TSUKI no IRO: Blotting Paper

The TSUKI no IRO blotting paper is part of the Hobonichi stationery series of the same name, drawing inspiration from the 12 soft monthly colours of the Hobonichi Techo. Each of the 5 sheets features an original TSUKI no IRO motif: flowing lines that appear pen-drawn, along with drops and ink splatters. The special quality lies in the interplay of function and aesthetics – with each absorbed stroke of ink, a new colour layering pattern emerges, transforming the blotting paper into a unique, personal keepsake over time.

Features

• Graphics that evolve: The TSUKI no IRO design of free lines and ink drops develops a fresh appearance with each use – absorbed ink settles as a colour layer over the motif, creating unrepeatable patterns.
• Highly absorbent paper structure: Blotting paper is unsized, lightly compressed paper. Its loose fibre structure forms fine capillaries that instantly absorb fresh ink, preventing it from spreading or bleeding through to the opposite page.
• Sized to match Hobonichi Techo format: The 177 × 85 mm dimensions match the width of typical Hobonichi pages – the sheet lies flat inside the Techo to protect freshly written pages when closing the notebook.
• Slim and lightweight: The set of 5 sheets weighs just 20 g and measures 3 mm thick – barely noticeable in the Techo, perfect for travel.
• Made in Japan: Careful paper processing and crisp print quality for the fine line motif.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens with wet ink: If you write with generously flowing nibs or broad stub nibs – especially with water-based ink – place the blotting paper over the line after writing and gently dab. Don't rub, as this smudges the writing.
• Protection when closing the Techo: Placing a sheet between the last written page and the next blank page prevents ink transfers – particularly useful with wet inks or very thin paper.
• Calligraphy: When working with broad nibs or flex nibs, often more ink flows onto the paper than dries quickly. Blotting paper absorbs the excess from upstrokes and downstrokes without damaging the letterforms.
• Changing inks in your fountain pen: When cleaning or changing cartridges, simply dab the nib briefly on the blotting paper – it removes residual ink before you refill with a new colour.
• Keep them as decoration: The sheets transform with each use – if you don't discard them, you'll build a personal ink chronicle in the 12 TSUKI no IRO colours over time.

For Techo and Fountain Pen Enthusiasts

The Hobonichi Techo is renowned for its extremely thin Tomoe River paper, which causes ink to dry slowly. For many fountain pen users, blotting paper is therefore standard equipment with their Techo – especially when using inks with high colour saturation or shimmering properties that stay wet longer. The TSUKI no IRO blotting paper transforms this everyday tool into a design object: the lines and drops of the printed motif thematically correspond to what the paper does – collect and hold ink.

Technical Specifications