Paperblanks Miroku Midi Hardback Journal – Lined, 176 Pages

Capture your ideas, plans and memories in this Miroku midi hardback journal from Paperblanks, with 176 lined pages of 85 gsm acid-free paper.

The artwork reproduced on this cover comes from a close-up photograph capturing the details of the Miroku Bosatsu Hanka Shiyui statue in Kyoto, Japan. Celebrated as one of Japan’s national treasures, this sculpture (also known as Maitreya Bodhisattva) reveals Maitreya as “the Loving One.”

The Story Behind the Design

At Paperblanks we believe that the simple, crucial act of producing books makes us part of a circle in which new realities can be born. Evolving from perception to fact, fact to truth and truth to reality, we experience an expansion of our consciousness. “Who Am I” is the focal question of our Going on Beyond series. We have chosen images and words that honour the intention of reader and writer to move beyond perceived limitations, within and without, into a reality that expresses the joy of interconnectedness. It is in this space of authenticity and openness that we are truly able to go beyond mind.

Inspired by ancient, contemporary and indigenous wisdom practices from various cultures that express the astonishing power and intelligence of the heart, our journals hold a space for transformative experiences. Through expressions of creative insights, sacred knowledge, sentiment and cognition, we invite you to explore the dimension of intuition not bound by time and space, paving the way to joyous living in restful awareness.

Featured on our Miroku journal cover is the Miroku Bosatsu Hanka Shiyui statue, a National Treasure at Koryu-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Koryu-ji Temple was built in 603 AD when Prince Shotoku presented Hata no Kawakatsu with a statue of the Buddha. This sculpture, also known as Maitreya Bodhisattva, is believed to belong to that period. Carved into red pine with camphorwood embellishment, this exquisite statue is one of the most beautiful “hanka-shiyui” images.

As revealed on our illustrated endpaper, Maitreya, meaning “the Loving One, the Friend,” sits in stillness as the guardian of the Teachings of the Buddha, as the Buddha “yet to come.” The promise of Maitreya is that, even when the truth of Enlightenment seems forgotten, it is still present, safe within the keeping of Maitreya, until someone looks for it with true eyes and a sincere heart. He is the “going, going, going on” of endless training, always going on beyond, always becoming Buddha. He is a metaphor for Compassion and it is believed that each of us possesses the potential to be Enlightened, revealing an innate Buddha nature during our own lifetimes.

The image gracing our cover comes from a photograph by Kenji Yamazaki, and we have used selected text from RM Koten Benson to tell the story of Miroku.

• Original artwork: Photograph of Miroku Bosatsu Hanka Shiyui statue
• Era: 7th century
• Region: Kyoto, Japan

Product Details

• Size: Midi – 120 × 170 × 20 mm
• Interior: Lined
• Pages: 176 (88 sheets)
• Paper: 85 gsm acid-free cream laid paper
• Cover: Hardback
• Closure: Elastic band
• Binding: Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable
• Corners: Rounded
• Pouch: Memento pouch
• Design: Miroku
• Series: Going on Beyond
• Satin ribbon marker
• 100% recycled binder boards
• Decorative printed cover paper
• Endpaper with credit and copyright information as well as historical background for the original artwork
• Threaded stitching and glue, as needed
• Acid-free paper
• Memento pouch
• Weight: 252 g
• Product code: PB3137-6 | ISBN: 9781439731376

About Paperblanks

Paperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts. Every book is made to last, with binder boards crafted from 100% recycled materials, and the back endpaper tells the fascinating story behind the cover design and credits its creators.