--- title: "What Happened to Tomoe River Paper? Tomoegawa to Sanzen" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/stories/tomoe-river-paper-story/" description: "How Tomoe River paper moved from Tomoegawa to Sanzen: the 2019 machine shutdown, the 2021 trademark sale, Tomoe River S and FP, Hobonichi, and who sells it." category: "Stories" published: 2026-10-21 updated: 2026-10-21 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 17 organizations: - name: "Sanzen Paper Co., Ltd." country: "Japan" founded: "1948-04-07" parent: "Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd." parent_since: "1989-05" brands: ["Tomoe River"] source: "https://www2.jpx.co.jp/disc/38780/140120211028418771.pdf" - name: "Tomoegawa Corporation" country: "Japan" founded: "1914" source: "https://www.tomoegawa.co.jp/corporation/history/" - name: "Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd." country: "Japan" founded: "1947-02" source: "https://www.chuetsu-pulp.co.jp/company/group.html" --- # What Happened to Tomoe River Paper? Tomoegawa to Sanzen > Tomoegawa, the Shizuoka mill that created Tomoe River, stopped making the thin paper in 2021 and sold all Tomoe River trademark rights to Sanzen Paper of Kanazawa for about 300 million yen (about US$1.9 million). Sanzen began full production of its version, Tomoe River S, in February 2022, and Hobonichi switched to it from its 2024 planners. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/stories/tomoe-river-paper-story/ - Category: Stories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-21 - Updated: 2026-10-21 ![Two timeline ribbons for Tomoegawa and Sanzen Paper, with the Tomoe River trademark passing in 2021](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/tomoe-river-paper-story-16x9.png) *Tomoegawa (top) and Sanzen (bottom) on one time axis; the axis zooms in after 2018. Dates from Tomoegawa's 2021 disclosure, Yamamoto Paper and Hobonichi.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Key takeaways - Tomoegawa stopped one of its four paper machines in December 2019, the one that mainly made Tomoe River; Sanzen's president says moving the paper to another machine never matched the old quality. - On October 28, 2021, Tomoegawa agreed to sell all Tomoe River trademark rights and part of its paper stock to Sanzen for about 300 million yen (about US$1.9 million), effective November 28, 2021. - Sanzen, founded in 1948 and 100% owned by Chuetsu Pulp & Paper, began full-scale production of Tomoe River S in February 2022; Hobonichi says the S stands for Sanzen. - Hobonichi moved its planners to Tomoe River S from the 2024 edition and says the books became about 5% lighter, with less bleed-through and faster-drying ink. - Sanzen's loose sheets are still 52 g/m², but Yamamoto Paper says the new sheet is about 5 microns thicker and stiffer than Tomoegawa's. Tomoe River is the thin Japanese paper inside the Hobonichi Techo and a favorite of fountain pen users. Between 2019 and 2022 it lost its machine, its maker and very nearly its name. Below is what happened, taken from the companies' own Japanese documents, translated, with fan and retailer reports marked as such. ## What happened to Tomoe River paper? **Tomoegawa, the company that created Tomoe River, stopped making it in 2021 and sold the brand to Sanzen Paper, which has made the paper as Tomoe River S since February 2022.** Tomoegawa's board decided the sale on October 28, 2021. Its disclosure to the Tokyo Stock Exchange says it would "stop manufacturing and selling ultra-lightweight printing paper" and transfer "all trademark rights relating to Tomoe River" and part of its paper stock to Sanzen. The price was about 300 million yen (about US$1.9 million), and the assets changed hands on November 28, 2021. So Tomoe River paper still exists, but it comes from a different mill on a different machine, and it isn't identical to the original. Our [Tomoe River paper guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tomoe-river-paper/) covers the sheets you can buy today. ## When did Tomoe River change hands? **The key dates run from December 2019, when Tomoegawa shut the machine that made Tomoe River, to the 2024 Hobonichi planners on Sanzen's paper.** | Date | Event | Source | |---|---|---| | 1914 | Tomoegawa founded in present-day Shimizu, Shizuoka | Tomoegawa history | | April 7, 1948 | Sanzen Paper founded in Kanazawa | Tomoegawa disclosure | | 1976 | Sanzen starts making 52 g/m² planner paper | Yamamoto Paper | | 1980s | Tomoegawa lists "ultra-lightweight printing paper (Tomoe River)" among its products | Tomoegawa history | | May 1989 | Chuetsu Pulp & Paper takes part in Sanzen's management | Chuetsu securities report | | October 5, 2001 | First Hobonichi Techo, on Tomoe River paper | Hobonichi | | December 2019 | Tomoegawa stops one of its four paper machines, which mainly made Tomoe River | Tomoegawa disclosure | | Spring 2021 | Secret talks between Tomoegawa and Sanzen begin | Sanzen president, to Hobonichi | | June 3, 2021 | Fan blogs report the end of Tomoe River | Well-Appointed Desk | | October 28, 2021 | Tomoegawa's board approves the sale to Sanzen; contract signed | Tomoegawa disclosure | | November 28, 2021 | Trademark rights and stock transfer to Sanzen | Tomoegawa disclosure | | February 2022 | Sanzen begins full-scale production of Tomoe River S | Yamamoto Paper | | 2024 edition (sold from 2023) | Hobonichi Techo switches to Tomoe River S | Hobonichi | | January 2024 | Tomoegawa Paper renames itself Tomoegawa Corporation | Tomoegawa history | ## Why did Tomoegawa stop making Tomoe River? **Tomoegawa says it was restructuring its paper business, and Sanzen's president says the machine change had already hurt the paper.** The 2021 disclosure explains that Tomoegawa shut one of its four paper machines in December 2019. Tomoe River, made mainly on that machine, moved to another one, but as the restructuring went further Tomoegawa decided to drop ultra-lightweight paper altogether. Sanzen's president, Toshinori Hoshino, filled in the details in an interview on Hobonichi's Japanese site. The old paper came from Tomoegawa's No. 7 machine and moved to No. 9, but "the previous quality just wouldn't come out", so Tomoegawa looked at other options. Hoshino calls No. 7 "a very strange machine": its sheets settled when stacked, so a pile came out thinner, and he says no other machine can reproduce that. Tomoegawa itself is now mainly a maker of toner and electronic materials. Its history traces its roots to electrical insulating paper in 1914, not to writing paper. ## Was Tomoe River discontinued in 2020? **No: the original paper was made into late 2021, although fan reports in 2021 said it had ended in December 2020.** The Well-Appointed Desk wrote on June 3, 2021 that production had ended "as of December 2020", citing a notice from the notebook maker Sakae Technical Paper. It also reported that users had noticed in 2020 that the 52 gsm paper had changed, which Tomoegawa later confirmed. Readers disputed the December 2020 date in the comments. One posted on June 9, 2021 what he said was Tomoegawa's reply: production would continue at least until September and the company was looking for a way to keep the paper. Hunter Paper Co., a US retailer, says the last batch from the No. 9 machine ended in November 2021. The official record supports the later date: the disclosure ending production is dated October 28, 2021. Hoshino says the talks with Sanzen were secret, known to two or three people inside Sanzen, which explains why the public saw only rumors. Our reading is that the 2020 date in early reports was wrong; we couldn't read Sakae Technical Paper's original notice. ## Who is Sanzen Paper? **Sanzen Paper (三善製紙) is a Kanazawa paper mill founded in 1948 and wholly owned by Chuetsu Pulp & Paper.** Tomoegawa's disclosure describes it as a maker of printing, information, packaging and specialty papers with 100 million yen (about US$630,000) in capital. Chuetsu's securities report lists Sanzen as a 100% subsidiary and says Chuetsu took part in its management from May 1989. Thin paper was not new to Sanzen. Yamamoto Paper says it had made 52 g/m² planner paper since 1976, and Hoshino says Sanzen made a 47 g/m² planner paper about ten years before the deal but struggled to sell it. He also told Hobonichi that Japan had four makers of thin paper: Oji F-Tex, Nippon Paper Papylia, Tomoegawa and Sanzen, now three. Sanzen runs its machine at 250 m a minute for thin paper, against about 1,000 m for ordinary paper, so the same tonnage takes about four times as long. ## What do "Tomoe River S" and "Tomoe River FP" mean? **The S stands for Sanzen; FP is a retail name we couldn't trace to either maker.** Hobonichi's Japanese site says the name stayed "Tomoe River" to carry on Tomoegawa's wishes, since the paper bore that company's name, and Sanzen's S was added. Yamamoto Paper, a Japanese paper seller, calls its pads 三善トモエリバーS (Sanzen Tomoe River S). Retailers in Europe and Australia sell the same 52 g/m² loose sheets as Tomoe River FP, and Pulp Addiction calls its notepads "the new updated 2023 version of Tomoe River FP". Sakae Technical Paper sells Sanzen-paper notebooks as New Tomoe River FP; one retailer's English listing names the mill as "Mizen Seishi", a misreading of 三善製紙. ## How does the new Tomoe River compare with the old? **It is close but not the same: more even, stiffer and quicker to dry, with reviewers split on whether it is as good with fountain pens.** Yamamoto Paper says Sanzen reworked the eucalyptus and softwood pulp mix, giving more uniform fibers, a smoother surface and a sheet about 5 microns thicker. It adds that rubbing out FriXion ink no longer cockles the page. Hobonichi says its planner paper bleeds through less, dries faster and makes the Original book about 5% lighter. Hoshino explains that Tomoegawa's brief was a 47 g/m² planner paper as opaque as the old 52 g/m² one, and that Sanzen's machine gives a thicker sheet at the same weight. The result is a paper about 10% lighter with almost the same thickness. The two claims about thickness refer to different products: Yamamoto Paper's 52 g/m² sheets and Hobonichi's lighter planner paper. The Gentleman Stationer's first look in May 2022 found the Sanzen paper toothier, with darker ink and less shading and sheen, but still free of feathering and bleed-through. ## Does the Hobonichi Techo still use Tomoe River? **Yes: it uses Sanzen's Tomoe River S from the 2024 edition.** Hobonichi says it was very surprised when Tomoegawa announced the end of production in 2021 and bought up enough of the old paper to print every planner through the 2023 edition. Its printer, Toppan, found one replacement, but Hobonichi says it "fell short of Tomoe River's quality". Sanzen's paper came next. Every 2023 Hobonichi Techo book included trial sheets of Tomoe River S, and from the 2024 edition the [Hobonichi Techo Original](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-techo-original/), the A5 [Hobonichi Cousin](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-cousin/) and the other planner books moved to it; some 2024 memo pads and grid notebooks kept the old paper until it ran out. The 2024 January-start [Hobonichi Weeks](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-weeks/) kept the old paper and switched from the April-start edition; our [Hobonichi 5-Year Techo](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-5-year-techo/) guide covers a book that also uses Tomoe River. ## Who sells Tomoe River paper now? **Sanzen makes the paper; others turn it into pads, sheets and notebooks.** In Japan, Yamamoto Paper sells Sanzen Tomoe River S pads and lists the place of production as Japan, and bungu.store lists New Tomoe River FP notebooks from Sakae Technical Paper. In the US, JetPens sells Tomoe River S 52 gsm loose sheets, typically in our $$ band ($5–20) per pack. Nanami Paper of California fills the 8th edition of its 480-page [Seven Seas Crossfield](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/nanami-seven-seas-crossfield/) journal with Sanzen-made 52 gsm Tomoe River and says it is bound in Tokyo. Old Tomoegawa stock still turns up, labeled as such by sellers like Hunter Paper Co. If you want a thin paper that isn't Tomoe River, compare the heavier [Midori MD Paper Pad](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-md-paper-pad/) and [Rhodia No. 16](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/rhodia-no-16-dot-pad/) in our [best notebooks for fountain pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-notebooks-for-fountain-pens/). For who owns which other paper and pen brands, see [who owns which stationery brands](https://stationerytimes.com/stories/who-owns-which-stationery-brands/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Tomoe River paper discontinued? The original is. Tomoegawa ended production and sale of its ultra-lightweight Tomoe River paper in 2021. The name lives on: Sanzen Paper bought all Tomoe River trademark rights and has made Tomoe River S since February 2022. ### Who makes Tomoe River paper now? Sanzen Paper Co., Ltd. (三善製紙) of Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Tomoegawa's October 28, 2021 disclosure names Sanzen as the buyer of the trademark, and Hobonichi's Japanese site says Sanzen makes the Tomoe River S in its planners. ### Who owns Sanzen Paper? Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd., a listed Japanese paper maker. Tomoegawa's 2021 disclosure gives Chuetsu as Sanzen's 100% shareholder, and Chuetsu's securities report says it took part in Sanzen's management from May 1989. ### How much did Sanzen pay for Tomoe River? About 300 million yen (about US$1.9 million at today's rate), paid by bank transfer, for all Tomoe River trademark rights and part of Tomoegawa's stock of the paper. Tomoegawa expected a special gain of 200 million yen (about US$1.3 million) from the sale. ### What does the S in Tomoe River S stand for? Sanzen. Hobonichi's Japanese site says the name stayed Tomoe River out of respect for Tomoegawa, and Sanzen's S was added. Retailers also sell the loose sheets as Tomoe River FP; we found no maker document that defines FP. ### Is Tomoe River S the same as the old Tomoe River? No. Sanzen's president told Hobonichi that paper changes when the machine changes and an identical copy is impossible. Yamamoto Paper says the new sheet is about 5 microns thicker and stiffer, with a more even fiber mix; Hobonichi says it bleeds through less and dries faster. ### Can you still buy original Tomoegawa Tomoe River paper? Only old stock. Hunter Paper Co. lists a Yamamoto Paper pad from Tomoegawa's final batch on its No. 9 machine, which it says ended in November 2021. New packs on sale today are Sanzen paper. ### What paper does the Hobonichi Techo use now? Sanzen's Tomoe River S. Hobonichi stockpiled the old paper to cover editions through 2023 and switched to Tomoe River S from the 2024 edition; the 2024 January-start Weeks kept the old paper and changed from the April-start edition. ## Sources - [Tomoegawa Paper (巴川製紙所), TSE disclosure: 資産等の譲渡及び特別利益の計上に関するお知らせ (transfer of assets: all Tomoe River trademark rights to Sanzen Paper, about 300 million yen), October 28, 2021 (PDF, read in full)](https://www2.jpx.co.jp/disc/38780/140120211028418771.pdf) - [Tomoegawa Corporation: 沿革・歩み (company history: founded 1914 in present-day Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka; Tomoe River among 1980s products; renamed Tomoegawa Corporation in 2024)](https://www.tomoegawa.co.jp/corporation/history/) - [Chuetsu Pulp & Paper: グループ会社 (group companies: Sanzen Paper under paper and pulp manufacturing)](https://www.chuetsu-pulp.co.jp/company/group.html) - [Chuetsu Pulp & Paper: 沿革 (company history: founded February 1947 as Takaoka Seishi)](https://www.chuetsu-pulp.co.jp/company/history.html) - [Chuetsu Pulp & Paper, 有価証券報告書 (securities report, 110th term, to March 2026), text via EDINET DB: management participation in Sanzen from May 1989, 100% owned, purchase of Tomoegawa's ultra-lightweight paper business rights](https://edinetdb.jp/company/E00649/text) - [ほぼ日手帳マガジン: 「ほぼ日手帳2024」から ほぼ日手帳の紙が変わります。 (Hobonichi: paper changes to Tomoe River S from the 2024 edition, made by Sanzen in Kanazawa)](https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/magazine/contents/y24_techo_tomoerivers/) - [ほぼ日手帳マガジン: 新しいほぼ日手帳の紙「トモエリバーS」のこと (Hobonichi feature: stockpiling for the 2023 edition; Sanzen founded 1948; the S is for Sanzen)](https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/magazine/contents/feature_tomoerivers/ysmpngg2y.html) - [ほぼ日手帳マガジン: interview with Sanzen president Toshinori Hoshino and Kanazawa mill manager Katsuhiko Nagai (spring 2021 talks, No. 7 machine, 47 g/m² brief)](https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/magazine/contents/feature_tomoerivers/yhk835vke.html) - [ほぼ日手帳マガジン: トモエリバーSで手帳チームが試した！ (November 2023: about 5% lighter books)](https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/magazine/tt_report/202311/) - [山本紙業 (Yamamoto Paper), Japanese wholesale listing on SUPER DELIVERY: 三善トモエリバーS 52 g/m² writing pad (full production from February 2022, about 5 microns thicker)](https://www.superdelivery.com/p/r/pd_p/11205278/) - [Hunter Paper Co.: Yamamoto Paper Tomoegawa Tomoe River writing pad (last batch from Tomoegawa's No. 9 machine, ended November 2021)](https://hunterpaperco.com/products/yamamoto-paper-tomoegawa-tomoe-river-writing-pad-52gsm-a5-200-sheets) - [bungu.store: New Tomoe River FP Notebook A5 / Sakae Technical Paper](https://bungu.store/products/new-tomoe-river-fp-notebook-a5-sakae-technical-paper) - [Pulp Addiction: Sanzen Tomoe River notepad, A5 ("new updated 2023 version of Tomoe River FP")](https://pulpaddiction.com.au/products/sanzen-tomoe-river-fp-notepad-a5-100-sheet-plain-white) - [JetPens: Tomoe River S 52 gsm Loose-Leaf Paper, A5, Blank, White, 100 Sheets](https://www.jetpens.com/Tomoe-River-S-52-gsm-Loose-Leaf-Paper-A5-Blank-White-100-Sheets/pd/34674) - [The Well-Appointed Desk: Jesi answers all your questions about Tomoe River (June 3, 2021, with reader comments)](https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2021/06/jesi-answers-all-your-questions-about-tomoe-river/) - [The Gentleman Stationer: The End of Tomoe River (?) and Possible Replacements (June 4, 2021)](https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2021/6/4/the-end-of-tomoe-river-and-possible-replacements) - [The Gentleman Stationer: First impressions of the new Sanzen Tomoe River paper (May 7, 2022)](https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2022/5/7/paper-review-first-impressions-of-the-new-sanzen-tomoe-river-paper)