Keiko Shibata: Emotional Reunion with Kariya-san A5 Cousin Size - Techo Lineup

Keiko ShibataEmotional Reunion with Kariya-sanA5 Cousin Size

2025 New

We’ve turned this unique piece of art by Keiko Shibata into a Hobonichi Techo cover. “Emotional Reunion with Kariya-san” was originally drawn for Shibata’s personal art gallery held in 2017.

Kariya-san the elephant has reunited with a young girl and is holding her tightly. This single image expresses a very heartfelt story.

The design is printed onto a textured polyester material to ensure the cover retains the warm, artistic touch of the original oil pastel piece. Kariya-san’s pink color really pops against the white-washed walls. You can see the happy expressions on the two of them as they embrace.

The dark brown piping around the edges of the cover serves as a decorative frame for Shibata’s art. If you keep this cover on your desk, it’ll catch your eye and bring you some cheer.

The interior of the cover is a gentle light beige. The two bookmarks are made with faux leather with the feel of suede, and the charms at the ends are colorful beads made of wood.

The left hand pocket is printed with Keiko Shibata’s signature.

You can also purchase a Hobonichi Pencil Board for the A5 size techo. It’s printed with Keiko Shibata’s art piece “Swaying tulips.”

There are many more items in our collaboration with Keiko Shibata in the Hobonichi Techo 2025 lineup! This includes the techo covers “Bus management by Mr. and Mrs. Inoue” in A6 size and “Emotional Reunion with Kariya-san” in A5 size. There’s also a Weeks book called “Thanks for your hard work, Aoki-san.” The design “Dog Ears Fluttering in the Wind” is available on a Cover on Cover, which fits over a Hobonichi Techo A6 or A5 cover, and the Clear Cover, which fits over a Weeks book. The Hobonichi Paper(s) notebook has a cover with the design “Ueda-san’s summer of hugs.” Also available with prints by Keiko Shibata are the Hobonichi Pencil Board and a graph paper notebook, which continue from last year’s lineup. These all help expand the unique and charming world of Keiko Shibata!

In the Hobonichi Techo 2025 lineup, the Cousin book comes in either English or Japanese.

*The English book is only available as the January-start version.

About Keiko Shibata

Born in Kochi prefecture. Picture book works include the Meganeko series (Tegamisha), the SHIROKUMA series (PHP Institute), and the PANDOROBOU “Bread Thief” series (KADOKAWA).

Keiko Shibata Official Website

A Conversation between Keiko Shibata and Shigesato Itoi (Hobonichi)

They may have unique names, but check their expressions, too

Our Keiko Shibata collaboration collection was very popular in our Hobonichi Techo 2024 Spring lineup, and we’ve chosen some previous works from a personal art gallery for further products. These unique works include “Bus management by Mr. and Mrs. Inoue,” “Emotional Reunion with Kariya-san,” and “Thanks for your hard work, Aoki-san” which had characters in each piece with an identified last name, and the names were all lined up in alphabetical order. Each scene also appears to have a story behind it. The expressions on the characters’ faces are also indescribably cute.

Keiko Shibata mainly uses oil pastel for her artwork. The colors have a warmth to them that we’ve made sure to preserve when printing them onto the covers, so we encourage you to really observe these details.

Each techo cover has bookmark materials and charms that match the design of the cover.

We’ve also created a Cover on Cover and Paper(s) notebook with Shibata’s art on them so users can enjoy her unique and playful art on our staple accessories and bring it everywhere they go.

Introduction to the Keiko Shibata series products

(Hobonichi Techo 2025 lineup)

Staff List

Photographer: Styled Images: Nobuki Kawaharazaki / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist: Minami Nosaki
Makeup & Hair: Daisuke Yamada (Cake.)
Model: REIA (NUMBER EIGHT MODELS)

Keiko ShibataEmotional Reunion with Kariya-sanA5 Cousin Size

¥7,480 - ¥9,130(incl. tax)
¥4,180(incl. tax)

Normal

Available

Compatible Techo Books

Cousin (A5)1 page per day
Cousin Avec (A5)1 page per day 6-month book
Day-FreeMonthly notebook

[Cousin] Daily Pages (English / Japanese Version)

A daily techo with lots of space to write: This A5-size techo provides ample space on each daily page. It’s great for keeping in one place at home or at work and you can use it to track your child’s growth or exchange with someone.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 18 mm (0.7”)

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Weekly pages
Memo pages

[Cousin Avec] Daily Pages (2-Book Set)

Each 6-month daily techo is thin and light for easy carry: This techo splits the year into two 6-month books, making it easy to carry while keeping the same page design and layout as the standard edition.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 10 mm (0.4”) each

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Weekly pages
Memo pages

[Day-Free] Monthly Techo + Notebook

A monthly notebook with undated pages to write freely: This techo starts with monthly calendars and ends with undated graph paper pages so you can write whenever you want, and as much as you want.

Monday-start
A5 size
Thickness: 8 mm (0.3”)

Monthly calendar
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Graph paper notebook pages

Specifications

Cover

Size	H: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1" Excluding pen holders Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 170 g
Main material	Exterior: Polyester / Interior: Polyester

Book (Cousin English Edition / English / January Start)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3"" x W: 5.8"" x T: 0.7"" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 445 g
Language	English
Pages	544 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2024, 2025, 2026
Yearly Index	Jan. 2025 - Dec 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2024 - Mar. 2026 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025 (377 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. Every two-page spread includes one daily quote. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One quote per two-page spread (English)
Weekly Pages	Dec 30, 2024 - Jan 4, 2026 (106 pages)
Memo Pages	6 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Sample Symbols and Icons / How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary / Oodles of Noodles / Words to Remember / 365 Days Check-Off Sheet / Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo / Gifts / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin / Japanese / January Start)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3"" x W: 5.8"" x T: 0.7"" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 445 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	544 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2024, 2025, 2026
Yearly Index	Jan. 2025 - Dec 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2024 - Mar. 2026 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025 (377 pages) A blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Dec 30, 2024 - Jan 4, 2026 (106 pages)
Memo Pages	6 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Sample Symbols and Icons / How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary / Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Cousin Avec / Japanese / January Start / 2-Book Set)

Size	A5 size x 2 books Each Book: H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 10 mm / H: 8.3"" x W: 5.8"" x T: 0.4"" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Each Book: Approx. 260 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	Each Book: 288 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2024, 2025, 2026
Yearly Index	Book 1: Jan. - Dec. 2025 (4 pages) Book 2: Jul. 2025 - Jun. 2026 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Book 1: Dec. 2024 - Jul. 2025 (16 pages) Book 2: Jun. 2025 - Jan. 2026 (16 pages)
Daily Pages	Book 1: Jan. 1 - Jun. 30, 2025 (187 pages) Book 2: Jul. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025 (190 pages) A blank two-page spread (three pages for Book 2) is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. All daily pages include daily quotes. Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Book 1: Dec. 30, 2024 - Jul. 6, 2025 (54 pages) Book 2: Jun. 30, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026 (54 pages)
Memo Pages	Book 1: 8 pages Book 2: 4 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Sample Symbols and Icons / How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary / Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Book (Day-Free A5 size / Japanese / Monthly)

Size	A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm / H: 8.3"" x W: 5.8"" x T: 0.3"" *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 220 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	224 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2024, 2025, 2026
Yearly Index	Jan. - Dec. 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Dec. 2024 - Mar. 2026 (32 pages)
Daily Quotes	Included (Japanese)
Graph Paper	171 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Sample Symbols and Icons / How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary / Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses (for 8 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (Full and new moon listed on monthly calendars)
Other	See the Exploring Each Type page for more details

Please Read Before You Buy

In order to provide you with the most satisfaction for your product, we've compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Please be sure to read this information carefully before placing your order.

Actual specifications may vary from listing: Each item is individually assembled and sewn by hand by a factory worker. Best efforts are made to ensure consistent sizes and specifications, but there may be slight differences.
Color and print may vary slightly: This material is first printed or dyed and then later sewn onto the cover. While colors are designed to be consistent, there may be uneven coloring or slight shade variances between covers. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. In addition, on rare occasions, there may be small black or white dots visible on the print. This is an unavoidable aspect of the manufacturing process.
Cover may contain variations in stitching or loose lining: Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.
Pen holders are rigid at first: The pen holders are rigid at first, making it difficult to insert pens. You can speed up the breaking-in process by rolling the pen holders in your hand.

Pen holder fits pens up to 13.5 mm wide: The pen holder is designed to perfectly fit the 12.2 mm (0.48”) diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive. Pens with certain shapes and materials may be difficult to pull through the holder. The holder can fit pens up to 13.5 mm (0.53”) in diameter.
Avoid storing in hot and humid places: Please avoid storing your product in hot, humid places or placing it atop other objects for long periods of time as this may result in lower quality and color stains.
Not for use with Cover on Cover: This cover uses thicker materials than usual, so it may not fit. Forcing it into a Cover on Cover may damage the products.

User recommendations

If you’ve used any of these products, we welcome your notes on what you like about them or what led you to buy them so we can share it with customers who are currently considering these products. We’d also love to welcome comments from customers who purchased their techo outside the Hobonichi Store or received their book as a gift.

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