Bijutsukai and Shin Bijutsukai are craft design books published during the Meiji period (1868–1912). Both contain beautiful designs created by various Japanese painters and designers. This collection of multicolored woodblock print designs was published by Unsodo, a Kyoto-based art publishing company and the only publisher of hand-printed woodblock books in Japan.

We created a HON book with the craft design selected from Bijutsukai.

Red, blue, white, yellow, green, and purple. The bright stripes catch your eye.  Notice the year 2025 is embossed in gold✨

The combination of contrasting colors and shapes of the vivid, straight rainbows and the pure white, softly curved mountains is pleasing to the eye and something you can always enjoy. Looking closely, you will find the irregular widths and fluctuating borders heartwarming. The depth of the design makes it seem like a fairy tale scene.

The bookbinding on the HON has thread-stitch binding similar to the Hobonichi Techo Original, so it opens 180 degrees onto the table. It stays flat even if you don’t hold it down.

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 back of the book has bonus pages, including Sample Symbols and Icons, How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary, and Oodles of Noodles. 

As a special exclusive only for the HON, this techo comes with a pencil board. The board is A6 size and clear, with 5mm grid lines printed across it. There are measurements printed along one side in 1mm increments, which allow for use as a ruler. It also has a pen holder attached to it where users can store pens by their clips. 

A6 size
H: 156 x W: 110 x T: 17 mm / H: 6.1" x W: 4.3" x T: 0.7"
*Specifications may vary slightly

Hon/ English edition January start

Made in Japan