A simple notebook that is optimized to make writing easy.
The “note” in “notebook” also means “to notice”.
Writing, diagrams and pictures are all ways that people immortalize the things they notice during their day-to-day life. And since a notebook is a common place for those observations, we wanted to make sure that our notebook would be kept close at hand.
The MD Notebook is designed for simplicity so that what’s on your mind can be put on paper easily.
The MD Notebook has no cover. Why? Because it is important to us that you can see the pleasing texture of the materials as soon as you pick it up, and imagine how comfortable writing will be. No bells and whistles; just the pleasure of writing. And of course ease of writing is important too. Behind this no-frills design are a multitude of optimizations.
Threaded binding is used for MD Notebook, with 16-page quires bound at the back with thread.
Threaded binding makes the pages both robust and easy to open. Usually used for items such as notebooks and journals that will be used for a long time, this binding’s ability to open to a full 180 degrees provides the ultimate comfort when writing, making writing a stress-free experience from start to finish.
Covers make a notebook more difficult to open, or cause wobbling. To stop these things from interfering with your writing comfort, the MD Notebook has no cover.
This gives the MD Notebook an iconic design where you can see the mesh on the spine, called super, that is hidden under the cover in other notebooks.
The exposed super spine bends easily, keeping the notebook open perfectly.
The MD Notebook comes in three designs: blank, lines and grid.
The blank type offers the ultimate freedom when putting your ideas on paper. You can even use the two-page spread as a single canvas when drawing.
The type with lines has a thick line at the center so that you can divide each page in half or divide a two-page spread into quarters. Use it for notes or a diary, or add dates and use it as a schedule.
The grid type has 5mm squares with gaps in between, like the old genko yoshi used for writing in Japan. Every 5 and 10 squares are marked, making it easy to count how many characters are written, and the lines of the grid are pale blue so that they will not interfere with your writing or sketches.
We’ve added a playful touch to the minimalist design of the MD Notebook.
Another iconic feature of the MD Notebook is the string attached to the spine. Each type of notebook now has its own color of string, with a white string in the cotton type and an orange string in the diary type. This adds a tasteful accent that can be glimpsed through the white spine and between the pages.
The MD Notebook is wrapped in paraffin paper in place of a cover.
It is designed to match the sizes of books, with the paraffin paper wrapped like the dust jacket of old books to add to the effect while also keeping the pages clean.
Use it to protect your MD Notebook or take it off and use your MD Notebook bare. You can even put it on one of your books for protection on the shelf. There are so many different things you can do with this versatile wrapping!
The MD Notebook is designed to match the sizes of books in Japan, with a range of four sizes: A6 (pocket edition size), B6 Slim (paperback size), A5 (hardback size) and A4 (magazine size). It’s just the right size to place next to your favorite books on your shelf!
It also comes with index tabs that coordinate perfectly with the coverless design and exposed super spine.
Some are printed with frequently used items such as “IDEA” or “DIARY”, while others are left blank so that you can add your own headings. They can also be stuck to the top to hold the string in place. The MD
The MD Notebook comes in two types of paper: MD Paper Cream and MD Paper Cotton.
For most of MD Pape’s history since it was first developed in the 1960s, MD Paper was only available in white. This paper was used in MIDORI’s Diaries, Daily Journal and Diamond Memo, and remains a long-standing favorite.
MD Paper Cream was launched in 2006. With a warmer color that is gentle on the eye, this paper is ideal for writing with a fountain pen. It also has the perfect balance between smoothness and a little resistance, ensuring comfort and making writing a pleasure.
MD Paper Cotton was developed in 2013, with cotton pulp used for 20% of the materials, giving it a soft, fuzzy texture. Cotton paper is also extremely durable and preservable, and has long enjoyed a reputation as high-quality paper in Europe, where it was used for important paperwork and official documents for centuries. Its fibers are longer and narrower than those of pulp, giving it a smooth, pleasing texture with a softness that feels like it is infused with air.
This cotton-soft white paper is ideal not only for classic fountain pens but for colored pencils too. This special version of MD Notebook is available only with blank pages, as a specialist art notebook.
