Seven Seas "WRITER" A5 Journal Sanzen TRP 8th Edition

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Seven Seas "WRITER" A5 Journal Sanzen TRP 8th Edition

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Seven Seas
Seven Seas "WRITER" A5 Journal Sanzen TRP 8th Edition

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Tomoe River
Seven Seas "WRITER" A5 Journal Sanzen TRP 8th Edition

Price:

$28.00

Rating:

( 199 product reviews )

Shipping:

Calculated at checkout

Max Purchase:

12 unit(s)

This is the 8th edition Writer, with the Sanzen 52gsm cream Tomoe River paper. Please note that all review prior to 4/3/2025 are for earlier editions!

Thanks to its cult-like following, Tomoe River paper needs no introduction, so onward to the Seven Seas Writer!

We like to think of the Seven Seas Writer not as a great fountain pen notebook, but rather as a great notebook that just happens to be fountain-pen-friendly. Therefore, regardless of your chosen writing instrument, you will enjoy this notebook's substantial page count (480), pleasant heft, subtle printed lines, lay-flat capability and unassuming character.

The pages are "thread-bound", which is a very old and still the best production method of bookbinding. Thread-bound pages are sewn (with a special automated sewing machine) into signatures, which are gathered to form a text-block, which is then cased into a cover. This method allows the journal to lay flat with no stress to the spine, and for that reason it is the absolute best method for binding a book (including a library book) that sees the daily rigors of opening, closing and pressing down with the hands. It can even be folded back on itself. If you were to go on an around-the-world trip over the course of many months and needed to document your experiences in great detail, this journal would certainly be up to the task.

The paper size is A5 (148x210mm or 8.3x5.8 inches), and 15mm thick. The cover is made of impregnated cloth, stiffened through the use of a core board sandwiched between between it and the end sheets. You can use the book as-is, or put it inside a leather, cloth, paper, vinyl, fabric, etc. outer cover.

For more information, please read the Seven Seas Writer and Standard Notes and also the Seven Seas Tomoe River Journal Facts.

Tips:

The notebook will lay flatter if you bend it back on itself. Don't be afraid to do this - the binding is very strong. there is no way the pages can fall out by themselves.

If you use a fine-to-medium fountain pen, the ink will generally dry fast enough. If it doesn't, close the book on the included pink blotter sheet.

If you use a pencil, 2B and softer leads work well.

Pencil marks erase very cleanly from this paper. Use a high-quality plastic eraser.

If you find the book a bit thick for your writing style, please read this.

Recommended accessories:

Cheap Notebook Cover and Insert

MF Faux Leather A5 Notebook Cover with bookmark

Seven Seas + Gfeller Kip leather cover

Herz of Japan Italian leather covers

Super Clips and Mini Clips

Hard or soft writing mats - Order size A5; larger works well too

Blotter paper - Order size A5 (please note that the notebook already comes with one sheet)

Specifications:

Size A5, 210x148mm, 8.3x5.8 inches

Cream-color Tomoe River "Notebook" paper, 52gsm

480 pages (240 leaves) with rounded corners and 7mm lines

Lay-flat thread binding

Flexible, tough, thin water-resistant coated-fabric cover

Ivory-colored end sheets

Comes with one A5 blotter paper

Made in Japan

ABOUT MANUFACTURING VARIATION: We've found that Tomoe River paper, and thin paper in general, is unlike working with "regular" weight papers such as 20 lb bond, laid, wove, etc. papers (we have actually be unable to find any binders in the US that are willing to work with TR paper). Tomoe River paper is very sensitive to humidity, and when bound in a thick book by machine as ours are, some unexpected variations can occur. So far, we've experienced the following (also please see the pictures):

Rippled pages

A subtle "waviness" on the edge of the book block

Dog-eared pages (rare)

Except for a torn page, none of these issues affect the writing surface or quality of the writing experience, and it's not practical for us to go through each book page-by-page (these issues can be quite random). However, if for any reason you are not satisfied with the book you receive, please let us know (dave@nanamipaper.com) and we'll do our best to rectify the situation. Thank you for your understanding!

For more information and design goals, please read the Seven Seas Journal Fact Page.

If you'd like to compare this journal to the cost of other journals, please see our notebook value comparison table.

Did you know that Hemingway wrote with a pencil? We like to think that, had he known about the Seven Seas Writer, he would have used a fountain pen. Here's the full story.

Product Reviews

Previous | Showing reviews 151-160 of 199 | Next

Awesome Paper

Posted by Paul Hamilton on 14th Nov 2016

A very nice journal that takes any fountain pen ink that I can through at it. There are more pages in this journal than any other journal I have come across. I write a lot in my "daily journal" and have been disappointed in other journals that only last two to three months.

This is a great value.
A wonderful journal with one (tiny) flaw…

Posted by Peter Denton on 5th Nov 2016

A great notebook filled with what is, in my opinion, the finest paper in the world for fountain pen users. The cover seems durable and of an appropriate weight. I took one star off for a small flaw I noticed in the journals finish. The application of adhesive holding the back end paper to the cover does not quite reach all of the way to the top. Since this journal contains so many pages and thus will likely be in service for a long time before being filled, I have a small concern about such a flaw as it is not impossible to imagine it maybe having a small impact on durability over the long haul. My speculation to that effect is however just that - speculation. It may simply be a very minor aesthetic flaw that never amounts to anything. Certainly it would not have stopped me from purchasing this product.
Seven Seas Journal The Writer

Posted by Peter Aitken on 29th Oct 2016

I have used Tomoe River loose sheet paper before and am familiar with it's quality and fountain pen ink characteristics. However, I was totally unprepared for the outstanding quality of these journals; they are A1+, almost too beautiful to use.
The packaging, slip jacket and tactile feel of the cover and lined paper are superb as is the binding quality and semi-hard cover. Thank you
Absolutely the best

Posted by Tyler Brainerd on 3rd Sep 2016

There isn't a lot that I need to say that hasn't already been said, but just one more person throwing in his word that these are absolutely the best notebooks that I've ever used. Absolutely phenomenal response to all pens and inks that I have, a huge amount of pages in such a thin book, and easily this has changed my notebook purchasing habits for the future.
Decent paper at last!

Posted by Greg Chalk on 30th Aug 2016

First time user of Tomoe River paper, smoother than silk to the touch. I have two and half fountain pens, the half is somewhere in the house but lost for the moment. I have used just a few pages of this and it's like using a totally new upgraded pen. It's a real pleasure to use. For those who wonder at 52gsm paper being suitable for fountain pen then there may be some inks it can't cope with but I haven't got any. It may not due to its thinness be suitable for the harder pencils and for those who use a ballpoint may need a pad between sheets especially if they are used to pressing hard same applies to rollerball lovers.
Got something to write something like a journal or home made diary then this is for you. The version I bought was the lined version and the lines are sufficently spaced to ensure,you can use a broad nib, no necessity for EF nibs.
Ripping sheets out to use as a shopping list is not what this is for. The book case and cover are suitable for careful use, but not for chucking in a briefcase, suitcase or backpack. The paper will crinkle easily so be careful turning pages and likewise if you live in a humid country then it may suffer by developing waves that damp paper suffers from. Clearly this paper is glazed in the manufacturing process hy a hot roller spinning faster than the paper is being passed through. Then another hot roller does the other side as there is no textural difference either side.
Just As I'd Hoped

Posted by Allyson Scott on 25th Aug 2016

This notebook is my favourite of dozens I've tried over the years. The flexible cover is strong and offers good protection. The page count is exceptional, and the paper quality is exactly as everyone describes. The ghosting takes some getting used to if you have always used thicker papers, but once you do the page count and this paper's ability to showcase your inks will amaze you. The 7mm lines are perfect to handle nibs of varying sizes and allow for me to switch pens/inks as the mood suits me.
Top class Journal

Posted by Alex Mathews on 20th Jul 2016

It is a lot of money to pay for a journal, but then you get what you pay for in this case. The quality of the binding and smoothness of the paper has all been captured by the earlier reviews and I agree with the reviews below. An excellent product.
Heavenly

Posted by Robin on 1st Jul 2016

If you know the book at all you know the paper is heaven -- smooth, no feathering, no bleed through. It is addictive. I use mainly fountain pens and this paper does not absorb the ink, so the ink dries on top of the paper showing all of it's qualities like an off colour shine, or tint, or sparkle. I have some of those J. Herbin anniversary inks and they lay down beautifully.

BUT the binding is also something to be thankful for. Being able to bend it back is nothing to sneeze at. More than that, being able to bend it all the way back and not damage the spine is something I appreciate more and more.
Finally a Journal that makes me Smile!

Posted by Tom on 30th Jun 2016

I've tried lots of journals, but none have the quality feel of the Seven Seas. Wonderful product!
I've been ruined for any other notebooks,

Posted by Neil B on 28th Jun 2016

I've used Tomoe River Paper in other products and love it. That alone has ruined any chances of my volunteering to return to cheaper 'stock' paper.

However the Seven Seas "Writer" journal has ruined me for just about any other journaling notebook out there. It is an absolute dream to write in. I filled five pages within less than an hour of receiving it.

It took less than a week to arrive in St Kilda, Australia from the fulfillment center in California and the price is something to see in order to be believed.

Overall this is the kind of product that deserves all five stars.

Previous | Showing reviews 151-160 of 199 | Next

Product Videos

Seven Seas Writer Review (06:59)

Seven Seas Writer notebook made with the amazing Tomoe River Paper. A5: 8.3 x 5.8 inches; 14.8 x 21 cm 480 Pages of 52 gsm paper; 7mm ruling Made in Japan Available at: http://www.nanamipaper.com/categories/seven-seas-tomoe-river-paper.html INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/thejournaljoy/ Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the product nor do I receive any compensation for this review/ providing a link to the website.