A letter set is one of the few things that improves simply by being nice to look at, since the person opening it sees it too. The paper is covered in a chain of small animal characters in folk costumes holding hands, the kind of image that looks like a celebration in a country you've never been to but would very much like to visit. This one is by the Japanese illustrator Aiko Fukawa, whose work has a soft, warm, slightly wistful quality that suits a letter rather well. It is printed on Mino washi, a paper made in Gifu for over a thousand years and still a pleasure to write on. Twelve sheets and four envelopes, which is enough for a few short letters or one very long one.

• 12 sheets and 4 envelopes
• Mino washi paper
• 7.12" x 5.7"
• Made in Japan