After some use and research- I believe this to be Awesedo (finishing stone) Possibly Ohira/Suita. I have come to this conclusion due to the tiny holes left from escaping gas. It doesn’t self slurry so will need a Nagura. I have found a slight worm Atoma 140 to be satisfactory. This would be a good base stone along with a selection of Nagura. With some slurry management a beautiful Kasumi can be achieved. For sharpening kitchen knives then maybe this is possibly a little hard unless you are firmly down the JNAT rabbit hole. Don’t get me wrong of you have gone that far along the stone progression this will give you a razor type edge but be sure you have done your time at the whetstone workstation before. The price as far as my limited knowledge will allow seams extremely fair. Please take this review and continue your own research. My points are based solely on my own use of the stone and research.