Michibiki – uncompromising synthetic stone from Kyoto

Tanaka Toishi (Kyoto, Japan)

Grit: 1000 grit
Content: White aluminum oxide
Weight: 1127 grams
Dimensions: 215 x 83 x 33 mm
Type: Soaking stone. Soak for 10–15 min before use.

Michibiki is a new, premium Japanese series developed by Tanaka Toishi, the same company that manages the mineral rights to the legendary Nakayama mine for natural stones. The series is made for knife enthusiasts seeking uncompromising performance; supreme cutting properties, precise feel, and a finish that approaches natural stone. Michibiki provides an unusually smooth, comprehensive, and hazy kasumi on laminated steel, which is rare among synthetic stones.

“These stones consists of the highest performing materials, and nothing is added to the stone that doesnt need to be there.”
Quote: Tanaka san, during our visit in Kyoto (September 2025)

By this, Tanaka means that the recipe is optimized for performance, not price. A high proportion of expensive abrasive grains and a carefully selected binder provide fast cutting, clear feedback, and minimal tendency to "glaze" over. The stone is expensive. The performance is absolute.

White or Green stone, which one should you choose?

• White (WA / White Alumina): All-round, controlled cutting, fantastic on stainless steel as the stone provides a clean, even surface and maintains its shape well.
• Green (GC / Green Silicon Carbide): More aggressive, bites hard even on tough steels and is known for fast cutting and a nice comprehensive kasumi during polishing.

Why?

• WA (white aluminum oxide) is often used in medium and finer grits because it cuts quickly but controllably and wears slowly – especially good on stainless steels.
• GC (green silicon carbide, often called "Green Carbon/GC") are harder and sharper grains that cut quickly, perfect when you want to remove material or enhance contrast in kasumi.

How they feel to use

• Soft but firm feel: Michibiki has a relatively high amount of abrasive grains and less binder, which provides fast cutting with a stable feel.
• Even scratch pattern: Scratches are quickly smoothed out between steps, and softer steels are left with a smooth, hazy kasumi (especially Green/GC).
• Soaking: 10–15 min before sharpening.
• Long-lasting & often larger format than many standard stones, providing a comfortable "platform" and stable angle control.

Recommended choices by need

• 320 grit
  Fast thinning and repair of chips. Choose Green GC 320 for maximum material removal or the white WA 320 if you are looking for a slightly "gentler" cutting action that is still very fast and holds its shape better.
• 1000 grit
  Basic sharpness in the kitchen, daily maintenance:
  - White WA 1000 for a clean, sharp base edge on stainless steel; Green GC 1000 when you want more "bite" and faster work on tougher steels. Green 1000 grit provides incredibly comprehensive kasumi, we at cleancut are completely amazed by the cutting power and the even kasumi this stone creates.
• 2000–3000 grit
  Polishing of edge and kasumi:
  - White WA 3000 for a clean, dense finish on the edge; Green GC 2000/3000 when you want to combine speed with hazy kasumi on laminated steel.