Same for me and the chisels and saws. Each of the chisels I bought in Japan have a light score line across the top side of the chisel about a 1/2" from the edge. I always wondered if this indicated anything. Any ideas.
Up until about a year ago, I used only Japanese saws. I found one dovetail saw that seems to work better for me than it's Japanese relative. The Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw. I cut equally as well with both saws but for some reason the Japanese saw's straight handle hurts my wrist when I'm cutting dovetails.
I bought a Japanese laminated marking knife which I wonder if that is the same as the kogatana or kiridashi?? It is about 6" long, a little over 1/8" thick, about 1" wide, and the cutting end a point which is in line with one of the edges (not centered on the knife).
I, too, have some of the Japanese water stones. None of them are the natural stone but I've always loved the way they sharpen quickly. Wish I'd had someone guide me a little at first, so I wouldn't have had to grind so much material from my old chisels. Wow they seemed to dish quickly. Now I know what to expect and how to use them better.