Hobonichi Cover Makoto Matsubayashi: Pink Flowers (A5)
A Techo cover born from a drawing by printmaker Makoto Matsubayashi: a large, blooming flower rendered in free chalk strokes on luminous pink. The smooth polyester fabric feels light and cool in the hand — the print in white and silver faithfully reproduces the lively, irregular line work of the original, down to the fine irregularities of the hand-drawn contours. The cover fits the Hobonichi Techo Cousin in A5 format.
Features
- Chalk drawing as textile print: Matsubayashi's original flower has been printed in white ink on pink-dyed polyester fabric; silver lines run across the surface and preserve the handmade quality of the original — including the slightly uneven brushwork.
- Butterfly pen holder: Two pen loops allow a single writing instrument to thread through both loops, keeping the cover securely closed. The holder accommodates pens up to 13.5 mm in diameter.
- Two bookmark ribbons with charms: One of the two charms also features a flower by Matsubayashi, coordinated in the same pink as the cover.
- Rear exterior pocket: Flat pocket for cards, note sheets or postcards — accessible without opening the cover.
- Consistent colour scheme inside: The vibrant pink continues throughout the interior lining; the right inner side features two additional white-printed flowers by Matsubayashi.
- Handcrafted in Japan: All Hobonichi covers are made by hand — slight variations in the print or colour intensity between individual pieces are normal and due to the production process.
Use & Tips
- Fits Techo Cousin (A5): The cover accommodates A5 books with a spine of up to approximately 13 mm; slightly thicker books will also fit, but more snugly.
- Pen compatibility: Round pens and ballpoints up to 13.5 mm in diameter fit comfortably. Pens with ridged or rubberised grips are harder to thread through the loops — a slim fineliner or classic ballpoint works most smoothly.
- Cover on Cover: To protect the fabric from scuffing or stains, you can place a transparent Hobonichi Cover on Cover over it — this also leaves room for photos, stickers and postcards between the layers.
- Coordinated setup: The "Pink Flowers" motif is part of a larger Matsubayashi collection for 2026, for which matching postcards and further accessories are available.
- Breaking in the loops: The pen loops may feel stiff at first — after a few weeks of use, they become more pliable.
For Hobonichi Enthusiasts
Makoto Matsubayashi, born in 1962 in Kochi City, is a printmaker and visual artist. After studying printmaking at the Sokei Academy of Fine Art & Design, he began his artistic practice in Kochi in 1991, won the main prize of "The Choice" awards in 1995, and spent a working year at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris in 2000. His works are regularly shown in galleries and art museums in Japan and Taipei. For Hobonichi, he translates his characteristic free chalk strokes onto textile: the printing technique reproduces not only the motif but also the characteristic irregularities of the line — the tremor, the fading, the lively handwriting of the original.
Technical Specifications
| Model / Series: | Makoto Matsubayashi: Pink Flowers – Cousin (A5) Techo Cover |
| Format: | A5 (fits Hobonichi Techo Cousin) |
| Dimensions (open): | 228 × 337 × 3 mm |
| Material: | Polyester (smooth weave), printed with white ink and silver lines on pink-dyed base |
| Pen holder diameter (max.): | 13.5 mm |
| Bookmarks: | 2 ribbons with charms (one featuring a flower charm by Matsubayashi in pink) |
| Pockets: | Rear exterior pocket, interior pockets |
| Origin: | Japan (Hobonichi), handcrafted |
| Scope of delivery: | Cover only (without Techo book) |
