Tomitaro Makino: Koshinso A5 Cousin Size - Techo Lineup

Tomitaro MakinoKoshinsoA5 Cousin Size

We now have the A5 size techo cover of Koshinso, the botanical illustration drawn by botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino in 1901. You can take joy in Dr. Makino’s botanical illustration in a larger size.

Koshinso, painted in watercolor, is a perennial insectivorous plant that grows on wet rocks of the mountains in the north of the Kanto region. It was given its Japanese name after being discovered in Mt. Koshin in Tochigi Prefecture.

The botanical illustration drawn over 120 years ago on June 30, 1901, delicately depicts the light purple flowers arranged horizontally and the stems that grow out from the flowers and warp back. Unusually for Dr. Makino's botanical illustrations, the background is painted in black.

For the A5 size cover, a lovely blooming Koshinso flower is ink-jet printed on ecru-colored cotton fabric. The matte texture is applied even to the edges of the original drawing, reflecting the atmosphere of the botanical illustrations drawn by Dr. Makino.

Each of the two thin bookmarks is in a different color, one in light purple and the other in light green inspired by the Koshinso flower and stem. The tips are cut diagonally.

Peek inside the outer back pocket and you will find a hidden message, “There isn’t any grass without a name. ―Tomitaro Makino.” This is an English translation of the words of Dr. Makino, showing how plant loving he was.

There are no interior pockets for this cover, to make the techo even more compact. It has a pen hook designed to hold a pen by its clip.

Written at the bottom of the cover interior is “Pinguicula ramosa,” the scientific name for Koshinso.

We hope you write down many of the joys you find in your daily life just like Dr. Makino, who loved, carefully observed, and drew a vast number of illustrations for plants.

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 Botanist Tomitaro Makino

Born April 24, 1862 in present-day Sakawa Town, Kochi Prefecture. Raised in the rich natural surroundings of Tosa City, he began to study botany independently as a young child. Moved to Tokyo and devoted himself to botanical research through the Department of Botany at Tokyo University’s Faculty of Science.
Founded “The Botanical Magazine” with a close friend; they collaborated to publish their discovery of the flowering plant Yamatogusa in 1889. Collected over 400,000 specimens during his 94-year lifespan, and named over 1,500 discovered species. Known as the “Father of Japanese Botany.”

Information provided by the Makino Botanical Garden.

You can have Dr. Tomitaro Makino’s botanical illustrations in a variety of sizes!

Thanks to our users who have made them so popular, we now have the fifth series of designs in collaboration with Dr. Tomitaro Makino’s botanical illustrations.

The Koshinso cover, initially designed for Hobonichi Techo 2023 Spring, is now available in an A5 size. We changed the design and printing format to accommodate the larger size; the Original size is silk-screened to give it a fresh, glossy look, while the A5 size is ink-jetted to create a precise, matte texture.

For HON, that has joined the lineup for this edition, we selected “Yamazakura,” one of Dr. Makino’s best-known works. The design has been well received in the Weeks books and plain notebooks, and we are sure that it would keep you in a happy mood to spend your days with a techo featuring cherry blossoms.

The “Shihai Sumire” botanical illustration was chosen for the Weeks cover. A plant named by Dr. Makino himself, it must have had close connections with him as a native of Kochi Prefecture. The key feature of this illustration is “daintiness,” which is different from the botanical illustrations selected in the past covers.

Now that the Hobonichi Pencil Board also comes in an A5 size with his work, you can carry Dr. Makino’s botanical illustration with any book of your choice. “Korogi-ran” is a small orchid that blooms in Kochi Prefecture. The vivid yellow-green color of the leaves and stems and the coloring of the flowers, layered with pale pink and reddish purple, are beautiful and very pleasing.

Staff List

Photographer: Styled Images: Eri Morikawa / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist: Noriko Miyazaki

Tomitaro MakinoKoshinsoA5 Cousin Size

¥8,360 - ¥10,010(incl. tax)
¥5,060(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: 222 x W: 323 x T: 3 mm / H: 8.7" x W: 12.7" x T: 0.1" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 80 g
Main material	Exterior: Cotton / 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.
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.

Silk printed image may peel off over time: The silk print may eventually peel or come off with daily use. If using a Cover on Cover, the silk print may stick to the plastic and eventually come off with it from the constant contact.
Material may weaken over time: The material coating, tape, plastic, and other parts of this cover may weaken as the product ages over time.
Cannot be used with Cover on Cover: Because this cover has different specifications as to the standard techo cover, it cannot be used with the Cover on Cover.

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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