[Part 2] Taizo Yamamoto / President & CEO, Yamamoto Paper “There are endless stories to be told in the world of paper.”

Based in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Yamamoto Paper is a paper wholesaler specializing in “paper.” Founded in 1972, the company has focused primarily on wholesale, but in 2010 it launched its own original paper products. Today, it has fans around the world as a stationery manufacturer.

In Part Two, we ask about Yamamoto Paper’s overseas expansion and the story behind CANOPUS NOTE, a product President Yamamoto developed after years of preparation.

Taizo Yamamoto

President & CEO, Yamamoto Paper.
With the goal of becoming “Japan's best paper shop,” he works to spread the appeal of paper through original paper products, overseas stores, and event organization.

Japanese paper gains attention at the San Francisco Pen Show

— Yamamoto Paper's original stationery is very popular overseas as well.

After launching the RO-BIKI NOTE, we began exhibiting at NY NOW, a wholesale trade show held in New York since 2010 that attracts buyers from all over the world. The response was very positive, and we did receive orders, but many were one-off. The moment we truly felt overseas demand was at the San Francisco Pen Show in 2017.

We formed a unit called K3 with Rondo Kobo (a stationery manufacturer based in Osaka) and Bearhouse (a stationery brand by creator Daiki Abe), and we run a podcast together. An American listener heard it, contacted us, and said, ‘I'm going to Japan, I'd love to meet you.’

— What an amazing encounter!

At that time, the Japanese stationery boom was really gaining momentum in the U.S. He said he wanted to help build excitement around stationery in San Francisco, and since the pen show was growing, he invited us to come. After exhibiting at NY NOW, we headed straight to the San Francisco Pen Show.

Then he said, ‘The booths are empty at night—why don't you use one and do something?’(laughs)

— That sounds very American . (laughs)

Exactly. So we held an experiential event where people could freely test-write on various types of paper we brought from Japan. It was a huge hit. People were amazed, saying, ‘There's paper that doesn't bleed even when you write with a fountain pen!’ That experience convinced us to exhibit at the San Francisco Pen Show the following year.

— They were impressed by the quality. Is Japanese paper really superior from a global perspective?

I think it is. The notebooks American children use are extremely rough, and the ruled lines are very dark. They don't place much importance on those details. It's probably a difference in values.

In Japan, paper used to differ even by region—paper sold in western Japan was slightly bluish, while paper in eastern Japan had a slightly reddish white tone. Paper was carefully produced to match local preferences. Today, things have become more standardized for efficiency, but that attention to subtle differences feels very Japanese.

In the U.S., efficiency in production is considered the highest virtue, so they probably wonder why Japanese people bother doing such inefficient things . (laughs)

— What kinds of paper are popular in the U.S. right now?

At the moment, fountain-pen-friendly paper. Ironically, the U.S. excels in fountain pen technology, yet people don't pay much attention to paper. Even if the nib catches slightly, they don't seem to mind. Japanese users, on the other hand, choose paper to match their pens. That idea may not have existed in the U.S.

— Are many Japanese stationery products sold in American shops?

They're everywhere. Hobonichi Techo is extremely popular in the U.S. The Hobonichi planner using Tomoe River paper was probably revolutionary. ‘You can write with a fountain pen and it doesn't bleed!’

When we exhibited at the San Francisco Pen Show in 2019, we held an event called ‘Searching for paper that feels good to write on.’ I brought about 15 types of fountain-pen-friendly paper and invited people to find the one they liked best. Cosmo Air Light was overwhelmingly popular. People loved how beautifully it showed ink shading and sheen.

— Is Cosmo Air Light a planner paper as well?

No, it was often used for mooks—a format between magazines and books. It was valued for printing both photos and text beautifully. This event helped spread the word that it also offered excellent writing feel with fountain pens.

Since everyone loved Cosmo Air Light, I promised, ‘Next year, I'll bring a notebook made from this paper.’ That became Cosmo Note. The following year, Cosmo Note became a hot topic in San Francisco, and from there it grew popular in Japan as well.

Creating paper that rivals Cosmo Air Light

— Cosmo Air Light has now been discontinued, hasn't it?

Yes. Nippon Paper stopped production as publishing declined, in December 2022. We could no longer make Cosmo Note, but as Yamamoto Paper, we wanted to introduce a fascinating paper—one that could rival Cosmo Air Light.

We wondered if we could plan and create our own paper. The biggest obstacle was the 50- metric　ton minimum production lot. Through coating tests and many other challenges, we eventually managed to bring it down to a feasible scale. That's how CANOPUS was born, and we began selling CANOPUS NOTE.

— Is CANOPUS a completely original paper?

There is a base paper, but as a paper specialized for writing, it's original. It's not the same as Cosmo Air Light, but in terms of writing enjoyment, it may even surpass it.

We were extremely particular about ensuring it doesn't bleed with any ink, doesn't show through on the back, displays ink shading beautifully, produces a nice sheen, and dries quickly. Normally, achieving all of these requires trade-offs. But since none of these features could be sacrificed, we aimed for the best overall balance.

— How long did it take to complete?

Three years. We started immediately after hearing Cosmo Air Light would be discontinued.

— What is the origin of the name CANOPUS?

It's the name of a star. Canopus is the second brightest star visible from Earth. From Japan, it appears just above the horizon—if there were war fires on the opposite shore, it would be too bright to see. Seeing Canopus symbolizes peace.

It's also said to be a star that grants wishes, and some believe it inspired the Seven Lucky Gods. We wanted a name that reflects finding happiness even in small things, like the joy of writing, and hoped for a world where such happiness can be felt.

Next challenge: Washi paper

— Tomoe River paper has also been discontinued. It's sad to see so many high-quality papers disappear.

Paper once played the largest role in disseminating information, but digital media is convenient, and I don't think we'll return to that era. The meaning of paper is changing.

Japan still has many excellent papers, but when demand decreases, production inevitably stops. That's truly unfortunate.

— Could production resume if demand increases?

Many paper manufacturers have shifted company policies, so restarting discontinued papers is difficult. Some have moved toward industrial uses—insulating paper for lithium-ion batteries or paper used in smartphone circuit boards.

However, Tomoe River is a special case. Tomoegawa　paper manufacturing company stopped production in 2021, but the technology was inherited by Sanzen paper manufacturing company. It's technically a different paper, but it's extremely close to Tomoe River.

— That's amazing—passing on the technology!

They were competitors, but user demand was strong. When Sanzen paper manufacturing company　consulted Hobonichi, they learned many planner users used friction pens. As a result, the new paper was improved so it wouldn't wrinkle when erased with a friction pen. That's how Sanzen Tomoe River was born.

— What a passionate story—it deserves a drama adaptation.

Every paper mill has its own story. Hearing those stories changes how you feel when you use paper.

— Is Yamamoto Paper planning new paper projects as well?

“We're currently developing washi paper for fountain pens. There was a washi called Kinkakuden, made in Kochi Prefecture by an elderly couple. Due to aging, the factory closed, and it's no longer produced.

It's an excellent paper that doesn't bleed at all with fountain pens. When the factory was closing, we bought all the remaining stock, but our warehouse has finally run out. So we visited the older lady who made Kinkakuden and asked, ‘We'd like to revive it—may we use the name?’ She said, ‘Please do.’

We're now developing a new Kinkakuden. After three tests, it's come very close to completion—just a little more to go.

Yamamoto Paper's original stationery is also available at the Hachimonjiya Online Store.
We invite you to experience its exceptional writing feel for yourself.

(Interview & text: Natsumi Nakayama)