Midori MD Memo Block (Blank/Lined/Grid)

The Midori MD Memo Block is a 500-sheet desktop memo block built around the same cream-toned MD Paper that the brand develops in-house for its notebooks. It comes in three rulings, so you can pick the surface that matches how you think: completely blank for unstructured notes and sketching, a 7mm horizontal ruling in light grey, or a 5mm grid in pale blue. In each version the ruling sits quietly under your writing rather than competing with it, which is the point of MD PRODUCT's design approach of refinement by subtraction.

For fountain-pen users, the appeal is in how this paper handles wet ink. MD Paper is an uncoated, wood-pulp stock at roughly 80 g/m² (Midori notes the weight can vary by about 10 percent, so a given pad may run closer to 70 gsm). Feathering and bleed-through are close to non-existent, and because the surface absorbs ink at a moderate rate, lines stay crisp while drying time stays medium and noticeably quicker than something like Tomoe River, which keeps smudging down for fast note-takers. The paper still shows real sheen and shading, and ghosting on the reverse is moderate and rarely a problem for single-sided notes. The writing feel sits between smooth and lightly toothed, with enough texture to give the nib contact without dragging, and the warm cream ivory tone is easy on the eyes and does not distort ink colors.

What sets the block apart is the binding: it is glued along the top edge only, so each sheet tears away cleanly when you want to file a note or hand it off, making it a tear-off pad rather than a bound book. Made in Japan, it measures a compact 4-inch cube and weighs about 408g, dense enough to write on in the hand yet small enough to live on a desk corner, in a bag, or in a drawer.

Browse more Japanese notebooks or see the full range of Midori notebooks and journals.

Details

• Size: 3.9" × 3.9" × 2.0" (100 mm × 100 mm × 51 mm), cube block
• Sheets: 500 per pad
• Ruling: Blank, Lined (7mm light grey), or Grid (5mm light blue)
• Paper: MD Paper, cream-toned wood pulp
• Paper Weight: 80 g/m² (varies up to about 10%)
• Binding: Glued along the top edge only; sheets tear off cleanly
• Weight: 14.4 oz (408 g)
• Brand: Midori (MD PRODUCT)

Discover Midori: The Brand Behind the MD Notebook

Midori, founded in 1950 in Japan, began its journey by producing letter paper and envelopes. Now surpassing over 70 years in the industry, it stands as a venerable brand in stationery. The name "Midori," meaning green in Japanese, was inspired by the resilience and vitality of weeds spreading their green leaves in the post-war desolation, symbolizing growth and hope.

With the concept of "adding color to life," Midori has captured the hearts of fans worldwide through its exceptional design and quality. They view the paper as a vital tool for "conveying feelings," dedicating relentless effort to enhance quality. The MD Notebook, a flagship product, is a testament to this pursuit. Developed with an unwavering focus on writing comfort, it offers an exceptionally smooth writing experience.

Today, Midori has become a symbol of Japanese stationery, deeply ingrained in the culture. If you have yet to explore Japanese stationery, Midori's products are a perfect starting point, inviting you to experience a piece of this rich tradition.