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[Duane Cunningham]

btw, how quickly does the micron dry? Do you get a lot of ink on the facing page?

A minute or two at most. You can definitely smear it with your hand if you're not careful, but it'll be rare to get ink blotched over to the opposite page. And once it's dry, it's dry; I actually used a bit of pencil prior to inking a couple of times in the Hobonichi and was able to then erase the pencil lines within a couple of minutes, and the micron inks didn't smear, fade or anything.

Also, here's what the last two days looked like, although I think later in the morning, I'm going to take a break from what I'm doing and write in all the latter day happenings from yesterday around Arcee's head.

On the right is a postcard I found that I've been using as a bookmark.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

A minute or two at most. You can definitely smear it with your hand if you're not careful, but it'll be rare to get ink blotched over to the opposite page. And once it's dry, it's dry; I actually used a bit of pencil prior to inking a couple of times in the Hobonichi and was able to then erase the pencil lines within a couple of minutes, and the micron inks didn't smear, fade or anything.

Cool, thank you.

 

[Bagels]

Adding sketches and calligraphy to my Hobonichi Cousin!

Parallel pens lay down a TON of ink, but the paper handles it very well.

Not too much ghosting, considering how much ink is going down on the page!

 

[jimwhat]

Mine came in today!

The shipping was crazy fast (left Japan on the 19th). At first I was worried when I saw how thin the paper was, but it really does do a great job (no bleeding and minimal ghosting). Just wondering, do you guys keep anything in the pockets of the cover?

Can't wait to fill it up. Thanks again Bagels

Also, Team No Cover on Cover. Material seems pretty durable.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

Just wondering, do you guys keep anything in the pockets of the cover?

I keep stickers in them for any page that needs some quick sprucing up.

 

[Kyzer]

Got my techo, wow. Never been so happy to write in a little book before in my life. Kinda wish I had gotten cousin for more utility, but I cant have gone without this Earthbound cover either. Guess I'm just gonna have to get another one...or two.

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

Mine shipped yesterday! Would love to have it by Saturday, but I'm probably looking at Tuesday if the snow rolls in and delays the mail at all.

If you're still somewhat late on your ordering, just be forewarned that the store will be closing on January 26th until February 1st:

To prepare for the release of our Spring Edition (April-start) Japanese techo books and brand new Spring-Design cover, the Hobonichi Store will be closed from Jan. 26th 11 AM Japan time to Feb. 1st 11 AM Japan time.

Time zone conversion:
Closing: GMT: Jan 26th 2 AM // AEDT: Jan 26th 1 PM // PST: Jan 25th 6 PM // EST: Jan 25th 9 PM
Re-opening: GMT: Feb 1st 2 AM // AEDT: Feb 1st 1 PM // PST: Jan 31st 6 PM // EST: Jan 31st 9 PM

A few notes:
-January-start Japanese techo books will be available while supplies last.
-The English-version Hobonichi Planner is only available with a January start date.
-The current cover lineup will remain the same, and the new Spring Edition cover will be added.
-Many products will be restocked; these items are labeled as a February 1st restock at the top of each individual product page.

★
Our Spring Edition cover design will be revealed on January 26th! (evening of Jan 25th in North America)
★

 

[BorkBork]

Mine's in a yellow bag at home right now. Seriously the fastest thing I've ever gotten shipped from Japan. (4 days) Will try it out tomorrow!

 

[Cranzor]

My techo arrived today (well, yesterday, since it just turned midnight)! I love it. The Onett cover is great too.

Being left-handed is difficult though. I smeared the ink a bit in my first entry. I wonder if there are pens that dry quick enough to the point where smearing isn't a problem for lefties.

 

[ActStriker]

My Techo came yesterday! It's smaller than I thought it would be lol

 

[BorkBork]

Been using it for a couple of days. Question for you guys:

How do you use the 3 separate sections? The standard monthly calendar, the two months per page, and the 1 day per page? Trying to figure out a system to fully maximize everything

 

[lightus]

Just ordered a black Techo Original and an English planner book. I've been wanting a nicer planner for awhile and this seems to fit the bill perfectly as I intend to use it more as a mini-journal/to-do list/random doodle thing rather than a way to plan out dates etc.

I was really considering getting a Cousin, but really I don't write much so I probably wouldn't use the extra space anyway.

Now the waiting begins sigh.

 

[jimwhat]

Just ordered a black Techo Original and an English planner book. I've been wanting a nicer planner for awhile and this seems to fit the bill perfectly as I intend to use it more as a mini-journal/to-do list/random doodle thing rather than a way to plan out dates etc.

I was really considering getting a Cousin, but really I don't write much so I probably wouldn't use the extra space anyway.

Now the waiting begins sigh.

Well the techo is pretty small. I'm actually completely filling up every page without even trying. The huge benefit though is that it's easier to carry around than the Cousin would be/

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

Been using it for a couple of days. Question for you guys:

How do you use the 3 separate sections? The standard monthly calendar, the two months per page, and the 1 day per page? Trying to figure out a system to fully maximize everything

I didn't even notice the 2 months per page until I read your post.

I write notes about future plans in the monthly calendar section and write notes about what actually happened in the day section.

 

[lightus]

Well the techo is pretty small. I'm actually completely filling up every page without even trying. The huge benefit though is that it's easier to carry around than the Cousin would be/

Yeah I hope it's not too small for how I'm gonna use it. I'm not sure exactly how much I'm gonna feel like jotting down per day. I'll just try it out for a bit and if it's not enough I'll pick up a Cousin.

For now it seems like the extra portability would be worth more than paper real estate.

 

[jimwhat]

Been using it for a couple of days. Question for you guys:

How do you use the 3 separate sections? The standard monthly calendar, the two months per page, and the 1 day per page? Trying to figure out a system to fully maximize everything

I put in any major project due dates or test dates in the calendar portion, my weight (I'm trying to lose some) in the 2-month portion to keep track of it, and my daily goals/what happened on the 1 day pages.

 

[Megalosaro]

Weight in the first section
Work hours in the second aND daily goals in the third.

 

[Chairhome]

I need to find some cool stickers for this.
I'm using the planner to document a few things, including workouts I've done on certain days. I'm using it as a family planner, right now my daughter is writing down things she's accomplished in Harvest Moon.

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

Mine's still sitting in New York at customs, I don't think it is going to make it down here this week with snowmageddon happening up there haha

 

[hitsugi]

Mine's still sitting in New York at customs, I don't think it is going to make it down here this week with snowmageddon happening up there haha

Mine's sitting in LA customs. Not sure how long it takes to clear but it'd be nice if it showed up this week D:

 

[BorkBork]

Impressions after a few days:

I love the feel of the cover material. It's not slippery or sticky. The texture works well with the slightly pixely graphics of Earthbound. Cover's a great (if a bit nerdy) icebreaker, too:

"This is where I ate a hamburger out of the trash can. This is where punks beat me up. This is that stupid pizza joint that is never open, except for delivery. This is the house I bought that was missing a wall, but the insane short story in one of the drawers makes it totally worth the $7,500 dollars I paid for the house..." and so on.

What I appreciate most is how the book stays completely flat, even on the earlier portions of the planner. The cover's weight pulls it down and I can write and sketch pretty much anywhere. I really am getting into using it as a journal to recap the day and wind down, right now. Hope it continues!

I put in any major project due dates or test dates in the calendar portion, my weight (I'm trying to lose some) in the 2-month portion to keep track of it, and my daily goals/what happened on the 1 day pages.

Yeah, I've been using the calendar for deadlines also. Maybe I will use the 2 month per page area for tracking my daily writing time. A block per half an hour would work nicely I think.

Thanks for the Sakura micron recommendation, Duanne. The fine points are working great for writing and sketching. Just need more colours now...

 

[Jake.]

does anyone know how much shipping is to australia? it mentions EMS which is usually fast but not very cheap...

 

[jimwhat]

Mine's sitting in LA customs. Not sure how long it takes to clear but it'd be nice if it showed up this week D:

Mine cleared Chicago in 1 day

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

does anyone know how much shipping is to australia? it mentions EMS which is usually fast but not very cheap...

What's the quote they give you when you try to check out? If it's the same as I was charged, the conversion rate would bring it to about $16 AUD. I don't know about any sort of customs fees though, that seems to heavily depend on the country.

 

[Item Box]

Mine's still sitting in New York at customs, I don't think it is going to make it down here this week with snowmageddon happening up there haha

When did you order yours? My own went from japan to jfk in 2 days, and is now sitting in my local post office.

I'm hoping they'll actually deliver it tomorrow cause I doubt anything will be sent on tuesday-wednesday

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

When did you order yours? My own went from japan to jfk in 2 days, and is now sitting in my local post office.

I'm hoping they'll actually deliver it tomorrow cause I doubt anything will be sent on tuesday-wednesday

Just checked my tracking number to see when it left Japan, and it looks like it arrived at a post office about an hour away earlier! Guess the tracking hadn't updated yet for the day when I looked a few hours ago. Jan 22nd to the 26th isn't too bad!

Gonna clean out my TWSBI Mini in the morning and give it a nice, colorful ink to break it in.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Got mine last night. No cover for now, I'm going to use it au natural. I like it for sure, but I'm a little annoyed that it has a nasty crease or something in the corner, like a piece of machinery or something mashed it:

Damn, just noticed you put up your extra on ebay. I would have totally bought it off of you.

 

[Duane Cunningham]

Damn, just noticed you put up your extra on ebay. I would have totally bought it off of you.

Aw, I should have said something here first. I just put up that auction last night. I just PM'd you back.

 

[hitsugi]

ugh I missed my delivery D: first time my post office hasn't left something at the door or in my box and required me to be present.. guess it's because it's international. Hopefully I can pick it up after work

 

[kitchenmotors]

ugh I missed my delivery D: first time my post office hasn't left something at the door or in my box and required me to be present.. guess it's because it's international. Hopefully I can pick it up after work

Is this the case with everyone? Do you have to sign for items from their shop? My Mother 2 case shipped but I'm never home when the postman comes around, should have shipped it to my work.

 

[pronk420]

wow UK customs is so slow, its spent 3 days in customs, and now another 3 days after it was sent on they haven't sent me the customs charge letter yet so I can't have it delivered

its spent far more time in customs than it took to get to the UK from Japan after I ordered it.

 

[BlueSummers]

I really want to buy one but I really am struggling trying to navigate the site. Specifically, how to actually buy the thing. I see no option to add to cart or anything like that. I am prob missing something really obvious but some help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

Is this the case with everyone? Do you have to sign for items from their shop? My Mother 2 case shipped but I'm never home when the postman comes around, should have shipped it to my work.

I had to sign for mine today, dunno if that is the case everywhere.

I really want to buy one but I really am struggling trying to navigate the site. Specifically, how to actually buy the thing. I see no option to add to cart or anything like that. I am prob missing something really obvious but some help would be greatly appreciated.

The store is closed until February 1st, in order to prepare for the big Spring edition restocks.

ugh I missed my delivery D: first time my post office hasn't left something at the door or in my box and required me to be present.. guess it's because it's international. Hopefully I can pick it up after work

Let me help make the wait a little more unbearable. But only a little~

Wow, is this thing tiny! I'd picked up a Cousin cover for my Seven Seas Writer journal back in December, but I never realized quite how much smaller the regular Techo was. I once read someone say that the book itself is about the size of a standard Japanese paperback novel, which is 100% accurate. I even threw in a normal size playing card for good measure.

So for those of you curious on if you want to jump for the Techo Original A6 or the Cousin A5, that should give you a good idea as to how much smaller the original is.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

I had to sign for mine today, dunno if that is the case everywhere.



The store is closed until February 1st, in order to prepare for the big Spring edition restocks.



Let me help make the wait a little more unbearable. But only a little~



Wow, is this thing tiny! I'd picked up a Cousin cover for my Seven Seas Writer journal back in December, but I never realized quite how much smaller the regular Techo was. I once read someone say that the book itself is about the size of a standard Japanese paperback novel, which is 100% accurate. I even threw in a normal size playing card for good measure.



So for those of you curious on if you want to jump for the Techo Original A6 or the Cousin A5, that should give you a good idea as to how much smaller the original is.

That Apple Red looks really nice!

 

[Bagels]

I had to sign for mine today, dunno if that is the case everywhere.



The store is closed until February 1st, in order to prepare for the big Spring edition restocks.



Let me help make the wait a little more unbearable. But only a little~



Wow, is this thing tiny! I'd picked up a Cousin cover for my Seven Seas Writer journal back in December, but I never realized quite how much smaller the regular Techo was. I once read someone say that the book itself is about the size of a standard Japanese paperback novel, which is 100% accurate. I even threw in a normal size playing card for good measure.



So for those of you curious on if you want to jump for the Techo Original A6 or the Cousin A5, that should give you a good idea as to how much smaller the original is.

So glad you got yours in time to chronicle your tragic death in Weatherpocalyse 2015. Future historians will applaud your fine choice in paper and ink.

That cover is gorgeous, too. Glad it all finally arrived!


*edit*
Here's a reminder of how European paper sizes work. It's such a smart system, I have no idea why the US doesn't adopt it. I guess I answered my own question - it's way too smart.

The A series is the most commonly used and it includes the standard A4 sheet (which is the closest to a US 8.5"x11" letter sheet). You can find notebooks in the B series pretty easily, but it isn't used as much. The C series is reserved for envelopes, but who cares. In any series, you can just fold a sheet in half along the log axis to see the next size in the series. The aspect ratio is always preserved as root 2 in the A series because this system is very smart.

So here's my large Rhodia A3, a sheet of Tome River A4, a Hobonichi Cousin in A5, a Rhodia notebook in A6, and a Moleskine notebook in slightly longer than A7 (Moleskine...smh). You can see how each new size is just half the previous size.

A5 is the usual size for a journal notebook, like a moleskine or Hobonichi Cousin (The US equivalent is "5.5"x8.5"), which is ever so slightly longer and skinnier). A6 is the point at which things start fitting in a pants pocket (pocket moleskine or Hobonichi Techo, sans cover). A7 is the size at which things qualify for an official EU designation of "cute" (US "fun size").

 

[Timeaisis]

I ordered mine a few days back. I wonder how long it will take. website said February but who knows with these things.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

ugh I missed my delivery D: first time my post office hasn't left something at the door or in my box and required me to be present.. guess it's because it's international. Hopefully I can pick it up after work

It's probably because of the EMS shipping. I've ordered a ton of stuff from Japan, and always have to sign for EMS stuff, but not lesser shipping methods like SAL.

 

[El Pescado]

Mine shipped EMS, but I didn't have to sign. There was a spot on the label for it, but my mailman wrote "No Signature Required" in the signature zone before he even walked up to my door and knocked.

That bigger book looks nice, but I wouldn't be able to live without my Earthbound cover. I'm also a fan of the English quotes.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

So glad you got yours in time to chronicle your tragic death in Weatherpocalyse 2015. Future historians will applaud your fine choice in paper and ink.

That cover is gorgeous, too. Glad it all finally arrived!


*edit*
Here's a reminder of how European paper sizes work. It's such a smart system, I have no idea why the US doesn't adopt it. I guess I answered my own question - it's way too smart.

The A series is the most commonly used and it includes the standard A4 sheet (which is the closest to a US 8.5"x11" letter sheet). You can find notebooks in the B series pretty easily, but it isn't used as much. The C series is reserved for envelopes, but who cares. In any series, you can just fold a sheet in half along the log axis to see the next size in the series. The aspect ratio is always preserved as root 2 in the A series because this system is very smart.



So here's my large Rhodia A3, a sheet of Tome River A4, a Hobonichi Cousin in A5, a Rhodia notebook in A6, and a Moleskine notebook in slightly longer than A7 (Moleskine...smh). You can see how each new size is just half the previous size.

A5 is the usual size for a journal notebook, like a moleskine or Hobonichi Cousin (The US equivalent is "5.5"x8.5"), which is ever so slightly longer and skinnier). A6 is the point at which things start fitting in a pants pocket (pocket moleskine or Hobonichi Techo, sans cover). A7 is the size at which things qualify for an official EU designation of "cute" (US "fun size").

Neat little breakdown. Thanks!

 

[kitchenmotors]

Anyone happen to have an extra english version they're willing to part with?

 

[Olrik]

Wow, is this thing tiny! I'd picked up a Cousin cover for my Seven Seas Writer journal back in December, but I never realized quite how much smaller the regular Techo was. I once read someone say that the book itself is about the size of a standard Japanese paperback novel, which is 100% accurate. I even threw in a normal size playing card for good measure.

Did you try putting your Midori MD A5 in the Cousin cover? Do you think it would work?

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

Did you try putting your Midori MD A5 in the Cousin cover? Do you think it would work?

It fits perfectly fine! Even though the Midori MD A5 is 2/3rds the thickness of the Writer notebook or the Hobonichi, the cover doesn't droop or do anything weird. This was actually the first thing I'd tried with the cover. It was suppooooooosed to be a Christmas present along with the Writer notebook, but I couldn't help myself when it came in haha.

I assume so long as the paper cut is A5 and not some cheeky variation on the standard (I'm looking at you, Baron Fig) most any A5 notebook could fit in this cover with little issue.

 

[Olrik]

It fits perfectly fine! Even though the Midori MD A5 is 2/3rds the thickness of the Writer notebook or the Hobonichi, the cover doesn't droop or do anything weird. This was actually the first thing I'd tried with the cover. It was suppooooooosed to be a Christmas present along with the Writer notebook, but I couldn't help myself when it came in haha.

I assume so long as the paper cut is A5 and not some cheeky variation on the standard (I'm looking at you, Baron Fig) most any A5 notebook could fit in this cover with little issue.

Great! Thanks for the very helpful info.

 

[Bagels]

I made a thread for InCoWriMo if any of you writerly types are interested.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

My wife's Techo and Marigold case came in last week and I finally got around to taking some pictures:

The yellow and the pink look really nice together.

Here's it next to my Navy case. The colors don't look quite right because I used my phone camera with auto white balancing but hopefully you can get the idea.

The only thing is she's team case on case. How did this happen?? You think you know someone... I had to take it off for the picture. I admit the plastic case actually doesn't look that bad with the brighter color.

By the way, I was at work yesterday and noticed one of the receptionists had a Hobo Nichi! I was seriously in midsentence talking to a coworker and saw it and said, "Whose is that??" I pulled mine out and we excitedly talked about them for a bit. I tried to explain it to my confused coworkers but they just thought we were nuts :/. That was the first Hobo Nichi I've seen in the wild.

 

[kr2t0s]

I first got mine in 2013. I've been a fan ever since. The first year I bought a case but I've regretted it ever since.

Team No Case.

 

[Bagels]

My wife's Techo and Marigold case came in last week and I finally got around to taking some pictures:

The yellow and the pink look really nice together.

Here's it next to my Navy case. The colors don't look quite right because I used my phone camera with auto white balancing but hopefully you can get the idea.


The only thing is she's team case on case. How did this happen?? You think you know someone... I had to take it off for the picture. I admit the plastic case actually doesn't look that bad with the brighter color.

By the way, I was at work yesterday and noticed one of the receptionists had a Hobo Nichi! I was seriously in midsentence talking to a coworker and saw it and said, "Whose is that??" I pulled mine out and we excitedly talked about them for a bit. I tried to explain it to my confused coworkers but they just thought we were nuts :/. That was the first Hobo Nichi I've seen in the wild.

Oh man! I want to make free-range Hobonichi friends! I'm not the kind of guy who sees strangers with tshirts for bands I like or whatever and decides to strike up a conversation, but if I saw someone using a Hobonichi, I know I could not stop myself from saying something. Being part of a cult is way more fun than they make it out to be!

If I saw a case on case in the wild, I'd probably call the police, though.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

Oh man! I want to make free-range Hobonichi friends! I'm not the kind of guy who sees strangers with tshirts for bands I like or whatever and decides to strike up a conversation, but if I saw someone using a Hobonichi, I know I could not stop myself from saying something. Being part of a cult is way more fun than they make it out to be!

If I saw a case on case in the wild, I'd probably call the police, though.

She was team no case on case too! My kin!

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

My wife's Techo and Marigold case came in last week and I finally got around to taking some pictures:

The yellow and the pink look really nice together.

Here's it next to my Navy case. The colors don't look quite right because I used my phone camera with auto white balancing but hopefully you can get the idea.


The only thing is she's team case on case. How did this happen?? You think you know someone... I had to take it off for the picture. I admit the plastic case actually doesn't look that bad with the brighter color.

By the way, I was at work yesterday and noticed one of the receptionists had a Hobo Nichi! I was seriously in midsentence talking to a coworker and saw it and said, "Whose is that??" I pulled mine out and we excitedly talked about them for a bit. I tried to explain it to my confused coworkers but they just thought we were nuts :/. That was the first Hobo Nichi I've seen in the wild.

The red on the inside of the Marigold case is really beautiful! I wouldn't dare dillute the beauty of these things by wrapping them in a glorified plastic bag. These aren't some collectable cards! Team No Case on Case.

I'd love to run into another user in the wild, can you imagine showing off your beautiful pages together? It's one thing to see pictures on tumblr but getting to see everything drawn and pasted in in person? Gah, JEALOUS!

 

[Bagels]

The red on the inside of the Marigold case is really beautiful! I wouldn't dare dillute the beauty of these things by wrapping them in a glorified plastic bag. These aren't some collectable cards! Team No Case on Case.

I'd love to run into another user in the wild, can you imagine showing off your beautiful pages together? It's one thing to see pictures on tumblr but getting to see everything drawn and pasted in in person? Gah, JEALOUS!

Okay, but I'd worry about seeing someone's gorgeous pages, and then having then flip through page after page of erotic fanfic written in crayon in my Hobonichi.