Mallet and Kotsu are hand-made in London by Mentsen, a design practice established in 2011 and a partnership between two Japanese designers, Yasuyuki Sakurai and Risa Sano. All other tools are carefully selected and sourced in Japan.

Recommended with JAPANESE BOOKBINDING: INSTRUCTIONS FROM A MASTER CRAFTSMAN by Kojiro Ikegami

The kit comes in a stitched box with foil-blocked artwork by Marie–Yaé Suematsu.

Kit contains:

[Kotsu] A traditional Japanese tool used to ensure a square edge in bookbinding and box making. Used in the bindery for squaring box walls, book blocks or stacks of paper, and for rounding spines.

[Nigiri Basami] Thread snips/clippers.

[Bamboo Folder] A long smooth handle with thin, tapered point. A tool traditionally used for for folding and scoring paper. Particularly suited for manipulating thin and delicate papers. 

[Mallet] A traditional tool made from Kashiwa Oak for using with a steel awl to make holes when making stab bindings. Also used in the flattening of sections, knocking down and flattening folds.

[Steel Awl] Very strong and sturdy and suited for use with a mallet when making holes for stab bindings, or similar. The shaft and point are machined from a single piece of steel. Tip is extremely sharp, with a long taper which ensures evenly-sized holes throughout.

[Noribake] A paste brush – used for applying paste, such as washi nori. The brush should be rinsed well in water before use to eliminate any loose bristles and again after use to remove al traces of paste. 

[Washi Nori] A high quality starch paste ideal for use with washi (traditional Japanese paper) and other delicate papers. Its smooth application and slow dry time helps to prevent wrinkles and allows for adjustments before setting.

[Silk Thread, assorted colours] No.16 Japanese buttonhole thread made with 100% silk. Ideal for hand-sewn headbands in western style bindings, or for Japanese stab-bindings. 

[Washi Thread] 20m Spool of Washi Thread, or kami-ito (紙糸), which is made by twisting thin strips of traditional Japanese paper (washi) to create a strong and multi-purpose thread that can be used in various bindings.