Tsubame Notebook lined (A4)

The Tsubame Notebook A5002 is a Japanese writing notebook with a long history: the cover design has remained virtually unchanged since its founding in 1947 – subtly speckled grey cardboard cover, black cloth ribbon along the spine, gold-embossed swallow logo. Inside is the so-called Foolscap paper, a paper traditionally used in Japan for demanding writing that is neither too smooth nor too rough, and works exceptionally well with ink. A4+ format, ruled with 7 mm line spacing, 40 sheets – thread-bound and lies completely flat when opened.

Features

• Foolscap paper, acid-free and archival quality: The cream-coloured paper absorbs water-based ink cleanly – fountain pen ink does not bleed, shows minimal feathering and does not show through. The paper is acid-free, which means inks remain colour-stable over many years.
• Ruled with 7 mm line spacing, 34 lines per page: The line spacing allows even broader nibs enough room without making the page look unstructured.
• Lines printed with water-based ink: The lines are printed with water-based ink and contain no fluorescent dyes – they appear soft and easy on the eye without dominating the writing.
• Thread-bound, lies completely flat: The thread binding makes the notebook robust and durable; it opens completely flat, which is particularly pleasant for continuous text and when writing across the spine.
• A4+ format (30.5 × 21 cm): The notebook is slightly taller than DIN A4, a typical feature of Japanese university notebooks of this type.
• Classic retro cover: Grey cardboard cover with black cloth ribbon and a paper label that runs across the spine – a characteristic detail of Japanese writing notebooks.
• Good Design Long Life Design Award 2012: Recognised for product design that has proven itself over decades with minimal change.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens of all sizes: The paper works harmoniously with fine to broad nibs as well as stub nibs. Inks flow evenly, the writing remains sharp and clearly defined. Aqueous inks with high colour depth are particularly striking.
• Calligraphy and Japanese script: The 7 mm ruling and responsive paper make the notebook suitable for Shodo practice with a fountain pen or for Latin calligraphy with a stub nib.
• Daily notes and study: The generous A4+ format provides space for structured notes, outlines and sketches in the margins. The calm appearance of the cover invites concentrated work.
• Archiving and long-term use: Thanks to acid-free paper and thread binding, the notebook is ideal for records that should be preserved permanently – correspondence drafts, diaries, project documentation.
• Pay attention to ink flow: Since the paper is uncoated, very wet fountain pens or freely flowing inks may require longer drying times. However, there is no show-through on the reverse side.

For Paper Enthusiasts

Tsubame paper belongs to the category of uncoated Foolscap papers that are known in Japan for their balanced surface structure: neither too closed (like calendered paper) nor too open (like sketch paper). The surface offers enough microtexture so that the nib feels minimal, pleasant resistance – a feeling that fountain pen users often appreciate as "feedback". The paper is produced exclusively under controlled water temperatures in spring and autumn, which ensures consistent quality of the paper structure. The ruling is done exclusively with water-based ink, so even wet inks do not react with the printed lines.

Technical Specifications