Stationery Day

What Is Stationery Day?

November 3rd is "Stationery Day" in Japan. It was established in 1987 by the Tokyo Stationery and Office Supplies Commercial Cooperative and others. Based on the idea that "stationery and culture have historically shared the same meaning," the day was set on November 3rd, the same date as Japan's national holiday, Culture Day.

A Day Linking Culture and Stationery

Stationery refers to the tools used at work, in offices and at school to record, process and communicate information.

• Established by: the Tokyo Stationery and Office Supplies Commercial Cooperative and others
• Year: 1987
• Why this date: because stationery and culture have long shared the same meaning, Culture Day was chosen
• Typical items: pencils, ballpoint pens, erasers, notebooks, sticky notes, scissors, rulers and staplers

The "Study" Behind the Word

The Japanese word for stationery, bunbōgu, contains bunbō, meaning a study -- a room for reading and writing. In China, scholars' studies were called bunbō (wenfang), and the tools kept there came to be called bunbōgu. Brush, ink, paper and inkstone were prized as the "Four Treasures of the Study." Japan also has other stationery-related days, such as Mechanical Pencil Lead Day (January 11), Pencil Day (May 2) and Fountain Pen Day (September 23).

Tips for Marking This Day

• Tidy your desk drawer and sort out unused stationery or dried-up pens
• Drop by a stationery shop and check out the latest products
• Write a few lines in your planner or diary with your favorite pen
• Restock or check the shared supplies at your workplace

Everyday Tools Carry a Long Cultural History

The pens and notebooks we use without a second thought stand in a long line that goes back to the "Four Treasures of the Study." On November 3rd, which is also Culture Day, take a fresh look at the stationery on your desk.