Yamamoto Writing Paper Paper Tasting Egg Shell Vol. 4

The Paper Tasting Egg Shell Vol. 4 from Yamamoto Paper brings together three types of Japanese writing paper with a characteristic, finely textured egg shell surface – matt, with minimal grain that feels gently resistant under the nib while remaining pleasantly controllable. Each type comes as a small notepad with 25 sheets in a different standard size (B7, A6, B6), allowing you to compare the different paper characteristics directly. An information sheet in English and Japanese is included, explaining origin, weight and suitability for various writing instruments.

Features

• Three paper sizes in one set: B7, A6 and B6 – each size contains a different paper type. This lets you assess surface texture, ink flow and script appearance side by side without being locked into a single format.
• Egg shell texture: The surface is not smoothly calendered but has a fine, even texture – noticeable when writing, visible in light. Fountain pens with broad nibs or stub nibs show particularly beautiful pressure variation on this surface; fine nibs benefit from the light grip of the paper grain.
• Fountain pen-friendly paper: All Egg Shell types in the Yamamoto Paper Tasting range are fountain pen suitable – no bleed-through or feathering of ink at moderate ink flow.
• Information sheet with suitability overview: Symbols on the included info sheet indicate how well – very well, satisfactorily or less well – various writing instruments (fountain pens, gel pens, pencils, ballpoints) work on each paper.
• Reusable binder clip: The three notepads are held together by a sturdy metal clip that can be repurposed as a desk clip after opening.
• Made in Japan: Yamamoto Paper exclusively curates Japanese paper specialities, some from small or regionally significant paper mills.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens with medium to broad nibs: The egg shell texture comes into its own with a medium or broad nib – the slight roughness accentuates pressure variation and ink sheen. With very fine nibs, the texture remains more subtly perceptible.
• Ink comparison on the same base: If you test multiple inks in parallel, set out one pad of each size and write the same ink sample on all three papers – this makes drying time, shading and ghosting directly comparable.
• Hand lettering and calligraphy: The textured surface gives stub nibs and calligraphy nibs a gentle natural resistance that guides the stroke – similar to good drawing paper, but without the usual ink absorbency.
• Prefer quick-drying inks: If you work on the rougher surface with very wet inks, wait a moment before your hand passes over fresh writing – the ink dries somewhat more slowly than on high-gloss calendered paper.
• Collage and mixed media: The individual sheets are also suitable as a base for small watercolour washes, stamp inks or collages thanks to their texture and stability – a use that paper enthusiasts in the range regularly discover.

For Paper Enthusiasts

Yamamoto's paper tasting concept draws on the idea of wine tasting: three paper types within the same overarching category – here egg shell – are made directly experiential, not just read about. Egg shell papers are a Japanese book printing tradition: the light surface texture is created by special calendering or embossing and was originally developed for books where pages don't stick together and turn easily. For writing paper, this texture means the stroke "grips" differently than on coated paper – a tactile experience that's hard to describe but immediately felt. The included information sheet also explains in English and Japanese how paper weight is specified and calculated, and where the Japanese standard formats B7, A6 and B6 come from.

Technical Specifications