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 171-180 of 199 | Next

perfect notebook-best value for your money

Posted by Unknown on 22nd Mar 2016

I was on the hunt for the best notebook for my hard earned money. And I am positive that this is it. Even though I live in Canada and the shipping is higher. Nobody can argue that a notebook with a whopping 480 pages, that is this thin and is perfect with any writing instrument is not worth looking at. I am a fan of the Midori MD notebook but with only 176 pages, it takes 2.5 of them to equal the page count of this book.
Love this notebook!

Posted by Jon on 21st Mar 2016

I bought the Seven Seas Writer because the Crossfield was out of stock, but I can tell you that this notebook is amazing. The quality is beyond what I suspect many are accustomed to in a notebook. The Tomoe River paper is so smooth with whatever writing instrument you use. It is an absolute pleasure to write in. I am already planning to purchase more writers for logs that I will give to my wife and kids someday. I also plan to purchase a Crossfield which I will use as a catch-all bullet journal of sorts for daily use. Seriously, if you're on the fence about this notebook, just pull the trigger and get it. You won't regret it. The only reason I gave it four stars is because there aren't any ribbon bookmarks.
Best Journal I've had in 30 years!

Posted by Gill Winograd on 20th Mar 2016

I'm a FP collector and daily journal writer. I've had Clairfontaine, G. Lalo, Exacompta, lots of handmade papers and leather bounds, Midori A5 and Apica Premium CD A6 to name just the ones off the top of my head.

The Seven Seas Writer (ruled) and Tomoe River paper is the best by far. The Midori and Apica Premium CD products are very good but this is better. The paper is just a joy to write on. I've used Waterman, Aurora, Iroshizuku, and Diamine inks with Nakaya, Parker, Bexley, and Visconti pens so far with F, M, and stub nibs. Every combination looked good, felt good moving across the page, dried fast enough. There is see-through, but no bleed-through even when I deliberately put big blobs of ink down to test. No feathering either. The book lies quite flat which is a must with me. CF which had great bindings years ago has gone to inferior bindings that don't lie flat enough for me.

I wish the TR paper came with a 7.5mm rule option. I like a slightly wider rule which is the strongpoint of Clairfontaine (8mm) and Exacompta (10mm). But to have 480 pages in a journal that is roughly the same size and weight of ones holding only 200 pages is great. Paper "tooth", color, and opacity are personal choices. I like the TR best, but CF, Midori,and Apica are good papers too. I expect to reorder this journal and get a leather cover for it when I fill the one I have.
Best notebook I have ever used, but room for improvement :)

Posted by Raymond on 18th Mar 2016

I love this notebook. It's by far my favorite notebook that I have ever used. So I'll start off with the pros:
1) Tomoe River Paper - great for fountain pens
If you are worried about the show through: here's an idea of what it's like for me...very manageable
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww26/rayyxP/IMG_1104.jpg
2) Beautiful binding and finishing - very understated clean look
3) Tons of pages - good for taking notes for school :)
4) Lightweight and perfect size for me - I personally beleive that A5 is the best size for personal notebooks (but this is subjective). However you won't find a lighter notebook with a massive 480 pages.
5) Includes a useful blotting paper sheet (I don't use it much, but the thought is nice)

However, there are 2 things that prevent me from giving it 5 stars, if they could get fixed, they would definitely earn the 5 star rating.
1) I'm a little OCD, and I like things lining up perfectly. The printing of the lines do not line up and it drives me a bit crazy. Here is a pic showing what I mean:
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww26/rayyxP/IMG_1103.jpg
The lines are slightly mismatched from page to page. Not an issue if you buy the unlined version, but I like lined paper for taking notes.
2) I ordered 2 notebooks. One of them doesn't have this issue, but the one I am using now does. Some of the pages are "glued" together due to poor book binding. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww26/rayyxP/IMG_1102.jpg

Overall not deal breakers, but I would it if they were addressed. After I fill up my 2 notebooks, will definitely buy again.
Better than I had Imagined!

Posted by D.L. on 17th Mar 2016

I rarely, if ever, leave reviews... especially for products that have a lot of high praise such as the Seven Seas Writer. How much convincing does one need right? However, this is an exception to my norm. I just had to let Nanami Paper know how happy I am that I have now tried this notebook.

User's preference for their choice of writing tool of course, but it has taken everything I have thrown at it...rollerball, ball point, fountain pen, and pencil....even rubber stamps. I typically use fine tipped writers and have a few mediums. But, even the mediums had no bleed through or feathering. My sharpie on the other hand, did not fair so well with significant show-through on the reverse side.

This is a very thin and soft paper. My only recommendation for those considering this is to get a writing mat if you are worried about indentations on the following page.

I only wished I'd purchased sooner.. would've saved money on previous notebook purchases!

I'm very pleased and looking forward to my next order of Seven Seas notebooks.
Best notebook I've ever owned

Posted by Anna Nelson on 15th Mar 2016

Well, I can honestly say I am now addicted to these notebooks. All varieties, really, but the Writer especially because of the nice, large-ish lines. The paper is extremely smooth and delightful to write on (with fountain pens, gel pens, etc). Enjoyable writing experience. Also, love the cover and the way the notebook ages as you use it. :) Buy these. These are awesome!
The only notebook you will ever need

Posted by ElisabethP on 14th Mar 2016

This journal is by far the best one I have ever had. The paper reminds me of the paper in the Bible. It's so think and lovely, and the fact that it has so many pages is simply wonderful. No wonder this notebook is in such high demand! I ordered 2 (before the option of 3 came a long), and I know that this is the only type of notebook I will use from now on.

I might have gotten a factory 2nd though, because of some pages in the back being a little strange, but thats not important. If you wonder if this is the notebook for you, YES, YES IT IS.
like buttah

Posted by Erin on 12th Mar 2016

So smooth, so well bound, such good line spacing. There's not a bad thing to say (other than Dave having to work so hard to keep thing in stock!)
Love at first write

Posted by Judy on 12th Mar 2016

I'm not even halfway through my first notebook (2nd edition) but when I saw these were back in stock, I ordered a second even though I have many other blank notebooks ready for me to use. I absolutely love the way my pens and inks behave on the Tomoe River paper - even my wettest pen loves this paper. It is such a joy to write in.
Absolutely Incredible

Posted by Louis on 12th Mar 2016

I am speechless over the quality of the Seven Seas Writer. The paper performance is remarkable. The binding is sheer perfection. My fountain pens glide as if on air over this paper. I will NEVER find better quality product, presentation and speedy service anywhere else. I am now a forever loyal customer. Thank you Nanami!!!!

Previous | Showing reviews 171-180 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.