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 11-20 of 199 | Next

Still Great!

Posted by vix on 24th Jul 2022

Okay -- this paper is not TRP, but it is a *good* paper. The feel is not as smooth or luxurious, but it handles inks (pen and stamp) well and the crinkle is still there(!).

It's thinner than Stalogy and Moleskine, although line visibility is similar to the Stalogy. If you don't like the "toothiness" of it (it certainly is toothy compared to TRP), writing with the blotter page under my sheet works for me.

I was worried that I wouldn't feel as excited to write in it, but that's not the case at all.
Simply the best

Posted by John on 9th Jul 2022

Great notebook for fountain pen users! Fair prices and even better service. Thank you.
New TR Paper is Very Good but not the Best

Posted by DrDebG on 4th Jun 2022

I agree with your assessment of the New TR paper, but made a couple of other observations.

I did a side by side comparison of the New with the Old. I used a variety of nib sizes and a variety of inks (except shimmer inks which I rarely use). Most of my fountain pens are wider nibs. But for the purposes of this test, I also used a fine and extra fine nib.

I did notice the change in the feel of the New paper, the lack of crisp line definition, and that some inks do appear darker, as you mentioned. But other things that I noticed that others might not have:
1) the New paper gives off an odor that is quite unpleasant. I got a migraine from it just from writing one page. Likely after airing out it will be fine. So, I unwrapped both notebooks and spread them out to air out.
2) Due to osteoarthritis, I write with a very light hand and I really don't care for much feedback, toothiness, paper coatings that add a "draggy" feel , etc. Writing on this kind of paper can become painful quickly. What I found with the fine and extra fine nibs, regardless of the ink used, is that there is much more feedback with the "New" paper than the old, even with my light hand. And even with my very wet, very smooth, extra fine tanto nib filled with Sailor Manyo Sumire, there was still a fair amount of feedback. I did not notice it as much with wider nibs.
3). While I found the shading to be almost the same, I noticed that inks do not sheen as much on the "New" paper.
With all of this said, the New TR is still a great paper and I would gladly continue using it if it was going to be produced in the future. But now we are all looking forward to the Sanzen TR paper, which I too am eager to try out.
It’s..ok.

Posted by Atilio Escobar on 3rd Feb 2022

I was under the impression that this 52gsm ‘new formula’ would be similar to the older TR paper, but it is FAR from that. Thinking that is was, I went on a shopping spree buying many. (10)
It’s hard for me to agree that they would keep the same ‘Writer’ name on the notebook. Like the new Tomoe River, ‘Successor’ coming out. It’s a new paper so I feel the name should change as well.
As for the paper.
So much more ‘grainy’ than the original. Outer lines on my words look rough/jagged compared to the crispness of the OG 52gsm paper. The 68gsm, ‘MicroDot’ notebook that I’m almost finished writing in, =[ has smoother paper than this new formula.
This paper feel somewhat like Leuchtturm 1917 paper. Which isn’t bad thing.
I just don’t feel like this is actual Tomoe River paper. Not in my eyes anyway.
I recommend you check it out, but just go into it as trying a new paper. Just don’t think OG TR 52gsm.
Nanami, I recommend checking out Cosmo Air Light, and making some notebooks with that amazing paper. I hope I wasn’t too harsh. Just missing the ‘old days’.
I’d give this paper a 3 out of 5 stars.
Hope u all have a great new year and happy writing!
Peace, ~40~
new tomoe ...

Posted by Mike Hodgson on 26th Jan 2022

Well, I think it's still my favorite journal but, I can't use some inks like I could with the old Tomoe.... I will say that they're the intense Noodler's like 54th Massachusetts and General of the Armies. It just depends, definitely not as luxurious. I still get great performance with your normal ink though and I still love it
Nanami 7 Seas Writer A5

Posted by Molly on 17th Jan 2022

Enjoying my recently purchased 7 Seas Writer A5. Thought I would be disappointed in the new TRP, but not so. Cream paper instead of dot grid, but I'm not complaining. Keeping a diary is all I want to do, while doing a bit of stamping. Adding washi tape as well.
Improved Tomoe River Notebook

Posted by patagoniac57 on 6th Jan 2022

The first Writer notebook I bought had the faint ruled lines. I am glad that they improved the 7th edition to make the lines much easier to see. Otherwise the notebook is the same. Each notebook comes in a separate thick cardboard outer box and a thin cardboard outer sleeve. This ensures that the notebooks won't be damaged in shipping. Highly recommended. The binding is fantastic, and is much more lie flat than any other notebook I have had.
best notebook for size & quality —

Posted by an anonymous writer on 26th Aug 2021

After using a Midori MD Notebook (A5) for a year, I'm glad I've found this Nanami Seven Seas Writer (A5). It's the same thickness as the Midori, but far more pages. Even though the pages are thinner, the pages take fountain pen quite well. The spacing between the lines is comparable to an American college-ruled sheet. The package shipped swiftly and safely, without any damage. Highly recommend.
Fantastic

Posted by Hannah on 26th Aug 2021

I really love this journal! It's surprisingly thin thanks to the TR paper, giving me lots of pages to write on without a lot of bulk. The binding is sturdy and also looks very nice.
Favorite Notebooks!

Posted by Sydney on 20th Aug 2021

I’ve been using these for years and they’re so far and away my favorite! I never want to use any others! The lines are subtle enough not to detract from your writing but visible enough they’re easy to use.

Previous | Showing reviews 11-20 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.