Hobonichi Notebook blank A5

The Hobonichi blank notebook in A5 format is fully equipped with Tomoe River paper – 288 pages, 52 g/m², blank. The thread binding lies flat on the table without resistance, even when both sides of a sheet are written on. Those familiar with Tomoe River know: the combination of extreme thinness and surprisingly high opacity is the real feat of this paper.

Features

• Tomoe River paper, 52 g/m², blank: Despite the low basis weight, ink and pigments barely show through. This makes two-sided writing possible without distracting ghosting on the reverse – a clear advantage with 288 pages in just 10 mm thickness.
• Lies flat thanks to thread binding: The thread binding keeps the book stably open even after repeated use – no spring-back, no warping. Both sides are equally usable, even right up to the spine area.
• Blank pages: No lines, no grid dots – the page is completely open for sketches, layouts, freehand writing, calligraphy practice or small-format watercolour studies.
• A5 format, Techo cover compatible: The notebook has the same dimensions as the Hobonichi Techo A5 and fits into any A5 Techo cover. Works well combined with the Hobonichi Techo Avec.
• Acid-free paper: Archive-suitable – paper and ink remain stable for decades without yellowing or becoming brittle.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pen and ink: Tomoe River paper responds to water-based inks with pronounced shading and sheening – particularly with fine to medium nibs. Fine nibs produce sharp lines, broad nibs show colour gradients especially clearly. Ink takes slightly longer to dry than on coated papers; left-handed writers should account for this.
• Pencil and ballpoint: Both glide smoothly on the smooth surface. Pencil erases well without damaging the paper texture.
• Calligraphy: The smooth, slightly cool surface guides the nib evenly. Parallel nibs and broad nibs produce clean edges. For calligraphy with white fountain pen ink, Tomoe River is less suitable – the very smooth surface sometimes takes opaque inks unevenly.
• Bullet journalling and layout planning: The blank pages are ideal for hand-drawn grids, spreads and monthly overviews. The flat opening makes working across the spine easier.
• As a complementary notebook in a Techo cover: In the same cover as a Hobonichi Techo A5 or Avec, this blank notebook can be carried as a separate sketchbook or ideas journal.

For Tomoe River Enthusiasts

The Tomoe River paper used here is acid-free and lignin-free – it won't yellow and remains permanently flexible. For 52 g/m² paper, the opacity is unusually high; this is the result of a specific fibre composition and calendering that makes the paper dense despite its low weight. Those testing inks with strong sheen – such as violet or green tones – will see more pronounced effects on Tomoe River than on most other thin papers. Drying time is the most important parameter to get used to: depending on the ink and nib, between 15 and 45 seconds, which barely matters for slow writers but should be considered when changing pages quickly.

Technical Specifications