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The Zakka Kit Stationery Review + Coupon – February 2018

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichFeb 25, 2018 | 5 comments

The Zakka Kit box

The Zakka Kit
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The Zakka Kit is a mystery box from Neko Box that's full of 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!

overhead view inside The Zakka Kit

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

full contents for The Zakka Kit February 2018

About The Zakka Kit

The Subscription Box: The Zakka Kit

The Cost: $19.99/mo + shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: 10MAIL

The Products: You'll always receive 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!

Ships to: The US for $6.50 and Worldwide for an additional cost

Good to know: Boxes ship from Japan

The Zakka Kit February 2018 Review

info card for The Zakka Kit February 2018

The first thing you see when you open the box is the info card for the month and theme which is "Vintage". You can win $10 off by tagging them in social media photos!

info card for contents of The Zakka Kit february 2018

The reverse side has all of the month's items listed out with a short description. This month has a value of $24.50+ USD listed.

Taisho Era Real Vintage Postcard back of Taisho Era Real Vintage Postcard

Taisho Era Real Vintage Postcard

Whoa- this is really unexpected and super cool! I actually love collecting vintage postcards like this, but mostly of my hometown (Cleveland) and current place of residence (Pittsburgh). This postcard is in such great condition, I couldn't tell it was actually vintage as opposed to a "vintage-inspired" reproduction. The scenes are different for everyone, but I got one of a street with horses towing loads and a lovely pagoda-type building with a tree in the foreground. If anyone is able to tell me what the Japanese on the back says, I'd love to know if it says where this is or states the artist.

Vintage colour 365 Notebook back of Vintage colour 365 Notebook 3/4 view of Vintage colour 365 Notebook inside pages of Vintage colour 365 Notebook writing sample of Nostalic Wood OHTO Mechanical Pencil with lined page from 365 notebook writing sample of Nostalic Wood OHTO Mechanical Pencil with grid page from 365 notebook

Vintage Colour 365 A7 Notebook - Retail Value $3.28 USD (350 JPY)

This chubby notebook is just too cute! It comes with a belly band with what looks like someone perhaps at a paper press, making paper. Out of the three possibilities, I received the cream vintage color of the notebook which is filled with 380 sheets of blank special thin paper called junpakushi. The paper is not only thin but glossy and smooth on the front side, while more matte and fibrous on the other. In addition to the notebook, there is a heavier stock card (called a shitajiki) that has lines on one side and a grid on the other that you can put underneath the paper as a guide while you write. This ensures that your writing doesn't go crooked as it can do when writing on a blank page. What a considerate tool to include!

Nostalic Wood OHTO Mechanical Pencil close up of Nostalic Wood OHTO Mechanical Pencil end

OHTO Wooden Mechanical Pencil - Retail Value $4.10 (currently out of stock)

I love the look of this mechanical pencil! It's really similar to a pen I received last month in another Japanese stationery box and will make a great companion to it. There is no eraser on this one, so I will have to use one of my many separate erasers when using this in the event that I make a mistake. The body is made of a natural wood and it has a metal tip that the lead comes through as well as a metal end that you press to click out more lead. Such a nice clean design!

Midori Japan Vintage Traveler's Stickers in package 4 sheets of Midori Japan Vintage Traveler's Stickers close up of Midori Japan Vintage Traveler's Stickers

Midori Japan Vintage Traveler's Stickers

Ooooh, I love these vintage-inspired stickers that look like postage stamps! These go perfectly with the vintage postcard, although they won't get it across the country. 😉 Vintage stationery goods have a huge place in my heart and the look of these is so nostalgic and wonderful. You get 18 total stickers across the four sheets included in this set.

Junichi Nakahara Illustrated Letter Paper with woman and bow close up of Junichi Nakahara Illustrated Letter Paper with woman and bow

Illustrated Letter Paper by Junichi Nakahara

I'm not familiar with Junichi Nakahara's work but already love the vintage style he illustrates. The design I received (out of six possible) has a light blue border and features a bow on one corner and a woman with a cute haircut that looks like she's out of the 1920s with blue flowers in her hair on the opposite corner. This single sheet of paper has a lovely texture to it and will make a special letter to send a friend.

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Vintage art Papers close up of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Vintage art Papers close up of front and back of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Vintage art Papers

Vintage Art Papers by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten x 4

The info card says I should only receive 2 papers, but it looks like I lucked out and received four instead. The patterns on these Japanese textured papers are all nostalgic designs made by a Japanese brand with a 300+ year history. Holy cow. I am loving the houndstooth, polka dot, ram, and bird designs I received. I suppose I could use these for just about anything!

Shinzi Katoh x Seal Do Classic Iroha Washi Tape Shinzi Katoh x Seal Do Classic Iroha Washi Tape, unrolled

Shinzi Katoh x Seal Do Classic Iroha Washi Tape

My dear sweet beloved Shinzi Katoh! It's been a while, but I've seen some of his things popping back up lately and I am stoked. The washi tape he has designed for Seal Do is full of blue, red and gold and is apparently a classic folk design. I don't know enough about this particular one, but it looks super cute and it's unlike any other washi tape I have already! A quick search online didn't yield much to determine a value on this, but I'm happy to receive it no matter what!

sticker

Bonus Sticker

There are always some stickers kicking around my Zakka Kit each month, but this is the first time I was unable to identify what it is. It looks like a food of sorts to me, but if you know, please tell me in the comments!

Verdict: I really enjoyed this month's vintage theme for Zakka Kit. The designs were right up my alley, as I adore vintage stationery goods of all kinds. The mechanical pencil is awesome, the papers all feel very special, and the postcard was really a surprise. The stickers and notebook may have come out on top this month for me. I can't wait to put these all to good use. 

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but if you ordered by the 21st, you will receive the March box.

Coupon - Use code 10MAIL to save 10% off your first box!

Value Breakdown: At $26.49 ($19.99 + $6.50 shipping to Pittsburgh) for this box, you're paying approximately $3.78 per item (or group of items).

Check out all of the stationery subscriptions in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Did you appreciate the vintage theme of  The Zakka Kit this month too??

Starting at $19.99
Active Deal
Save 10% off your first box!
Use Coupon Code 10MAIL
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" Zakka Kit is for the creative planner, journaler or crafter who adores Japanese stationery and is always on the lookout for inspiration. Each month our team of designers curates a themed mystery kit of stickers, washi tape, pens, memo pads, art prints and more, to inspire you all month long."
Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

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5 comments

Zoe

This is such a cute box! I believe that bonus sticker is a sakuramochi (cherry blossom rice cake with a red bean paste center!). It’s usually wrapped with a picked cherry blossom leaf

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Manda

If I had to guess, its mochi wrapped in a shiso leaf with an azuki filling? Great review for a cool box!

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BB

It’s a sakura mochi with sweet bean paste. 🙂

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BRITTANY

I believe 使郵 means message or mail. Since きか is written in ひりがな, I am unsure of its meaning. The front looks like Nijojo in 京都 Kyoto.
The sticker looks like a sakura flavored mochi wrapped in a sakura leaf.

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Marne Orenich

Ohhh, thanks so much, Brittany!!

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