Hobonichi Cover Akiko Miyakoshi: An Airport at Night (A5)
The cover "An Airport at Night" was created in collaboration with Japanese children's book author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi for the Hobonichi Techo 2027 collection. The illustration is based on Miyakoshi's characteristic pencil drawings, whose finely graduated grays and quiet atmosphere are reminiscent of classical lithographs. The motif – a nighttime airport with its distinctive light and suspended moments of departure and arrival – gives the A5 cover a meditative, quietly poetic character.
Special Features
- Illustration by Akiko Miyakoshi: Miyakoshi works with pencil and a technique reminiscent of stone printing – the delicate grain and velvety-soft gray gradations on the cover are the direct result of this traditional working method.
- Butterfly Stopper Pen Holder: A pen is threaded through the holders at both ends of the cover, keeping the cover securely closed – no rubber band, no clasp; the pen itself takes on the function.
- Fit for A5 Hobonichi Books: The cover is designed for the A5 Cousin, A5 Avec, and A5 Day-Free – all three book formats fit without adjustment.
- Interior Pockets: Typical of Hobonichi covers: side slip pockets for notes, cards, or travel receipts – fitting to the motif of the nighttime airport.
Application & Tips
- Fountain Pens and Aqueous Inks: Tomoe River paper, found in Hobonichi books, responds very well to fine and medium-width nibs. The cover's underlayer additionally protects when writing through to the reverse side.
- Pencil to Match the Motif: Those who like Miyakoshi's illustration style can write in a stylistically matching manner with a soft pencil (B to 2B) on the book's pages – the graphic language then continues inside.
- Travel and Daily Planner: The airport motif suits use as a travel diary, bullet journal, or daily planner with a travel theme – boarding passes and hotel cards find space in the interior pockets.
- Compatibility: The cover can be fitted with a new Hobonichi book block each year – the cover itself remains; the book block is exchanged.
- Pen Selection for the Butterfly Stopper: Standard sizes around 10–11 mm diameter fit well. Slender fountain pens or mechanical pencils in typical pocket format function reliably as a closure.
For Illustration Enthusiasts
Akiko Miyakoshi's working method combines pencil drawing with a print aesthetic reminiscent of lithography – a process in which the grain of the drawing surface flows into the image. The cover visibly bears this texture: the gray gradations do not appear digitally smoothed but rather handmade and slightly rough in expression. Those who work themselves with pencil, graphite, or in monochromatic inks will find a visual kinship with their own practice in this cover.
Technical Specifications
| Model / Series: | Hobonichi Techo 2027 – Akiko Miyakoshi: An Airport at Night |
| Format: | A5 (compatible with Cousin, Avec, Day-Free) |
| Illustration: | Akiko Miyakoshi (pencil illustration / lithographic style) |
| Closure: | Butterfly Stopper Pen Holder |
| Origin: | Japan |
| Scope of Delivery: | Cover incl. underlayer (without book block) |
