Japanese bound notebook, Handmade, Yuzen Washi, Japanese paper, Fair Trade

This is a notebook made using traditional Japanese bookbinding methods. It is an ethical product that uses Fair Trade paper. The plain body paper can be used for various purposes such as a travel journal, diary or guest book. Measures: 5.4" x 7.5" (13.8 cm x 19 cm). It is only slightly smaller than half letter or A5 size. Number of pages: 40 Materials: Yuzen Washi (traditional Japanese paper), Banana paper (Fair Trade paper), cotton thread Cherry blossoms, fans and butterflies are depicted on a fresh blue background. The small cherry blossoms and border lines are painted in gold and are beautiful. Made in Japan **□■ About the Cover ■□……………………………** The front and back covers are made of Yuzen Washi, a traditional Japanese paper. It is made in Kyoto, Japan. Yuzen Washi is dyed by hand, one piece at a time, by artisans. It has a beautiful pattern, like a kimono. It is enchanting to look at. **□■ About the Body Paper ■□………………………** The body paper is Fair Trade banana paper. **Stalk fibers, normally discarded in organic banana fields in Zambia, are transformed into high quality paper by adding waste paper in Japanese paper mills.** Banana paper is made by purchasing banana stalk fiber from contracted farmers that was previously simply discarded at harvest time. Purchasing these discarded banana stalks from impoverished banana farmers in rural Africa helps to increase the farmers' income. Banana stalks can be used in a more rapid cycle with no negative impact on the forest because they regenerate and grow in just one year, whereas normal “paper trees” take 10 to 30 years to grow. Fiber is also extracted from banana stems by local villagers to make banana paper. This work gives the villagers an opportunity to overcome extreme poverty. Thanks to this fiber work, children can now go to school, have access to safe drinking water and nutritious food, buy bed nets to prevent malaria, and go to the hospital. **By using Fair Trade banana paper, we can protect both the natural environment and people at the same time.** *Banana stem fibers, etc. appear as brownish spots on the paper. Please understand that this is not a stain or defect. **□■ Gift Wrapping ■□………………………………** Gift wrap is available for a fee. Please order from the following link. https://pinkoi.com/product/xdW2SHWd **□■ Packaging ■□……………………………………** We are committed to plastic-free packaging. Products are packaged in a waterproof paper bag and then shipped in a thick paper envelope.