Hobonichi Notebook Yamazakura A5

The Hobonichi Yamazakura notebook in A5 format combines 288 pages of Tomoe River paper with robust thread binding – the same specification found in the Hobonichi Techo Cousin. The cover features a botanical illustration of the Yamazakura cherry tree, drawn by Dr. Tomitaro Makino, founder of modern Japanese botany. The drawing dates from 1900 and opens the first volume of his work "Flora Japonica" – a line drawing of extraordinary detail created with magnifying glasses, microscopes and brushes made from mouse hair.

Features

• Tomoe River paper, 52 g/m², acid-free: Despite its light weight, the paper offers high opacity – ghosting remains minimal and show-through is reliably prevented. The extremely smooth surface allows fountain pen nibs to glide effortlessly and brings out ink sheen, sheen effects and colour brilliance to their fullest.
• 288 pages with just 10 mm spine thickness: The light paper weight allows a page volume that would swell a conventional 80 g notebook to more than triple the thickness – yet it remains handy.
• Thread binding – lies flat: The notebook opens completely flat without pressure on the pages. Writing or drawing on both sides right up to the spine is no problem.
• 3.7 mm grid in four alternating colours: Every 72 pages the print colour changes – red, blue, green, violet. This divides the notebook visually into four equal sections, ideal for topics, projects or time periods without needing to insert dividers.
• Compatible with Hobonichi Techo Avec and A5 covers: The format matches the Hobonichi Cousin – the notebook fits into all designated covers, including pen holders and slip pockets.
• Long-term archival: Acid-free paper and stable thread binding ensure the notebook can be flipped through without issue even after decades.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pen: Tomoe River paper showcases the properties of fountain pen inks particularly well – shading, sheen and ink colour shifts emerge cleanly on the smooth surface. Both fine and broad nibs work well, as the paper doesn't absorb ink and stroke edges remain sharp.
• Ballpoint and pencil: The surface suits both. Pencil can be guided with precision on the smooth base, and ballpoint mine glides smoothly.
• Colour structure as an organisational tool: The four colour sections can serve as natural registers – for example for four subjects, four months, or work and personal – without needing to stick notes or tabs.
• Combination with the Hobonichi Techo Avec: The notebook can be inserted directly alongside the Avec in the same cover and works as a fixed companion notebook for drafts, sketches or longer notes that don't fit in the calendar.
• Lettering and calligraphy: The smoothness of Tomoe River paper allows clean, sharp lines with calligraphy nibs – both stub and flex nibs respond with precision without the ink fraying.
• Archival storage: Those who keep notebooks long-term benefit from the acid-free paper – no yellowing, no brittleness over the years.

For Paper Enthusiasts

Tomoe River paper in bound format behaves differently to loose sheets of the same weight: the binding keeps the paper flat and prevents the light waviness that can occur when writing freely on thinner grammages. The 52 g paper in the Hobonichi is additionally coated on both sides so it holds ink on the surface – the ink doesn't sink into the fibres but dries on the surface, which favours colour saturation and line definition. Those working with heavily sheening or shimmer inks will see considerably more effect on this paper than on more absorbent papers. The 3.7 mm grid pattern matches that of the Japanese Hobonichi Techo Original and is thus finer than the 5 mm grid found on standard ruled notebooks – tight enough for small handwriting, open enough for graphic work.

Technical Specifications