The Tower of the Sun monument was erected for the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka and stands about 70 meters tall. It remains to this day as a powerful presence in the Osaka Expo Park and is one of Taro Okamoto’s most famous works. The tower is regarded as a symbol of the energy of all things generated through the past, present, and future, and also the center of life. The Golden Mask, which shines at the top of the tower, is featured on the techo cover.
Photo by: Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum
This sparkling gold techo cover has a large image of the Golden Mask. The black sections are embossed to give it texture.
The back of the cover is also embossed with organic lines featured on the body of the tower. It’s mysterious how even this one single line can convey the style of Taro Okamoto.
When you open the cover, you can see the full view of the Tower of the Sun on the inside. Having the tower’s overpowering shape printed inside the cover makes it feel like there’s a powerful energy harnessed inside this cover, even when shut.
The interior pocket shows the Black Sun from the back of the tower, which symbolizes the past. It is printed with glossy black ink on black fabric.
The gold bookmark charms are shaped like the Tower of the Sun.
The Tower of the Sun contains three faces, and the Golden Mask is said to represent the future. With this cover, you can engrave your own future into your techo.
*In the Hobonichi Techo 2024 lineup, the Cousin book is available as the Japanese edition and the English edition.
(The English edition is only available as the January start version.)
Taro Okamoto moved to Paris in 1929 at 18, where he participated in core organizations of the abstract art movement, and also gained invaluable experience by immersing himself in ethnographic studies at the University of Paris. After returning to Japan in 1940, he developed his avant-garde art in postwar Japan and produced a series of controversial artworks. In 1951, Okamoto first encountered Jomon pottery. He traveled throughout Japan in the late 1950s and created a number of photographs and essays. He designed the Tower of the Sun for the 1970 Osaka World Expo and became a well-known national figure. Even after his death in 1996, he continues to have a great influence on the younger generation.
Size | A5 size H: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9.0" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1" *Specifications may vary slightly |
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Weight | Approx. 170 g |
Main material | Exterior: PU / Interior: PU |
Size | A5 size 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 |
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Weight | Approx. 260 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | 288 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | July 2024 - June 2025 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | June 2024 - Jan. 2025 (16 pages) |
Daily Pages | July 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (190 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book 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 | July 1, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 (54 pages) |
Memo Pages | 5 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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" |
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Weight | Approx. 445 g |
Language | English |
Pages | 544 Pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | Jan. 2024 - Dec 2024 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (378 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book 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 daily 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 | Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 (106 pages) |
Memo Pages | 5 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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 |
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Weight | Approx. 445 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | 544 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2025 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Feb. 2024 - May 2025 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Apr. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2025 (377 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book 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 | Apr. 1, 2024 - Apr. 6, 2025 (106 pages) |
Memo Pages | 6 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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 S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | Jan. 2024 - Dec 2024 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (378 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book 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 | Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 (106 pages) |
Memo Pages | 5 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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 |
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Weight | Each Book: Approx. 260 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | Each Book: 288 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | Book 1: Jan. - Dec. 2024 (4 pages) Book 2: July 2024 - June 2025 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Book 1: Dec. 2023 - July 2024 (16 pages) Book 2: June 2024 - Jan. 2025 (16 pages) |
Daily Pages | Book 1: Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024 (188 pages) Book 2: July 1 - Dec. 31, 2024 (190 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book 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: Jan. 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 (52 pages) Book 2: July 1, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 (54 pages) |
Memo Pages | Book 1: 9 pages Book 2: 5 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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 |
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Weight | Approx. 220 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | 224 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Yearly Index | Jan. - Dec. 2024 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2023 - Mar. 2025 (32 pages) |
Weekly Calendar | Not included |
Daily Quotes | Included (Japanese) |
Graph Paper | 171 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / 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 |
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.
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.
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.
Letting the product sit against printed material or vinyl surfaces may result in transfers of the print and other damage.
Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.
This cover uses thicker materials than usual, so it may not fit. Forcing it into a Cover on Cover may damage the products.
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.
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.
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.