The Natural Whetstone Museum was opened to the public on April 2017 as a hub to convey the appeal of the natural whetstone and the sharpening culture that has been the backbone of the traditional cultures of Japan like washoku (Japanese cuisine), traditional architectures and the katana (Japanese swords).
Aside from locally produced “shiage (finishing)” whetstones, precious whetstones produced from all over the country are also on display. In addition, the museum also serves as an attraction and experience corner where one can engage in a hands-on experience of the sharpening culture through the knife sharpening experience course, the shaving of katsuobushi (dried, fermented and smoked skipjack tuna) blocks and so on.
- World’s First Whetstone Museum!! It is a museum of whetstones which boasts over 250 million years of history.
- Kyoto has a deposit of high quality natural whetstones. These actual precious whetstones will be on display.
- The best way to understand whetstones is to use it!! Let’s personally experience, see and feel these whetstones!
