I'm currently using two sharpening systems. The first is the one detailed on the Tools for Working Wood website: hollow grinding (if needed) followed by a medium india stone followed by a fine arkansas followed by stropping. The second is the one that George recommends using the black/white Spyderco ceramic stones. Both work well for me. I use the same freehand technique on all the stones and get good results, so I don't want to change my sharpening setup.
I'm also interested in giving Japanese chisels a try. However, since the chisels were made to be sharpened with waterstones, I'm concerned that my current stones won't be very effective on the harder steel in the chisels. Hollow grinding doesn't seem to be recommended for Japanese chisels, and I'm concerned that sharpening the wide bevel of the chisels would take too much time.
Does anyone have any information about sharpening Japanese chisels using oil or ceramic stones? I think I'd go with white steel chisels if I decide to make the purchase, because blue steel would be harder still to sharpen.
Thanks!