Ohira Tomae High-Quality Natural Stone

This Ohira Tomae natural finishing stone comes from the historic Kyoto natural stone mining region located in the mountains northwest of Kyoto near the Umegahata area and Mount Atago. This area produced some of the most respected finishing stones in Japan and is part of the Kyoto western mine district (Nishimono), which also includes famous mines such as Nakayama and Shobudani. We source these stones directly from the Imanishi Stone Company, where each piece is personally evaluated and graded by Mr. Imanishi before receiving his stamp.

Ohira Tomae stones are sedimentary mudstones formed during the Cretaceous period as part of the Tamba geological formation. Over millions of years, extremely fine abrasive particles were compressed into dense layers that today produce some of the finest natural finishing stones available. These stones are prized for their excellent balance of cutting speed, feel, and the refined kasumi finish they leave on high-end kitchen knives and tools.

This example is a fine finishing stone with an approximate grit range in the 8–10K range. It has a firm, hard feel, cuts faster than many stones in its class, and leaves a clean, refined finish suitable for high-end kitchen knives. Mr. Imanishi graded this stone as High Quality. It was mined in the early 1970s and carefully stored in his basement until recently released. Stones like this are no longer being mined, making well-preserved examples increasingly difficult to obtain. We photograph and weigh each stone individually as it sells, so the stone shown is the exact one you will receive.

Care Instructions: This natural stone is very easy to care for and does not require sealing. Simply wet the surface before use and sharpen as normal. Allow the stone to air dry naturally when finished. Do not perma-soak the stone. Store the stone indoors in a temperature-controlled environment—never in an unheated garage or shed. If moisture inside the stone freezes, expansion can cause cracking or permanent damage.

Stone Type: Ohira Tomae Natural Finishing Stone

Region: Kyoto Natural Stone District (Nishimono), Japan

Approximate Grit Range: 8–10K

Grading: High Quality (Imanishi Stamp)

Size: 206mm × 75mm × 42.5mm

Weight: ~1.72 kg