The MD will see you now

OK, it's new product time! Also, it's Japanese, and minimalist, and plays nicely with fountain pens. And there's a fair chance you've never heard of 'em. 

MD, you see, likes to fly under the radar. It doesn't make a lot of fuss, but quietly pops up in surprising places like Japanese restaurants and artistic emporia, where it is snapped-up by the cognoscenti. 

The company is rather tight-lipped about what MD stands for, although it's probably not 'Managing Director'. There seems a reasonable likelihood that it's a short-form of Midori, which itself is somewhat runic, indicating as it does freshness, purity, green shoots and all that vernal sort of thing. Fine in the southern hemisphere, and perhaps a bit confusing up here where autumn has brought snow, but we'll let that pass. Whatever it originally meant, it's short-hand for understated high quality now.

If you're searching for a bracket to put MD's range of products in, the nearest brand is probably Life; gentle visual design, sturdy bindings, amazingly good paper. Costs a bit, but worth it for something that really works.

The compelling thing about MD paper, for most of us, is the way it works with a fountain pen, which is up there with the best. A sample has found its way to the atelier and will be tested with the wettest inks and gushiest nibs available - see the next report for results. 

In the meantime, beware that Nero's supply will sell out quickly. In A5 size, £10.50 for a three-pack is a decent bargain. Snap 'em up!