Aizu or Tajima?

[bearhippo]

Hey all. I'm certainly a knife nut but am more or less clueless about JNATs and have been looking to jump back in.

Does anyone have an approximate idea of what the stone below might be?

I originally thought this was an Aizu (as stated by the listing) but feel that it is actually a Tajima. (The pattern of Aizu and Tajima look very similar to me although the color of this particular example definitely leans more towards the pale-blue complexion of Tajima I've seen.)

I know that Tajima are also fine nakatoishi but figured I'd ask for the advice of more experienced stone enthusiasts before paying a chunk to have it shipped to the U.S.

 

[ethompson]

Thats an Aizu, not a Tajima. Aizu are more likely to have the pale blue coloring though they can also be chalky white leaning towards creamy yellow. The white feldspar dots and renge like black patterning are also clear tells. Tajima is always a grey color with blue / black dots - they usually have darker grey lines (color only) running through them, though not always.

More difficult to tell apart are Kasabori, Aizu, and Ikarashi. It can take good photos wet / dry to tell those apart. Very, very similar stones in most respects, especially given that Aizu can be fairly varied in appearance.

 

[refcast]

I also think it's more toward tajima but yeah it's a little more confusing in this case I agree. Tajima are less porous on the surface. Black tajima dots are more solid, Aizu black dots are fine and clumped together

 

[Hassanbensober]

Maybe this helps. Maybe not
Two different Aizu’s and Tajima on the far right and in hand.

 

[ethompson]

Here are 3 different Tajima from 3 different wholesalers. Exceedingly similar stone to stone, much more so than Aizu.

 

[DHunter86]

Looks like an Aizu, the smell should tell it apart. Aizus have this distinct smell. Hard to describe.

 

[Frosty]

Looks like an Aizu, the smell should tell it apart. Aizus have this distinct smell. Hard to describe.

Slightly sweet and fresh, like fresh laundry on a spring day, to me. I miss sniffing my Aizu

 

[bearhippo]

Thanks for the input y'all! I've been on the hunt for an Aizu for a while (although never acted on it) so I'm glad to have finally found one. That is... unless this one breaks in transit. Who knew that there were so many small intricacies with JNATs but the more you know

 

[refcast]

Aizu smell crisp, yeah like laundry detergent fragrance lol. Not quite like concrete or mortar. Kind of like pine resin?

 

[JustAnotherJoe]

Here are a few more reference photos on a tajima while we're at it. Dry and wet.
For what it's worth, which ain't much, it smells like wet clay. Just like if you were sitting in front of of potter's wheel.