中でも、庵治石はキズなどがとても多い場所から採石されるため、採石したわずか3％ほどしか墓石として使用できないといわれています。そのことから、それらを見極める熟練された職人の「目」を必要とする、とても扱いの難しい石ということも、銘石としてのゆえんとなっています。

庵治石の産地として良質な素材が身近にあるからこそ、心がけてきたのは「良い石を、良い加工で」ということ。綿密な加工はもとより、素材の良さを生かした「磨き」にもとりわけ力を入れて製造してきました。今では限られた職人しか施工することが難しい、昔ながらの「砥石磨き」。この技法により、研磨時の表面へのダメージや建立後の経年劣化をやわらげ、更に耐候性の高い「庵治石のお墓」に仕上げることができます。銘石とはいえ、この工程を完璧に行ってこそ「庵治石のお墓」として成り立つと思っています。
 

島本石材では、信頼のおける高い技術を持ったベテランの職人が石材加工を行っています。加工と共に職人にとって最も大切な技術が、上質な庵治石を見極める能力。上質な素材としての庵治石を美しい「庵治石のお墓」に仕上げるには、熟練の職人の技術と目が必要です。それらを兼ね備えて初めて庵治の石職人と呼べると、私たちは考えています。

近年は、庵治石の持つ性質と美しさを生かしたプロダクト開発事業にも取りくんでいます。福岡県太宰府市の竈門神社にある石のスツールとベンチをはじめ、コーヒードリップスタンドやスパイスグラインダーなど、暮らしのなかで使っていただけるように形を変えたプロダクトも製作しています。
 

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Aji stone（hereinafter referred to as Ajiishi） is the highest-ranking granite in Japan used in monuments of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and in tombstones of Showa's leading film stars. Historically known as precious stone, they are characterized by their rigid durability as quartz, the high weather resistance of stone particles that are dense and impermeable to water, and the distinctive beauty of the fantastic "spots" that are polished and fantastic.
 
The place of production of Ajiishi is near the foot of Mt. Gokenzan, which extends over the town of Mure-cho and Aji-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.Established in 1919, Shimamoto Stone Industries Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Shimamoto Stone) manufactures and sells gravestones mainly made from domestically produced stones. The types of stones handled include Oshima stone, Oshima stone, Aoki stone, Mannari stone, and Kitaki stone, which are produced in Seto Inland. Since ancient times, many high-quality granite has been quarryed around the Seto Inland Sea and shipping has developed. This is used throughout the country, and it is still visible in the stone walls of Osaka Castle and other famous buildings throughout the country.
 
In particular, it is said that only about 3% of the stones are used as tombstones because the stones are quarryed from a very large area such as a scratch. Therefore, the stones that require the "eyes" of skilled artisans to identify them are very difficult to handle, and this is also the reason for being inspired.
 
It is precisely because of the close proximity of high-quality materials as a producing region of Ajiishi that we have been careful about "good stones are made through good processing."In addition to careful machining, we have focused on polishing that makes the most of the quality of our materials. Today, only a limited number of artisans are hard to work on, and the conventional grindstone polishing is difficult. This technique reduces damage to the surface during polishing and the aging deterioration after construction, and makes it a weather-resistant tomb. Although it is a precious stone, I believe that the perfect implementation of this process will be the "tomb of Ajiishi."
 
Shimamoto Stone manufactures stone materials by skilled artisans with reliable and high technology. The most important technology for craftsmen, along with processing, is the ability to identify high-quality Ajiishi. In order to finish the high-quality material of Ajiishi into a beautiful "tomb of Ajiishi," a skilled artisan needs the skill and eye of his craftspeople. We believe that this is the first stoneman to be able to combine them.
 
In recent years, we have been developing products that make the most of the properties and beauty of Ajiishi. We also produce stone stools and benches at the Kamado Shrine in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, coffee drip stands, spice grinders, and other products that can be used in daily life.