Tsushima Natural Whetsone

Natural stone from Tsushima.

Tsushima Black stones are a type of whetstone that hail from the island of Tsushima, which is part of the Nagasaki prefecture and lies in the Tsushima Strait.

These stones are quarried in an underwater mine on the coast of Tsushima.

Typically used as a Nagura on both natural and synthetic whetstones, Tsushima Black stones are known for their density and are especially suited to treating harder stones. 

While these are traditionally used as Nagura stones, the Tsuchime Black is prized in the sharpening community for the nice toothy edge it leaves on your knives/tools. 

The stone has only one exposed side, the others being sealed in a Chestnut lacquer, to ensure the integrity of the stone and to help keep the working side flat. 

These stones should never be soaked - just wet before and during use and make sure to completely dry before storing.