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Key Points

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Disconnect to Connect

  • 2

    Digital Detox: Only place where escape from notification of smartphone is on paper. Time to organize thoughts without bathing in blue light is best luxury in modern times

  • 3

    Traveler's Notebook: Cowhide cover made in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Becomes beautiful enough to be hurt (Aging). Sandwich ticket of trip, paste sticker. It is passport of journey called life

  • 4

    Hobonichi Techo: Adopts 'Tomoe River Paper' that Japan boasts to world. Although thin like dictionary, ink of fountain pen does not bleed through. 1 page per day, free canvas where can write anything

  • 5

    Handwriting Effect: Writing by hand uses part of brain different from typing. Fixation rate of memory increases, creativity is stimulated. 'Writing' is 'Thinking' itself

Introduction: Slow Thinking

Notion and Obsidian are wonderful tools. However, they specialize in “Organizing”.

To catch chaotic emotions and ideas not yet words, speed (slowness) of paper and pen is necessary. During few tenths of second when ink soaks into paper. “Accumulation” of thinking is born there.

1. The Traveler: Traveler’s Notebook

One piece of leather and rubber band. Structure that cannot be scraped off any more. Can customize refill (contents) freely.

Traveler's Notebook Passport Size

If passport size, put in pocket and carry anywhere. In lounge of airport, in cafe of foreign country, moment opened there becomes study.

Patina (Aging)

Product is coolest when new. Gloss comes out as used, and your hand habit is carved on leather. 10 years later, it becomes only vintage in world.

2. The Daily Life: Hobonichi Techo

“Hobonichi Techo” is loved by creators all over world. Features are vast space of “1 page per day” and magic of paper called “Tomoe River”.

Hobonichi Techo Planner A6

English Arts & Science version is extremely simple in design. Gold leaf stamping called 'Techo' on black cover. Do not have to write every day. Blank is also record of life.

3. Comparison: Trip or Daily

項目 Traveler's Notebook Hobonichi Techo
Format Plain/Lined (Free) 1 page per day (Grid)
Paper Quality MD Paper (Good writing feel) Tomoe River (Thin)
Portability High (Slim) Normal (Thick)
Expandability Refill exchange Cover exchange

4. The Analog Protocol

It is proper use recommended by me.

  • Digital (Notion) : Confirmed information, task management, database.
  • Analog (Notebook) : Expression of emotion, conception of future, graffiti.

Searchability of digital is hard to throw away, but “Serendipity” of analog is also hard to throw away. When looking back fluttering, sometimes saved by words written by past self.

Conclusion: Record without Backup

Data on cloud disappears if server flies. However, letters you wrote with ink do not disappear unless paper burns.

Please leave physical record. It is most certain evidence (Proof of Life) that you lived in this era.