Nagasawa Kobe Font × Graphilo A5 Plain Notebook

Nagasawa Kobe Font × Graphilo A5 Plain Notebook

The Nagasawa Kobe Font × Graphilo A5 Plain Notebook represents an interesting evolution within the collaboration between Nagasawa Bungu Center and Graphilo. Retaining the exceptional Japanese paper that has made Graphilo a reference among fountain pen users, this edition replaces the familiar colour-swatch cover design with a typographic concept inspired by the colours of Kobe INK Monogatari.

Released on 7 March 2026, this notebook features completely plain pages that provide maximum freedom for writing, drawing, sketching, calligraphy, diagrams or ink testing. At the same time, its cover transforms colour and handwriting into elements of graphic design, creating a unique addition to the Graphilo notebook family.

Kobe Font: design, writing and social inclusion

The most distinctive feature of this notebook is its cover, created using Kobe Font. Rather than being a conventional commercial typeface, Kobe Font is a social design project developed in the city of Kobe through collaboration between people with disabilities who live or work in the city, professional designers and design students.

Based on drawings, handwritten characters, letters and illustrations created by the participants, a collection of graphic resources is developed and later used in communication, design and cultural projects. More than a traditional typeface, Kobe Font represents an initiative that combines creativity, design and social inclusion.

The project was created with the aim of integrating these visual creations into everyday life in Kobe, encouraging a natural coexistence between people with different abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

The connection with Kobe INK Monogatari

The cover uses colours from the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, one of the most admired Japanese ink series among fountain pen enthusiasts. While the grid notebook edition displays the ink bottles and colour samples directly, this version takes a different approach: the colours become part of a visual language composed of letters, numbers and graphic elements.

The result is an original interpretation of the Kobe ink collection. Rather than presenting colours individually, the notebook demonstrates how they can be incorporated into words, symbols and graphic compositions, bringing together ink, writing and design in a single object.

Graphilo paper and the fountain pen writing experience

The notebook uses Graphilo paper, developed specifically for fountain pen writing under the concept of “smooth writing”. Its surface provides an exceptionally pleasant experience, allowing nibs to glide naturally and precisely across the page.

Graphilo is highly regarded for its ability to reveal shading, colour saturation and tonal variation with remarkable clarity. At the same time, it maintains crisp line definition and significantly reduces ink show-through on the reverse side of the page.

The completely plain layout allows users to take full advantage of these qualities. It is particularly suitable for drawing, free writing, journaling, calligraphy and ink testing without the visual constraints of lines or grids.

A distinctive notebook within the Nagasawa catalogue

Unlike editions primarily focused on the Kobe ink collection itself, this notebook also incorporates a cultural and social dimension rarely found in Japanese stationery. The combination of Graphilo paper, Kobe Font design and colours inspired by Kobe INK Monogatari results in a notebook unlike almost any other currently available to fountain pen users.

Its recent release and primarily Japan-focused distribution make it particularly appealing to enthusiasts interested in discovering unusual and lesser-known examples of contemporary Japanese stationery.

Package Contents

One Nagasawa Kobe Font × Graphilo A5 notebook with Graphilo paper and completely plain pages. Supplied in a transparent PP protective bag.

If you are looking for other products related to Graphilo, Kobe INK Monogatari or the Japanese stationery of Nagasawa Bungu Center, please contact us at inktraveler@inktraveler.com. We will be pleased to assist you.

Technical Specifications

• Size: A5 (210 × 148 mm)
• Number of pages: 96
• Paper: Graphilo paper
• Binding: Perfect binding
• Layout: Plain
• Packaging: Transparent PP protective bag
• Release date: 7 March 2026
• Made in Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kobe Font?
Kobe Font is a social design project developed in Kobe through collaboration between people with disabilities, professional designers and design students to create original letters, numbers and illustrations.

Is it related to Kobe INK Monogatari?
Yes. The cover incorporates colours inspired by the Kobe INK Monogatari ink collection and reinterprets them through the visual language of Kobe Font.

Is it suitable for fountain pens?
Yes. Graphilo paper was specifically developed for fountain pen writing and is highly regarded for its performance with Japanese fountain pen inks.

Does it contain ruled or grid pages?
No. This edition features completely plain pages, providing maximum freedom for writing and drawing.

Your Opinion Matters

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History and Philosophy of the Brand

Nagasawa Bungu Center, founded in Kobe in 1882, is one of Japan’s historic stationery companies. Its catalogue combines writing culture, local identity and craftsmanship, resulting in projects as distinctive as Kobe INK Monogatari.

Graphilo shares the same pursuit of writing excellence, developing papers specifically designed to maximise the fountain pen experience. The collaboration between these two Japanese names demonstrates how stationery can unite functionality, design and cultural values within a single product.

"Some pages are made for writing. Others begin telling a story before the first word is written."