FOBA 2026 - Raluca Iancu - Japanese Stab Binding

Focus on Book Arts 2026

Raluca Iancu
Japanese Stab Binding - Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Read more about FOBA 2026 on their website!
https://focusonbookarts.org/2026-foba-conference/

Workshop Description:

This workshop will cover up to four basic bindings: Yotsume Toji (Four-Hole Binding), Kikko Toji (Tortoise Shell), Asa-no-ha Toji (Hemp Leaf), and Koki Toji (Noble Binding). During this one-day workshop, students will learn how to create traditional Japanese stab-bound books from beginning to finish, using traditional Japanese materials. The instructor will bring materials from Japan for this workshop (paper and covers).

Students will learn how to: determine grain direction for paper, fold signatures for Japanese stab-bound books, wax thread, bind different stab-binding patterns, and assemble all the elements together into a series of Japanese stab-bound books. We will explore different options for the covers (wrap-around, single, double, etc.). Students will leave this workshop with up to four blank books, each book featuring a different binding and cover style.

Materials/equipment to be provided by students:

• Bone folder
• Awl
• Pencil
• X-Acto or Olfa knife
• Metal ruler (12” or 18”)
• Glue brush (½” flat)
• Cutting mat (minimum 12” x 18”)

Optional:

• Original art (optional)