Hobonichi Cover Keiko Shibata: Bus management by Mr. and Mrs. Inoue (A6)

„Bus management by Mr. and Mrs. Inoue" is an oil pastel painting by Japanese illustrator Keiko Shibata, created for her personal gallery in 2017: a pair of dogs steer a bright red bus together across an open meadow – the scene has something still and contemplative about it. Hobonichi has printed the motif on textured polyester, which preserves the warm, thickly layered texture of the original. The finished cover features a narrow red border that frames the image like a frame and an ivory-coloured interior – a calm contrast to the vibrant exterior.

Features

• Textured polyester with subtle shimmer: The textured surface feels firm and tactile; the material is lightweight, won't crease and easily withstands daily bag wear and tear.
• Butterfly-stopper pen loops: Two opposite pen loops serve simultaneously as a closure – a pen threaded through both holds the sides together and prevents the notebook from opening. This works reliably with slim ballpoints, fineliners up to approximately 13.5 mm diameter, and slender fountain pens.
• Two bookmarks with thematic charms: The round black charms recall the wheels of the bus in the motif. One with a triangular charm, one with a square charm – allowing you to mark two positions simultaneously, such as daily planner and monthly overview.
• Inner pockets and slots: The interior offers several card pockets and slots for business cards, notes or pasted snippets. The left inner pocket bears Keiko Shibata's signature.
• Red decorative piping: The bright red edging around the outer edges is not a glued-on strip but an integral part of the construction – it reinforces the colour effect of the motif and protects the edges.

Use & Tips

• Pen selection for the butterfly-stopper: Slim fineliners, standard-format ballpoints and delicate fountain pens close the cover neatly. Pens with slip-resistant grip zones or a diameter over approximately 13.5 mm may be tight – apply a little force when inserting for the first time; the loops will become more supple over time.
• Two bookmarks, two functions: Those who use the Hobonichi as a daily planner and notebook at the same time can permanently jump between the monthly table and the current day entry with both ribbons – no flipping, no searching.
• Organise inside: Business cards, loyalty cards, pasted photos or cut washi tape strips fit in the pockets without slipping. It's worth leaving the cover on your desk – the motif makes a nice figure as desk decoration too.
• Cover-on-cover combination: The butterfly-stopper cover can be fitted with a matching cover-on-cover without affecting the closure mechanism – ideal for those who want to protect the base cover or change it seasonally.
• Compatibility: Fits all Hobonichi Techo A6 books (Original, Avec, Day-Free A6), including the English-language Original.

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

Keiko Shibata works primarily with oil pastel – a medium that produces soft transitions, rich colour fields and a slightly grainy surface structure. To transfer this quality to the cover, the motif was printed on textured (not smooth) polyester fabric: the fibre structure of the material breaks the light similarly to the paper texture of the original and gives the print a warm depth rather than a flat photographic print. The butterfly-stopper mechanism has been the standard closure system for Hobonichi since the 2003 edition and is regarded in the Techo community as an elegant solution because it requires neither rubber band nor magnet – your own pen takes on this function.

Technical Specifications