Embrace the beautiful Japanese philosophy of mottainai (expressing regret over waste and a desire to cherish resources) with the limited-edition TAKEO PAPER MOTTAINAI MEMO - Rock Surface (岩はだ / Iwahada). Curated by Tokyo’s historic paper house, this premium block notepad rescues rare, exquisite, and discontinued batches of TAKEO’s signature "Fine Papers" before they are recycled away, transforming surplus artisan inventory into a tactile sanctuary for your daily notes. A portion of the proceeds from this series is proudly donated to support global reforestation campaigns.
The Rock Surface (Iwahada) edition was originally released in 1991 and features a textured landscape inspired by the natural, rugged beauty of rock surfaces visible through the clear water at a riverbed. This sculptural, unbound cube features a compilation of 150 unlined sheets, giving you 50 sheets each of three legendary earthy and artisan variations:
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Sometsuke (そめつけ): A soft, calming indigo shade inspired by the exquisite blue underglaze of traditional dyed Japanese porcelainware.
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Hakuji (はくじ): A pristine, pure mineral white reminiscent of timeless, raw white porcelain.
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Bizen (びぜん): A warm, rustic, and heavily grounded clay tone named after historic Japanese Bizen ware unglazed pottery.
Sized at a compact, comfortable 90mm x 90mm, this unbound cube allows you to freely slide out any individual sheet for slow-journaling, quick calligraphy practice, stamping, ink swatching, or folding elegant flat-lay messages. Because it utilises finite mill runs, every block is a rare, numbered capsule of paper history that treats fountain pens, gel ink, and pencils with spectacular grace.
- 9 x 9 x 2.3 cm
- 150 sheets (50 sheets × 3 distinct paper types)
- Iwahada Sometsuke (Indigo), Iwahada Hakuji (White), Iwahada Bizen (Warm Clay)
- Made in Japan
【ABOUT THE BRAND】
Founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1899, TAKEO is a legendary paper house that has spent over a century expanding the cultural, technical, and tactile boundaries of paper. Widely recognised as the global pioneer of "Fine Paper" (ファインペーパー), the company focuses entirely on creating high-grade, specialized printing substrates that blend rich sensory elements like unique textures, custom colourways, and intricate patterns. Operating at the intersection of graphic design, traditional craftsmanship, and industrial technology, TAKEO treats paper not merely as a blank recording surface, but as a vital physical medium meant to stimulate human emotion and elevate artistic expression.
Through their dedicated stationery line, TAKEO PAPER PRODUCTS, the brand transforms raw mill artistry into luxury functional tools for the desk, specializing in ultra-premium notebooks, custom envelope packs, and structural folder systems. They are celebrated for revolutionary proprietary sheets like Pachica—a paper that turns beautifully translucent when heat-stamped—and Tant Select with its delicate linen textures. Highly favored by global designers, calligraphers, and bookmakers, TAKEO provides the ultimate fountain-pen-friendly canvas for those who appreciate the natural beauty and structural precision of elite Japanese paper craft.
