Hobonichi Cover minä perhonen: aalto (A6)

The "aalto" cover is born from a collaboration between Hobonichi and minä perhonen – the Japanese textile and fashion brand by designer Akira Minagawa, who creates timeless, completely original fabrics that translate hand-drawn motifs into textiles through dyeing, embroidery and weaving. The name "aalto" is Finnish for "wave": using plenty of water and a flat brush, an overlapping fan of transparent watercolour arcs is created – layer upon layer, so they appear like waves extending into the distance of an endless sea. The result is a linen fabric whose surface remains calm yet in motion – something that feels different every day, depending on the light.

Features

• Watercolour fabric "aalto": The textile design captures the beauty of layered watercolour glazes – executed as smooth linen weave. The arcs are close together but not dull; the pattern has air and depth.
• Deep blue interior with contrasting ribbons: The interior is in a rich deep blue; the two page markers are yellow and grey. Yellow and grey provide a lively, fresh accent against the deep blue – a colour play that recalls sunlight on water.
• Zip with cow leather puller: The zip puller is made from natural leather and features a butterfly-shaped closure – a quiet trademark of minä perhonen that makes "perhonen" (butterfly) tangible in everyday use.
• Pen loop inside: The cover closes via zip; inside there is a pen loop that holds a pen by its clip. This keeps a fountain pen or rollerball secure and within reach, without slipping around.
• Compatibility: The cover fits all Hobonichi Techo books in A6 format – Original, Original Avec and the English Planner.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens and fineliners on Tomoe River paper: The cover itself does not directly affect writing performance – but those who combine the Techo Original or Planner with Tomoe River paper will experience how well water-based inks and fountain pens work on the delicate paper. The soft blue-white of the "aalto" pattern actively invites you to work with colour contrasts on the inside too.
• Using the pen loop: The internal pen loop is designed for clips – a slim fountain pen or a rollerball with a clip locks securely in place. Pens without a clip can alternatively be placed in the side interior pocket.
• Zip in everyday use: The all-around zip reliably protects loose notes, cards or monthly card inserts from falling out – practical for those who transport their cover in bags or rucksacks on the go.
• Caring for linen: Smooth linen surfaces are sensitive to sustained pressure and moisture. The cover should not be stored permanently under heavy objects to preserve the fabric's natural structure.

For Techo and textile enthusiasts

minä perhonen was founded in 1995 by Akira Minagawa with the aim of designing clothing that retains its appeal over time. Weaving, printing and embroidery are the central techniques of the house – design concept and manufacturing process interlock from the outset. The "aalto" pattern was not created on a computer, but with brush and watercolour: arcs were layered on top of each other with a flat brush and transparent watercolours, continuing like waves endlessly. This hand-drawing technique is typical of minä perhonen – all textiles begin with concrete sketches and drawings before they are translated into fabrics. The result is a fabric that makes every Techo cover a unique piece in the original sense: not as a marketing term, but because the watercoloured original design naturally carries blur and flow.

Technical Specifications