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.
© Keiko Shibata
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).
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)
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- Keiko ShibataEmotional Reunion with Kariya-sanA5 Cousin Size
- ¥7,480 - ¥9,130(incl. tax)
- ¥4,180(incl. tax)
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 slightlyWeight 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 slightlyWeight 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 slightlyWeight 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 slightlyWeight 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 pagesBonus 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 slightlyWeight 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.