Japanese Natural Finishing Stone Nakayama Asagi for razors 119g from Kyoto

This is a small  Nakayama Asagi (中山 浅黄) finishing stone for straight razors — a highly interesting and prized variety of Japanese natural finishing stone (JNAT) from the famous Nakayama mine.

In Nakayama whetstone terminology, Asagi / 浅黄 refers to fine finishing stones displaying a characteristic cool color palette: gray-green, blue-gray, greenish-gray, and sometimes an almost pure gray tone.

Yamamoto / Nakakatsu Stamp

The reverse and sides of the stone bear a blue stamp:

梅ケ畑砥石 中勝 山本男系山主精選

It identifies the stone as an Umegahata whetstone associated with Nakakatsu and carefully selected by the Yamamoto family — the historic male lineage of mine owners.

Seller: Nakakatsu.

The presence of the 山本男系山主精選 stamp is particularly desirable. It indicates selection by the Yamamoto family, historically associated with the development of natural whetstone mines in the Umegahata area.

Sharpening Characteristics

The stone has an exceptionally fine and homogeneous abrasive structure, approximately equivalent to #10,000–12,000+, while remaining relatively fast for such a fine finishing stone.

Its slurry is extremely fine and easy to control, allowing precise and delicate refinement of the cutting edge without leaving it overly aggressive or coarse.

On soft iron, the stone produces an attractive Kasumi finish, while hard steel develops a noticeably brighter and cleaner polish.

This Nakayama Asagi is particularly well suited for the final honing of straight razors and traditional Japanese woodworking tools such as planes and chisels, where consistency, edge cleanliness, and precise control are essential.

It is also an excellent choice for premium kitchen knives, particularly carbon-steel blades, when an exceptionally sharp, clean, and finely refined cutting edge is required.

The stone provides a quiet, smooth, and comfortable sharpening experience and is particularly recommended for experienced users who appreciate precise control, consistency, and exceptional finishing quality.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 107x50x8 mm
• Weight: 119 g
• Hardness: Approximately 4.0
• Estimated Grit: #10,000–12,000+
• Mine: 中山 — Nakayama
• Color: Asagi / 浅黄
• Recommended for: Straight razors, Japanese planes, chisels, and premium kitchen knives

Historical Background

Nakayama (中山) is one of the most famous historic sources of Japanese natural finishing stones in Kyoto. Whetstone quarrying in this area has a history extending back many centuries.

Nakayama is located on the eastern side of the Mount Atago area and is traditionally associated with the celebrated Higashimono — the “Eastern” group of Umegahata whetstones.

Nakayama stones have been highly prized for generations for their exceptional finishing qualities and have historically been used for the fine polishing of Japanese blades and high-quality edged tools.

Today, Nakayama remains one of the most renowned and prestigious names in the world of Japanese natural finishing stones.