love the quality of midori - the lay flat binding and the overall simplicity is just wonderful. fits perfectly in my hobonichi day-free sleeve. also, the packaging that it came in was very pretty and aesthetically pleasing.

Bought this for my hobonichi to use as a sketchbook and it's the perfect size! I didn't like having the extra bookmark as the hobonichi covers already have them but thankfully it's easy to detach the bookmark without disturbing the binding! The paper quality is great, no bleeding. Just wanted something simple and compact to doodle in and this does the trick!

Just got this for a travel sketchbook! I wanted a smooth paper to sketch small thumbnails on, and this was a great pick.I only use pencil and light ink, it's not for super wet media.I also love the simple look of it! the ribbon marker did fray though, so seal it with some glue or thread. other than that, a great pick for a cute travel sketchbook!

I bought this tiny one as a test. I ended up loving it so much I bought a bigger MD later. Still working on finishing this notebook. I haven't been able to complete a physical journal in nearly a decade, and I'm almost done with this one. I really love writing in this notebook. The paper is great. I primarily write with gel pens, but I tried out a fountain pen in this and had no issues. The small size makes it very portable.

The MD paper is serious the best paper. I use this for my Uni Jetstream pen, and fountain pen using Noodler's ink. The paper is thick enough that there's not a lot of show through.

Love the larger size so much, I wanted to try this smaller size. It does not disappoint. It has the same wonderful smooth feeling of its larger version. Can't wait to fill it with affirmations, Washi tape samples. Yes, this is going to be great and its smaller compact size makes it easy to carry around. It is portable and functional. My fountain pens cannot wait to enjoy.

I purchased two of these notebooks with the intention of using them as pocket sketchbooks. I'm rather fond of the minimalist design and creamy paper, although for someone looking for a more robust notebook I would encourage looking at the line of refillable covers Midori sells for these books as the cover is (beautifully bound) cardstock. The paper is plentiful, a pleasant off-white cream, and very smooth; my only concern here is that it's very thin--not really a surprise since these pack a ton of paper into a small space--and easily bleed through, showing even the shadows from dark applications of pencil to previous pages. This isn't a concern for me, since I primarily work in mechanical pencil and ball point when on the move, but for anyone looking to work in wet, ... MoreI purchased two of these notebooks with the intention of using them as pocket sketchbooks. I'm rather fond of the minimalist design and creamy paper, although for someone looking for a more robust notebook I would encourage looking at the line of refillable covers Midori sells for these books as the cover is (beautifully bound) cardstock. The paper is plentiful, a pleasant off-white cream, and very smooth; my only concern here is that it's very thin--not really a surprise since these pack a ton of paper into a small space--and easily bleed through, showing even the shadows from dark applications of pencil to previous pages. This isn't a concern for me, since I primarily work in mechanical pencil and ball point when on the move, but for anyone looking to work in wet, or more heavily applied, techniques, or even the use of fountain pens, I would look elsewhere.The book itself is sturdily constructed, laying flat without apparent damage to the spine, with the bookmark firmly attached. Although the cover is only cardstock, it has a finish that feels pleasant without being overly slick, the cloth binding providing a sort of non-slick element to the back while you're working. The blank finish on the front and back leaves it open for customization, whether it be via one of Midori's covers or your own artwork or notes.Will be buying again.

I've tried hundreds of different notebooks over the years and this one is my favorite. My shelves of widely diverse notebooks in multiple colors, shapes, weights, etc., are slowly transforming into a uniform line of these simple white blocks. The Midori MD notebooks are meticulously well-designed while being utterly simple. It feels good in the hand. The paper texture and the particular balance between the cardstock cover and interior paper is perfect. Everything from pencil to fountain pen writes really well on this paper. The notebooks lies flat and has a red thread bookmark which is visible from the top of the exposed spine. I have several of these in both small and medium, blank and grid--most are encased in nice plastic covers and one in the goatskin leather cover.

This was my first Japanese paper notebook and all other notebooks are inferior now. The perfect simplicity, attention to creamier colored paper to be easier to look at, the flat binding, and the thin but won't let your fountain bleed through paper has made me buy a second one. I keep one as a sketchbook and another for journaling. You can use watercolors in them but, the paper will wrinkle. They also work well in Hobonichi covers.

Elegant and Functional

Beautifully packaged, lovely binding, lays completely flat, and the paper is fantastic even for fountain pens. Love the calm ad simplistic design; the paper's colour and quality makes it very relaxing and pleasant to write on.