Hiroko Kubota: Twinkle-shells A5 Size (fits Cousin) - Techo Lineup

Hiroko KubotaTwinkle-shellsA5 Size (fits Cousin)

2024 New

A train runs along a track high in the gray sky. Look closely, and you'll see that the stars shining in the sky are in the shape of various seashells. A giraffe stands quietly on the ground, looking up at the sky. You can really feel the quietness of the scene.

This fantastic view, which looks to each person to have a different season, time, and place, was created by illustrator Hiroko Kubota. She brushed up a previous work of art in order to extend the story to the back of the cover as well.

The seashell-shaped stars all have their own appearances, as some have a soft glow while others are sparkling brightly.

On the back of the cover you can see a puddle where the moon has fallen, and animals playing jump rope nearby.

In order to portray the soft color scheme of the original illustration, we chose an extra-fine cover material that’s smoother to the touch than ever before. The Cousin allows users to enjoy this marvelous world on a larger scale.

The interior pockets are blue-gray, with seashell stars sparkling in a sky that’s been printed behind the pockets. The bookmark charms are also shaped like shells.

By keeping this quiet world by your side, you’ll find yourself able to calm down and self-reflect. It’s a good cover to spend the next year with.

Items that include illustrations by Kubota include techo covers, a Weeks book, and a pencil board.

*In the Hobonichi Techo 2024 lineup, the Cousin book is available as the Japanese edition and the English edition.

(The English edition is only available as the January start version.)

About Hiroko Kubota

Born 1971. Illustrator. Uses acrylic gouache etc. to draw landscapes, people, and animals.

Instagram: @hiroko_kubota

Homepage: https://kuvotahiroko.jimdofree.com/

Cherishing tranquility

Hiroko Kubota’s illustrations often evoke sounds you can almost hear. This time, she illustrated a quiet, tranquil world. The Twinkle-shells techo cover brushes up a previous work of her art. I first pursued this design because I was fascinated with the colors of the original illustration. The colors of the train running across the gray sky, the seasell stars, and images across the pale yellow ground are unrealistic, and yet they work well in the artwork. This dreamlike mysteriousness felt perfect for a cover users would carry around on a daily basis. There’s a print of the night sky on the interior of the cover that hides behind the techo book once you fit the book into the cover. I liked how wonderful it was to know it’s still there even when you can’t see it anymore.

The Weeks has a quiet image as well. The black sky and the black sea both look so chic, I love it. You can’t tell at first, but this piece actually has a ton of layers of color to it.

It was important to us to portray this quiet world—which feels vaguely lonely yet contains a warm presence—the best that we could. We worked with Kubota very closely and tried all kinds of iterations in the details, including switching out the animals, changing the placement of things, and varying the brightness of the street lights or stars in the sky.

I love the way the sparklers actually sparkle in the light when holding the techo.

Obviously, there’s a great power to Kubota’s artwork, but I think the popularity of her cover designs also comes from the rich imagination of everyone choosing these designs. These people have a good feel for the world depicted in the artwork and have a good read on it. That’s why we tried to make sure we didn’t lose any sense of silence in this design. It has a front design that connects to the back design, and we hope you can really immerse yourself in this world.

Staff List

Photographer: Styled Images: Nobuki Kawaharazaki / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist: Minami Nosaki

Hiroko KubotaTwinkle-shellsA5 Size (fits Cousin)

¥6,545 - ¥8,910(incl. tax)
¥4,180(incl. tax)

Normal

Available

Compatible Techo Books

Cousin (A5)1 page per day
Cousin Avec (A5)1 page per day 6-month book
Day-FreeMonthly notebook

[Cousin] Daily Pages (English / Japanese Version)

A daily techo with lots of space to write: This A5-size techo provides ample space on each daily page. It’s great for keeping in one place at home or at work and you can use it to track your child’s growth or exchange with someone.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 18 mm (0.7”)

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Weekly pages
Memo pages

[Cousin Avec] Daily Pages (2-Book Set)

Each 6-month daily techo is thin and light for easy carry: This techo splits the year into two 6-month books, making it easy to carry while keeping the same page design and layout as the standard edition.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 10 mm (0.4”) each

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Weekly pages
Memo pages

[Day-Free] Monthly Techo + Notebook

A monthly notebook with undated pages to write freely: This techo starts with monthly calendars and ends with undated graph paper pages so you can write whenever you want, and as much as you want.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 8 mm (0.3”)

Monthly calendar
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Graph paper notebook pages

Specifications

Cover

Size	A5 size H: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9.0" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 170 g
Main material	Exterior: Polyester / Interior: Polyester

Book (Cousin Avec / Japanese / July Start / Single 6-Month Book)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 10 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.4" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 260 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	288 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	July 2024 - June 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	June 2024 - Jan. 2025 (16 pages)
Daily Pages	July 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (190 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	July 1, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 (54 pages)
Memo Pages	5 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin English Edition / English / January Start)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.7" *Actual book size may vary slightly"
Weight	Approx. 445 g
Language	English
Pages	544 Pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Jan. 2024 - Dec 2024 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (378 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. Every two-page daily page spread includes one daily quote. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One quote per two-page spread (English)
Weekly Pages	Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 (106 pages)
Memo Pages	5 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Words to Remember / 365 Days Check-Off Sheet / Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo / Gifts / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin / Japanese / April Start)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3"" x W: 5.8"" x T: 0.7"" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 445 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	544 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Feb. 2024 - May 2025 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Apr. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2025 (377 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Apr. 1, 2024 - Apr. 6, 2025 (106 pages)
Memo Pages	6 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin / Japanese / January Start)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.7" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 445 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	544 Pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Jan. 2024 - Dec 2024 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (378 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 (106 pages)
Memo Pages	5 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin Avec / Japanese / January Start / 2-Book Set)

Size	A5 size x 2 books Each Book: H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 10 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.4" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Each Book: Approx. 260 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	Each Book: 288 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Book 1: Jan. - Dec. 2024 (4 pages) Book 2: July 2024 - June 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Book 1: Dec. 2023 - July 2024 (16 pages) Book 2: June 2024 - Jan. 2025 (16 pages)
Daily Pages	Book 1: Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024 (188 pages) Book 2: July 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (190 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Book 1: Jan. 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 (52 pages) Book 2: July 1, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 (54 pages)
Memo Pages	Book 1: 9 pages Book 2: 5 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Day-Free / Japanese / Monthly)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.3" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 220 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	224 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Jan. - Dec. 2024 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages)
Weekly Calendar	Not included
Daily Quotes	Included (Japanese)
Graph Paper	171 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Please Read Before You Buy

In order to provide you with the most satisfaction for your product, we've compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Please be sure to read this information carefully before placing your order.

Actual specifications may vary from listing: Each item is individually assembled and sewn by hand by a factory worker. Best efforts are made to ensure consistent sizes and specifications, but there may be slight differences.
Color and print may vary slightly: This material is first printed or dyed and then later sewn onto the cover. While colors are designed to be consistent, there may be uneven coloring or slight shade variances between covers. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. In addition, on rare occasions, there may be small black or white dots visible on the print. This is an unavoidable aspect of the manufacturing process.
Cover may contain variations in stitching or loose lining: Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.
Pen holders are rigid at first: The pen holders are rigid at first, making it difficult to insert pens. You can speed up the breaking-in process by rolling the pen holders in your hand.
Pen holder fits pens up to 13.5 mm wide: The pen holder is designed to perfectly fit the 12.2 mm (0.48”) diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive. Pens with certain shapes and materials may be difficult to pull through the holder. The holder can fit pens up to 13.5 mm (0.53”) in diameter.
Avoid storing in hot and humid places: Please avoid storing your product in hot, humid places or placing it atop other objects for long periods of time as this may result in lower quality and color stains.