Yokobon Sketch A6 Notebook - Olive

Beautifully crafted in Tokyo by Watanabe Bookbinding, the Yokobon Sketch Notebook is a compact companion designed for spontaneous drawing wherever inspiration strikes. Its distinctive A6 landscape format provides a generous horizontal canvas while remaining small enough to slip easily into a bag. 

The name “Yokobon” (横本) comes from a traditional Japanese bookbinding term for a book that is wider than it is tall. Historically suited to photography and visual works, the format creates an expansive double-page spread that lends itself beautifully to sketching and illustration. 

Inside are 128 blank pages of HS Light Force paper, specially selected through testing with 20 sketch enthusiasts. Smooth yet with a pleasing degree of resistance, the paper works beautifully with pencil, coloured pencil, fountain pen, ink and fine markers, and can also accommodate light watercolour work. 

Watanabe’s specialist bookbinding is central to its design. Durable thread-sewn Codex binding allows the notebook to lie completely flat at 180° or fold back through 360°, making it particularly comfortable for sketching outdoors or while holding it in one hand. Each notebook is carefully finished by skilled craftspeople in Japan.

Rounded corners, a secure elastic closure and thoughtfully contrasting cover details make it both practical and beautifully considered. The collection includes understated Japanese colourways such as Sand Grey, Deep Red and Olive, alongside special editions including Black. 

A6 Landscape (105 × 148 mm) | 128 blank pages | HS Light Force paper | Approx. 125g | Made in Japan

THE COMPANY 

Watanabe Bookbinding is a Tokyo-based company with three generations of bookbinding experience. The factory is engaged in the daily production of academic books, museum catalogues, and premium notebooks, all of which require a high degree of precision in bookbinding. Dictionaries and academic books open seamlessly, remaining strong even after heavy use, and holding together for a lifetime. Since 2016, Watanabe has been designing, manufacturing, and selling paper products as well, mainly notebooks, which are bound with the same great bookbinding technology.