Hobonichi Cover Keiko Shibata: Gentle breeze in a dandelion field (A5)

The Hobonichi Cover by Keiko Shibata 'Gentle breeze in a dandelion field' showcases an oil pastel artwork created in 2022 on textured polyester fabric – a texture that makes the warm, soft handwriting of the original palpable. A bear and cat watch in wonder as dandelion seeds drift away on a quiet night: an image world that reveals itself anew each day, because the design runs seamlessly across the front, back, pen loops and inner pockets. Compatible with the Hobonichi Cousin (A5).

Features

• Textured polyester fabric outside and inside: The slightly textured, matt surface captures the oil pastel feel of the original – neither cold nor glossy, but warm and fabric-like to the touch.
• Butterfly-stopper pen loops: Two loops hold the calendar closed as soon as a pen is threaded through – no separate closure needed. The loops fit pens up to 13.5 mm in diameter.
• Two bookmarks in white and light green: The charms are designed as a dandelion flower and seed, allowing you to mark both the daily calendar and monthly calendar simultaneously.
• Multiple inner compartments: Card slots on the inside with a printed night sky motif – perfect for business cards, notes or receipts.
• Printed original signature by Keiko Shibata on the left inner pocket.
• Continuous design: Dandelion seeds cover the back of the cover completely – the bear and cat with wide-open mouths are clearly visible.

Use & Tips

• Use the butterfly-stopper effectively: Thread a pen (up to 13.5 mm Ø) through both loops – this keeps the cover securely closed without buttons or rubber bands. Ideal for everyday transport in bags or rucksacks.
• Use both bookmarks at the same time: The white bookmark for the current daily page, the light green one for the monthly overview – making it easy to switch between both views.
• Inner pockets as a mini-organiser: Business cards, bus tickets, note slips or small photos fit in the card slots. The night sky motif makes the interior a design element in its own right.
• Care instructions: Polyester is sensitive to sustained pressure and moisture. Do not place the cover under heavy objects and store in a dry place to avoid colour changes.
• Complementary Cover on Cover: The cover is compatible with an optional Cover on Cover (sold separately), which protects the surface and provides space for postcards or your own images.

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

Keiko Shibata is known as a children's book author and illustrator. The 'Wind' series, to which this design belongs, was drawn in 2022 and was part of an exhibition at Hobonichi's own Tobichi store in Tokyo. The cover is made by hand – slight variations in colour and printing between individual copies are due to the manufacturing process and are not a quality defect, but a characteristic of handcrafted production. The polyester fabric is dyed white and then printed; the textured surface is deliberately chosen to reproduce the pasty, slightly grainy quality of oil pastels.

Technical Specifications