Hobonichi Desk Pad Akiko Miyakoshi: In the Air (A5)

The Hobonichi Pencil Board "In the Air" features an illustration by Japanese author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi – a quiet, atmospheric work that captures her longing for travel and adventure through imagery. The sturdy underlayment made of Yupo synthetic paper is precisely cut to fit the A5 format of the Hobonichi Techo (Cousin) and sits securely in the notebook. The reverse is in deep navy blue and carries an altogether different, peaceful mood.

Features

• Precision fit for the Hobonichi Techo A5 (Cousin format) – the board lies flat and won't slip while writing
• Yupo synthetic paper material: slightly stiff, smooth surface, gently water-resistant – your pen glides evenly without catching
• Protects the pages beneath from indentations caused by ballpoints, fountain pens or pencils – especially important for Hobonichi's featherlight Tomoe River paper, which readily shows impression marks on subsequent pages
• "Today" tab at the corner: protrudes from the closed notebook and doubles as a bookmark for the current page
• Double-sided: front features Miyakoshi's "In the Air" illustration, reverse in solid navy blue – flip as needed
• Edge marking in millimetres: one side of the board is scaled as a metric ruler
• Illustration by Akiko Miyakoshi: Japanese author and illustrator whose work in charcoal, pencil and gouache develops a distinctively quiet, atmospheric visual language

Use & Tips

• Simply place the board under the current page of your A5 Techo – the "Today" tab appears at the top of the notebook and makes the current page instantly findable, even when the Techo is closed
• If you write with a stub nib, glass pen or soft pencil and press firmly, you'll notice real benefits: pressure distributes evenly, lines appear more defined
• The navy blue reverse serves as a neutral underlayment when you don't want the illustration showing through the paper – for example when pasting photos or working with washi tape
• The millimetre scale along the edge is handy for quick measuring without a separate ruler – such as when dividing daily pages into columns or drawing frames
• The board can also be used in other A5-format notebooks with similar dimensions – as a universal writing underlayment for on the go

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

The Tomoe River paper in the Hobonichi Techo is exceptionally thin at around 52 g/m² – transparent enough to write on both sides, yet prone to showing impression marks. A Pencil Board is therefore not a luxury accessory but a functional tool – particularly for anyone writing with a ballpoint, fountain pen or glass pen. The board's Yupo synthetic paper is not only dimensionally stable but also slightly water-resistant, making it more durable in everyday use than conventional paper inserts. Akiko Miyakoshi's illustration style – shaped by charcoal, pencil and gouache, along with masterful treatment of light and shadow – makes the front side an image that remains present when you open your Techo daily without overwhelming the page.

Technical Specifications