Hobonichi Pencil Board Naoki Ishikawa: Denali in the Midnight Sun #2 A6

The Hobonichi writing pad (Japanese: Shitajiki) in A6 features a photograph by Naoki Ishikawa – a view of the Cessna that flew him to Denali, the highest peak in North America. What makes the image so special: a fine trace of developer fluid has been preserved as a mark in the original image and is visible on the pad. Made from Yupo synthetic paper produced on a polypropylene base, the pad lies flat, stable, and pleasantly smooth beneath the page of the A6 Techo.

Features

• Yupo synthetic paper: The material made from polypropylene is dimensionally stable and does not crease – the pad remains permanently flat and provides the page with a uniformly firm writing surface even when the Techo is well-filled and the pages are uneven.
• Illustrated front side: Naoki Ishikawa's photograph "Denali in the Midnight Sun #2" – Cessna aircraft, vast light, and the visible trace of developer fluid as evidence of the analog process.
• Ruler back side: The back features a millimeter scale that can be used as a ruler for quick measurements directly in the planner.
• "Today" tab: The tab protruding at the side extends beyond the planner edge and marks the current page – allowing you to open the Techo to the correct day without flipping through pages.
• Perfect fit for A6: The dimensions 155 × 103 mm correspond exactly to the A6 format of the Hobonichi Techo Original, so the pad aligns flush with the planner.

Application & Tips

• Counteract uneven planners: If you insert business cards, tickets, or enclosures into the inner pockets, you'll quickly notice that the pages no longer lie flat. The writing pad compensates for this unevenness and provides fountain pens, fineliners, or pencils with a steady writing surface again.
• Fountain pens and pressure-sensitive nibs: Especially with soft nibs or flex nibs that respond to counter-pressure, the stable Yupo pad ensures even handwriting without show-through on the following page.
• Quick-drying refills and gel pens: Those who write with gel pens or quick-drying refills benefit from the smooth surface, which doesn't cause unwanted interruptions even with fine lines.
• Bookmark function: Simply leave the pad under the current page when closing the Techo – the "Today" tab shows the correct spot immediately when opening it next time.
• Combination with Techo cover: The pad fits perfectly in the A6 cover without slipping or protruding.

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

Naoki Ishikawa is a Japanese photographer and mountaineer who has received the Domon-Ken Prize and the award from the Photographic Society of Japan, among others. His work combines anthropology, ethnography, and extreme landscape. The photograph on this pad is not digitally edited – the visible trace of developer fluid is a genuine remnant of the analog development process and thus part of the image. Yupo synthetic paper is manufactured through a biaxial stretching process using polypropylene: this creates tiny micropores inside the material that give it an unusual matte finish and writability for plastic – while remaining dimensionally stable, moisture-resistant, and extremely tear-resistant.

Technical Specifications