3 Types of Binding

Yotsume toji

These are also known as pouch books because they are folded at the fore edge and sewn at the back edge, forming a pouch. The pages are first folded with the writing on the outside of the fold. The open ends of the paper are then sew with an inner binding to hold the paper together while the binding operation takes place, and to keep the book together if the binding proper falls apart. The outer binding is used by making 4 holes (for the more common Chinese version, or 5 for the Korean), and then sewn in the pattern observed to the left. The ends of the thread are secured with glue or can be tied in the more western fashion.

Orihon

This is the accordian or butterfly styled book. A long strip of paper, or pieces glued together are folded like an accordian. There is no real definite front or back of the book with this style, so the pages may have writing on both the back and front to utilize the space.

Retchoso

More commonly known as a multisectioned book is unique to Japan. The pages are folded into section or folios, and are then sewn together. Although, rather then stiching through small holes, the string is passed through small lateral slits. This allows the pages to lie flat when opened.

Daifuko cho

The Daifuko cho was used by merchants or inn keepers as a ledger, or as a travel diary. The pages were folded half lenthwise and then half again, to give them a double thickness and more strength. They were then stacked inside each other forming three piles of about 15 pages each. Two holes are created, and the pages are sewn through the hole and around the side. The two side are then tied together and often unbraided to create a tassle as shown to the left. When used by accountants the books were often tied closed with hemp for security reasons.