It is often said, when buying a natural hone in Japan, your best tool is a trusted seller. Sometimes, even that is not enough.

I was recently given a lovely gift, a beautiful Kiita^? hone. The giver told me that he had got it from an old supplier of professional tools, including barber's tools, and that this stone had been in his storehouse for decades. It was especially for razors, so he thought it would be a good present for me.