*While the piece, covers were previously available through lottery sales, starting this year, they will be available through normal sales. Please note that they are only available for sale through the Hobonichi Store and will not be available at Tobichi Tokyo, Kyoto and other stores.
minä perhonen creates timeless, all-original garment textiles that are specially dyed, embroidered, and woven to recreate hand-drawn designs.
piece, is a series of patchwork covers assembled by hand using all the left-over pieces saved during the production of clothing. The union of meticulously created textiles of various colors, fabrics, and styles gives the design a completely new look.
Cousin Mix is a union of ten different fabrics. With the 2023-24 Autumn / Winter fabrics such as “fruitree,” “hanaha,” and “village,” it has become a lively and heartwarming combination. We hope you enjoy each fabric’s different feels and textures, including the pile fabric’s touch and uneven embroidery.
The cover interior is made from a dusty green cow leather. It’s accented with a butterfly embroidery.
Two dotted lace bookmarks are attached.
Each patch is cut from a different spot in the original textile and sewn into the patchwork by hand, giving every cover an entirely unique look.
Textiles used in piece, (Cousin Mix)
1. village (2023-24 Autumn / Winter)
Birds perched on the roofs of their favorite houses and the colorful townscape — it is a tranquil village scene with a peaceful flow of time.
2. tarte (2007-08 Autumn / Winter)
Ellipses uniformly surround colorful stitches. This textile was inspired by tartes glistening in the display of a patisserie.
3. kaleidoscope (2011-12 Autumn / Winter)
This three-dimensional Jacquard velvet design explores the world of shapes as seen through a spinning kaleidoscope.
4. land puzzle (2013-14 Autumn / Winter)
Corduroy ridges form various patterns, with shadows and 3D effects making it look like a scene you’re looking down on from the sky.
5. pomppia (2023 Spring / Summer)
Rabbit faces drawn in diverse touches are portrayed as a continuous pattern. The design reminds us of the connections between living creatures and events of the world.
6. hanaha (2023-24 Autumn / Winter)
A lace pattern of flowers and grasses connected to each other, forming a series of rings, reminds us of the soft curves and innocent, gentle expression of natural objects.
7. pöllöt (2022-23 Autumn / Winter)
Owls perched in the trees of the winter forest. They quietly tell their unique stories to the trees as they wait for the spring season to come.
8. forest diamond (2022-23 Autumn / Winter)
A design inspired by a mysterious tale from a dream which was then drawn into a crystal. The creatures that look like drawings you drew as a child add a humorous touch.
9. tambourine (2000-01 Autumn / Winter)
Freehand-drawn circles are embroidered in dots that protrude from the fabric in this minä perhonen classic.
10. fruitree (2023-24 Autumn / Winter)
The abundance of fruits on the trees looks like light illuminating the forest. The design evokes a story of animals excited by the fragrance of fruits brought by the wind.
*The years in parentheses are the seasons the designs were first released.
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.
minä perhonen is a brand created by designer Akira Minagawa.
First founded in 1995 under the name minä, and renamed “minä perhonen” in 2003. In Finnish, “minä” means “I,” and “perhonen” means “butterfly,” expressing Minagawa’s hopes to create designs as light-hearted and beautiful as a butterfly’s flapping wings.
https://www.mina-perhonen.jp/en/
Interviews with minä perhonen’s Akira Minagawa
Introduction to the minä perhonen series products
(Hobonichi Techo 2025 lineup)
Size | H: 204 x W: 248 x T: 3 mm / H: 8" x W: 9.8" x T: 0.1" *Excluding pen holders *Specifications may vary slightly |
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Weight | Approx. 151 g |
Main material | Exterior: Cotton, linen / Interior: Cow leather, polyester |
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 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 |
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 |
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 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 |
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 |
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.
The patterned fabric has not been aligned to a specific layout, so the placement of each design will vary by product. The product will not be an exact replica of the one in the product photographs.
Please note that embroidered areas may contain threads that protrude from the design.
Stitching may be slightly curved or bumpy as a result of sewing together materials of various thicknesses.
The textiles comprising the patchwork design differ by design and location for each cover. Please understand the random nature of the design before ordering.
In order to allow customers the enjoyment of all-natural leather, the leather is processed in a way that retains its original feel. This may leave imperfections visible on the surface of the cover, such as wrinkles, scratches, stains, or vein marks.
Depending on the conditions in which the cover is used, natural oils of the leather may emerge and appear as stains. We ask for your understanding for these naturally-occurring characteristics of genuine leather.
The material in this product snags easily on sharp objects, so please handle with care.
These Hobonichi Techo cover designs were directed by minä perhonen, but produced by Hobonichi. Inquiries about these covers cannot be answered at minä perhonen shop locations, so please contact the Hobonichi Store with any questions or concerns.
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.
This cover uses thicker materials than usual, so it may not fit. Forcing it into a Cover on Cover may damage the products.
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.