Natsuya Tomo Nagura

Classification

Type: Japanese Natural Whetstone (Tennen Toishi) / Slurry Stone (Nagura).
Origin / Mine: Natsuya (夏屋砥 — Natsuya-to), historically quarried in Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan.
Grit Range: Medium-coarse to mid-grit Nakato. Comparable to approximately #800 – #1,500 grit synthetic depending on slurry breakdown and pressure).
Stamps: The main face features the handwritten-style calligraphy stamp 夏屋砥 (Natsuya-to), and the end face bears an oval inspection stamp 響 (Hibiki).

Description & Evaluation

Physical Specs: Approx. 46 mm × 32 mm × 25 mm, weighing 80 g.
Form & Condition: Uniform rectangular cut with cleanly beveled edges; pristine New Old Stock (NOS) condition. No structural fractures or toxic inclusions.
Visual Profile: Classic warm terracotta/ochre base color with subtle lighter grain mottling and uniform porosity typical of Iwate dacite stone.
Performance / Usage: Primarily utilized to raise fast-cutting slurry on medium-grit benchstones, dress/deglaze stone surfaces..