Video:

About the Project:

In the antique bookstores of Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood, I saw thousands of artifact-looking books wrapped in a hard case and held closed with bone-clasps.

This style of case design (more specifically the idea of a book having its own box) lended an even further aura of importance to these classic bindings. I was inspired to experiment with this concept using my own unique closure-mechanism.

Also fascinating was the overlap of the two covers over the book within. I considered all the ways that these two covers could interact with each other, and decided to try overlapping acetate windows whose colors would make a blended venn diagram at their intersection. This intention was slightly foiled by my choice of darker, less reflective cover material and liner papers. Still, the windows throw delightful reflections and cast rings of tinted light when opened in the sunlight.

The book inside is made in the classic 4-hole style of yotsume toji. While this binding style is easy on the eyes, I expect it would lose points in functionality as an everyday notebook since you have to essentially crease the pages to fully open the book.

MATERIALS

Book:

Paper - 24/60lb short grain paper - Warm white

Thread - French waxed linen thread (size 25)

Covers - Cardstock I stole from my office in 2021

End Papers - Yellow textured washi

Liner Papers - Black textured washi

Book Cloth - Euro Buckram Cloth - Gunmetal

Case:

Windows: Thin colored acetate

Case - Davey's Binder Board - 3mm

Liner Papers: Black textured washi

Book Cloth - Euro Buckram Cloth - Gunmetal

Clasp: 16mm metal buckle

If you have any questions about this project, materials, bookbinding, or otherwise, contact Bounty Archive Management, or leave a comment.