On this past weekend’s Patreon meetup, we discussed the topic of Tomoe River 68gsm paper, which has always been the slightly less-favored version of Tomoe River, the classic lightweight fountain pen friendly Japanese paper. The formula and rights to “Tomoe River” paper has changed hands several times over the past few years, with the current version of the 52gsm paper (the lightest weight version) now made by Sanzen. The Sanzen TRP will soon be the exclusive version of that particular paper on the market. It’s unclear what’s happening with the heavier 68gsm version, including whether it is still being made or whether the current stock of 68gsm paper and notebooks represents “back stock” that will disappear once the paper is all used up. The latter is the most likely scenario.
While much depends on the ink you’re using, I’ve generally found that Tomoe River 68gsm dries quicker than the thinner 52gsm.
68gsm Tomoe River Paper feels quite different from the 52gsm version - especially the “original” 52gsm - which is the paper with the “crinkly” feeling that so many people know and love. Personally, I find the 52gsm version too lightweight for my taste, especially in a work notebook or bound pad that tends to be subject to rough treatment. The 68gsm is equally ink-friendly (though it does show colors differently), is more durable, and in my opinion has a better feel when writing since it the tactile feedback that I like in a thicker paper. I also appreciate that it’s frequently available in dot grid.
Because it’s thicker, the 68gsm paper exhibits less show-through on the back of a page, making it in my opinion a better choice for a notebook paper than the thinner 52gsm Tomoe River.
During the meetup this weekend, I pulled out an Odyssey Notebook that I received directly from Odyssey at the D.C. Pen show a couple of years ago and wrote in it for a bit, really enjoying the feel of the 68gsm Tomoe River and hoping that it won’t go away anytime soon. Alas, I suspect its days are numbered.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Unlike the original 52gsm Tomoe River Paper, which has been much lamented, other discontinued or soon-to-be-discontinued papers such as Tomoe River 68gsm and Cosmo Air Light haven’t been receiving as much fanfare. It’s probably because the weight and feel of these papers aren’t quite as unique and irreplaceable as the super-lightweight Tomoe River, and the good news is that fans won’t have as much of an issue finding a suitable replacement. Have you found a substitute? Let me know because I’m interested.
I have a healthy personal stock of 68gsm Tomoe River Paper, and for now there are several different ways you can still get a hold of it. We carry it in our own shop in the form of the Lochby A5 Notebooks and Pocket Notebooks, which are sold as refills for the Lochby Field Journal and Pocket Journal, respectively, but which are standard sizes and can be used as stand-alone notebooks or as refills in similarly sized covers. Other brands that still use 68gsm Tomoe River paper include Odyssey Notebooks (shown in this post), which makes a line of hardbound notebooks in A5 and B5 sizing, as well as the Endless Recorder line, which is in the process of switching over to “Regalia” paper, presumably in the expectation that the Tomoe River 68gsm will be gone someday. I don’t generally encourage stockpiling, but I will certainly use what I have while I can!
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