Published during the Meiji era, Bijutsukai and Shin Bijutsukai are treasured collections featuring exquisite craft designs by various pattern designers, Japanese-style painters, and talented artisans whose names may have been lost to time. These beautifully crafted books showcase the art of multicolor woodblock printing and were published by Unsodo, a distinguished Kyoto-based art publisher and the only house in Japan dedicated to producing hand-printed woodblock books.
For the cover, we’ve selected a design from Bijutsukai in a beautiful yellow color that catches the eye beautifully.
The Cousin size Bijutsukai (Wild Rabbits) features rabbits nestled in a grassy meadow, facing this way and that, as if playing a gentle game of hide-and-seek. Rabbits have been traditionally cherished as symbols of longevity and prosperity, representing the flourishing of future generations. The white and black rabbits stand out beautifully against the rich colors of yellow, orange, and verdant green.
The back pocket features a cut with a design in a subtly different shade of yellow. Vertical stripes reminiscent of wood grain intertwine with Kasuri splashed patterns, while leaves and petals seem to dance and flutter across the surface. This delightful pairing, where classical motifs blend seamlessly with imaginative design, captures the distinctive charm that makes Bijutsukai so wonderfully unique.
The “butterfly-stopper” pen holders and bookmark charms are colored to echo the plants and flowers featured in each design. The inner cover is a calming, soft beige.
The Unsodo lineup also includes a mini envelope set and a mini letter set, each designed using motifs from these beautiful illustrations.
Though these designs were created over a century ago, they remain remarkably fresh and captivating to this day. We invite you to keep them close at hand and savor the delicate yet bold interplay of colors, along with the boundless imagination they embody.
Founded in Kyoto in 1891, Unsodo is a publisher specializing in fine art. Carrying forward the traditional techniques of woodblock carving and printing, they continue to create woodblock-printed books and prints to this day.
| Size | H: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1" *Excluding pen holders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Weight | Approx. 150 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Main material | Exterior: Polyester / Interior: Polyester | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Techo Books |
Cousin | One-Page-Per-Day TypeJapanese / English![]() ![]()
Cousin Avec | One-Page-Per-Day Type (2-Book Set)Japanese![]() ![]()
Day-Free | Monthly Techo + NotebookJapanese![]() ![]()
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If you’ve used any of these products, we welcome your notes on what you like about them or what led you to buy them so we can share it with customers who are currently considering these products. We’d also love to welcome comments from customers who purchased their techo outside the Hobonichi Store or received their book as a gift.
We’ve compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Additionally, the color of the product may be slightly different in actuality than compared to how it appeared on a computer or smartphone screen.
Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.
The pen holder is designed to fit the 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive Bonus. 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.
The cover's color and print pattern are created by dyeing or printing onto white fabric. While we take care to ensure consistency during production, slight variations in color or pattern may occur between individual items. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. Minor print blurring or uneven coloring may also be present. 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.























