Hobonichi has turned this unique piece of art by Keiko Shibata into a Hobonichi Techo cover. “Thanks for your hard work, Aoki-san” was originally drawn for Shibata’s personal art gallery held in 2017.

The year 2025 is foil-pressed in metallic red on the surface of the cover. It’s imprinted onto a red background, and you can see it glint in the light.

Aoki-san is a cat with great discipline and takes a bow. Behind him is a pond. You can sense a camaraderie between the two characters in this scene. This oil pastel artwork has a warm feel.The cover has a glossy finish so you can enjoy the colors.

The back is printed with an image of Keiko Shibata’s signature.

The book uses thin and light yet durable Tomoe River paper. This paper that underwent an overhaul with the 2024 edition techo is more resistant to bleed through, lighter despite being the same thickness, and has a smoother surface by adjusting the fibers of the paper.

The Weeks book has space for writing in plans or journal entries, and it also has 69 pages of grid paper memo pages in the back (73 pages in the English edition). The back of the book contains bonus pages, including Sample Symbols and Icons and Oodles of Noodles. 

English Language type

January Start

188 H x 94 W x 10 mm thickness/ H: 7.4" x W: 3.7" x T: 0.4"

weighs approx 134 g