Kobeha iiro Shinsho Violet Ruled Notebook
The Kobeha iiro Shinsho Violet Ruled Notebook belongs to the Japanese iiro series, an editorial project that explores colour as a central design element. Unlike notebooks where colour is limited to the cover, iiro develops a coherent chromatic palette that extends throughout the entire object, from the exterior to the interior, creating a refined and balanced writing experience.
The iiro series and the concept of colour
The iiro series is made possible by the unique capabilities of the Japanese printing house behind it, which specialises in short print runs and a wide variety of colours. The tones are selected from the DIC Color Guide, a professional colour reference widely used in Japan, in collaboration with DIC Color Design. Each colour is conceived as a visual story, developed by professional colour planners and expressed through a restrained, functional design.
Colour 40 Violet · Limited edition
Colour 40 Violet is a slightly bluish purple, historically regarded as a noble colour due to the rarity of its pigments. In this limited edition, violet brings depth and character without being overpowering, evoking a refined aesthetic associated with the early years of the Heisei era. The striped cover design subtly echoes the interior ruling, maintaining a discreet and elegant visual coherence.
Shinsho format: compact, refined and functional
The Shinsho-ban format (新書判), measuring 173 × 105 mm, is a classic Japanese publishing size traditionally used for pocket books and essays. It is considered the quintessential elongated pocket format in Japan and is also the standard size for individual manga volumes, which explains its excellent balance and comfortable feel in the hand. With a proportion of approximately 1:1.6, it feels particularly refined and well suited to continuous writing.
Shinsho is often confused with the Bunko format (文庫判), commonly used for inexpensive paperback novels. While both share the same width, Bunko is noticeably shorter. In Western stationery retail, formats of this size are frequently described as A6 Slim—a practical but non-standard term used to help customers identify notebooks that do not fit neatly into ISO paper sizes. In this case, the correct and precise designation remains Shinsho, with A6 Slim serving only as an approximate point of reference.
With a thickness of just 5 mm, this format is lightweight, easy to carry and slips effortlessly into bags or backpacks, making it ideal for everyday use without sacrificing writing comfort.
Paper and writing experience
The interior pages are made from carefully selected high-quality paper chosen for its excellent performance with pens and fountain pens. The paper is designed to minimise ink bleed-through, offering a clean and pleasant writing experience. The horizontal ruling is subtle and colour-coordinated with the cover, ensuring it supports the writing without dominating the page.
PUR binding and finishing
Instead of conventional binding glue, iiro notebooks use PUR binding (polyurethane resin). This adhesive penetrates the paper fibres, providing a strong yet flexible bond with a very thin application layer. The result is a notebook that opens smoothly, maintains a clean spine and offers enhanced durability. Rounded corners further improve comfort during daily use.
Exterior design and practical details
The cover is made from matte PP, resistant to stains and splashes, with a soft and comfortable texture. The specification label on the back is easily removable, allowing the notebook to be left completely clean and minimal according to personal preference. Every detail is designed to support everyday usability without visual distractions.
Technical specifications
- Format: Shinsho (173 × 105 x7 mm)
- Pages: 96
- Ruling: horizontal
- Colour: 40 Violet (Vivid Color Collection)
- Edition: limited
- Cover: matte PP
- Binding: PUR with rounded corners (7R)
- Paper: high quality, suitable for fountain pens
- Design: Jin Sugawara (Jin Atelier Co., Ltd.)
- Made in Japan
Project background and philosophy
Kobeha develops Japanese editorial projects where design, functionality and everyday usability are carefully balanced. The iiro series clearly reflects this philosophy: notebooks conceived not merely as writing surfaces, but as daily objects in which colour, material and structure interact in a coherent and meaningful way.
"Colour also writes: it accompanies, suggests and gives rhythm to ideas."
