomori come only from Ohira and Mizukihara mine, and not other ! If you hear That it is Nakayama or Shoubudani etc. Uchigomori it will be fake, as many try to fake this stone !
Those stones are only between 3000 and 5000 grit, not more. They are known for their super soft particles that will not scratch Tamahagane steel. They are not as fine as some think, Tamahagane is quite soft steel and it can not handle to fine polish, it will also get scratched when harder stones are used. Uchigumori are also very slow stones, they are not used for sharpening, as many think, they are only used for polishing and to bring contrast between hardened steel clouds and the hamon.