Hobonichi Cover Keiko Shibata: Emotional Reunion with Kariya-san (A5)

This cover for the Hobonichi Cousin A5 bears an image that you won't forget quickly: Kariya-san, a pink elephant, holds a girl firmly in her arms – a scene full of warmth and narrative depth. The motif comes from Japanese illustrator Keiko Shibata, who works primarily with oil pastels, and has been printed on textured polyester that preservingly retains the characteristic grain and warmth of the original. A dark brown piping frames the image like a mat, and the green background lets Kariya-san's pink glow shine through.

Special Features

• Oil Pastel Character on Polyester: The motif was specially transferred to the textured material in such a way that the warm, slightly grainy appearance of the oil pastel original is preserved – when you look at it, it appears like a print on canvas, not like a smooth plastic cover.
• Dark Brown Piping: Frames the motif all around and gives the cover a clear, pictorial contour – the cover looks like a displayed artwork, even on a desk.
• Butterfly Stopper Pen Holder: Two pen loops on front and back – a pen threaded through both closes the cover securely, without a clasp or rubber band. Fits pens up to 13.5 mm in diameter.
• Light Beige Interior Lining: Calm, warm interior color that doesn't compete with the vibrant exterior motif and draws attention to the pages.
• Left Interior Pocket with Keiko Shibata's Signature: A small detail that makes the collaboration with the artist visible.
• Two Bookmark Ribbons: Made of faux leather with suede-like feel, finished with colorful wooden beads as charms – matching the playful character of the motif.
• Pockets Inside and Outside: For cards, notes, and small essentials – a functional everyday companion without compromises on looks.

Application & Tips

• Inserting the Hobonichi Cousin A5: Open the cover until the front and back covers touch, then insert the front and back covers of the book simultaneously – this allows the binding to be inserted gently without bending the book cover.
• Pen as Closure: Thread a pen through both pen loops – this keeps the cover securely closed in your backpack or bag and protects the pages from bending. Pens with square cross-sections or very textured surfaces may be harder to insert; round, smooth pens slide in more easily.
• Displayed on the Desk: The cover is intentionally designed as an eye-catcher – an open or half-open Hobonichi with this motif on your desk looks like a small displayed artwork.
• Compatible with Pencil Board A5: The matching pencil board with Keiko Shibata's motif "Swaying Tulips" is available separately and provides a pleasantly firm surface for writing directly under the current page.
• Care: Wipe polyester surfaces with motif dry or slightly damp; do not use solvents or aggressive cleaners. Do not store permanently under heavy objects, as this can stress the motif.

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

The motif was originally created in 2017 for Keiko Shibata's personal gallery exhibition – it is part of a series of works in which each scene shows characters with surnames, arranged alphabetically, and each tells a small story on its own. Keiko Shibata works primarily with oil pastels; the characteristic pigment density and slightly rough color application of the original require special care when printing on textile materials to preserve color values and surface character. Hobonichi has transferred the motif to textured polyester, which meets this requirement: the fabric structure breaks up the printed image similar to the paper of a pastel drawing and creates a tactile depth that smooth calendered surfaces would not achieve. The cover opens completely flat by 180 degrees – the seam may warp slightly at the outer corners during manufacturing, which is described by the manufacturer as material-related and does not affect the character of the cover.

Technical Specifications