In recent years, Japanese design philosophy and principles have been discovered by the rest of us, and since then they have slowly but surely taken over the world. There’s something about products with a Japanese touch that instantly makes you feel at ease. They have a sense of warmth and tranquility to them, one that spreads in the space that they’re placed into. There’s something so efficient, functional, and yet unique about Japanese-influenced stationery, in particular. And we’ve got you covered with a collection of innovative Japanese-inspired stationery! These beautifully designed products are all you need to introduce some Japanese zen and peace to your workdesk.
1. Kintsugi Plain Notebook
This stunning notebook draws inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which involves repairing or fixing cracks in pottery with gold lacquer. It has a simple yet beautiful design cover, which embodies a deeper meaning. It encourages users to reflect, think, and write creatively, allowing them to leave imperfect little marks on the paper.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Kintsugi Plain Notebook urges you to note down your happy memories or creative ideas with total freedom. The notebook is built from sustainable bagasse paper, and it embodies your inner healing, as well as the healing of the planet.
What we like
- Perfectly represents the beauty and essence of Japanese culture
- The black cover showcases lovely branch-like golden lines
What we dislike
- It is only available in a plain paper version and doesn’t have a lined variant
2. Forest Crayons
Forest Crayons is a project that utilizes the pigments extracted from different recycled forest trees, and then merges them with other sustainable ingredients to create crayons. Each crayon has a different shade, influenced by the species of recycled tree, and the way it was grown. For magnolia, they’ve created a light green color, while there is a deep turquoise for fungus-stained wood.
Why is it noteworthy?
The different pigments are combined with wood, rice wax, and rice oil. The Forest Crayons set includes ten colors: Bayberry, Bogwood, Cedar, Chinaberry, Cybress, Hazenoki, Katsura, Kaizuka, Magnolia, and Zelkova.
What we like
- Designed to “breathe new life into Japanese wood”, creating an appreciation for the country’s forests
What we dislike
- Unsure how dark and long-lasting the colors will be
3. Inseparable Notebook Pen
Named the Inseparable Note Book Pen, this stationery design is the ultimate companion to your notebook. It perfectly combines with your notebook, helping you note your thoughts, ideas, and memories. It has a subtle and minimal design, a comfortable grip, and a harmonious ink flow, allowing it to be more than just a writing tool.
Why is it noteworthy?
The pen is sophisticated and yet simple. It is a natural and harmonious extension of the book and has a sleek form which makes it great for effortless writing. The pen is an embodiment of the timeless and classic aesthetic everyone adores.
What we like
- Creates a smooth and seamless writing experience for you
- Has a compact form that easily gets attached to your notebook
What we dislike
- It is placed outside the notebook, allowing it to get stained faster
4. Bento Jot
Say hello to the Bento Jot! This modern stationery set is designed to support you on your creative journey. The set is inspired by a Bento Box, and it includes 12 writing tools. The 3-layer bento box design is unique and appealing! It includes 3 layers – the Øver layer, the Mid layer, and the Base layer. All the layers include tools for handwritten notes.
Why is it noteworthy?
The 12 tools were designed specially for the Bento Jot. The tools have been built from premium materials, creating a satisfying tactile feel. The Mid-layer even includes a lovely vegan leather carrying case!
What we like
- It has a Japandi-inspired emotive design
What we dislike
- The entire box could be inconvenient to carry around
5. Japanese Memo Block
Named the Japanese Memo Block, this compact design is the perfect place to write down your creative and exciting thoughts, so that none of them escape you. It has an easy-to-carry form, so you can take it almost anywhere with you, ensuring you never lose any of the wonderful ideas that come into your mind.
Why is it noteworthy?
With the Japanese paper Memo Block, you can note down your priceless thoughts the minute they get into your head. You can jot them down before you get distracted all over again. It has quite a small footprint, so you can easily carry it wherever you go.
What we like
- Features a pure black/white surface which is a great space for your creative thoughts
- Made from high-quality Japanese paper
What we dislike
- Aesthetically it does look like an ordinary notepad with nothing special
6. Quick Access Pencil Sharpener Stand
Meet the Quick Access Pencil Sharpener Stand – it lets you eliminate dull pencils, as this sharpener is present whenever you need it, and it holds your pencil for you too. The design is disc-shaped, and works as a pencil sharpener and a pencil stand, making it the ideal stationery product.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is equipped with a brass mechanism that prevents the wooden cover from opening by mistake and spilling the shavings within. It keeps your favorite pencil always sharp and within reach.
What we dislike
- Functions as a sharpener and a sophisticated pen stand
- Features a specially angled sharpener which makes the pencil last longer
What we dislike
- The product doesn’t look very portable to carry around
7. Japanese NIKKEN Samurai Scissors
These are the Japanese NIKKEN Samurai Scissors! The handcrafted scissors are inspired by the motifs of famous Japanese samurai swords of the past. They are a special series of scissors that adopt the design and form of different popular Japanese swords. These swords were used by different heroes and legends during the Sengoku Jidai or Warring States Era(1467-1568) in English or the Bakumatsu period at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Samurai scissors adopt the different motifs of the sheath designs, swords, and the house seals of different warriors. The scissors have been handcrafted by craftsmen, and they are made one by one.
What we like
- Compact products that are made in Japan
What we dislike
- They can only be used to cut paper, not strong enough to cut anything else
8. Sushi Eraser
Designed by Iwako, these adorable erasers are a must-have for sushi lovers! The erasers are available in all kinds of sushi – from Salmon Egg sushi to Cuttlefish sushi and even Nigiri Shrimp sushi. The resemblance to actual sushi pieces is uncanny, and each element of the erase is a puzzle piece and can be taken apart and then put together.
Why is it noteworthy?
The erasers bring Japanese culture and sushi fever to your boring desk, and they’re also perfect for stocking stuffers, decorations, and fun little games. The erasers are eco-friendly and made in Japan. They’ve been put together by hand!
What we like
- Economically priced
- Represent all the different varieties of sushi, with loads of choices available
What we dislike
- We are unsure how efficient the erasers will be at erasing, they do look more decorative than functional
9. ONEBOX
Named the ONEBOX, this little woodworking design merges different tools into a fascinating interlocking Jenga-like stationery box. The box utilizes the same traditional mortise and tenon joining technique that was used to construct massive buildings in ancient times. Once the ONEBOX has been put together, it looks like any regular wooden box!
Why is it noteworthy?
When you pull the pieces of the box apart, you realize that each piece is a stationery tool or a fidget toy. The multi-part storage box is built from poplar, beech, or black walnut wood, showcasing a warm and wooden aesthetic. The various wooden pieces can be converted into a container for your stationery as a phone stand or even an adjustable ruler!
What we like
- The pieces feature flawless tenon and mortise joints
- Serves as much more than just an ordinary stationery box
What we dislike
- You have to ensure you don’t lose a piece, or else you’ll have trouble putting the box together again
10. Japanese NIKKEN Samurai Letter Opener
Another important addition to a desk is a letter opener, and we just discovered a Samurai-style letter opener for you! The Japanese NIKKEN Samurai Letter Opener is inspired by the iconic Japanese Samurai Katana, and it is a compact and functional stationery piece for your work desk, especially if you’re a lover of Japanese culture.
Why is it noteworthy?
The letter opener adopts the essence of the old legendary swords of famous leaders from history. Each sword is built by specialist masters of their craft, delivering a quality that is truly unmatched and special.
What we like
- Handcrafted with a perfected edge
What we dislike
- It can only be used to open a letter, it isn’t as sharp as a knife