Hobonichi Weeks 2023 Plate of Confectionaries Weeks Hardcover Book

This collaboration with the Tokyo National Museum comes on the 150th year of the founding of the museum.

Nicknamed Tohaku, the Tokyo National Museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and educates the public about cultural artifacts from across Asia, with a focus on Japan. Currently there are about 120,000 objects in its collection, including the print chosen for this Hobonichi Techo cover, originally by Shibata Zeshin.

Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) was born in Ryogoku, Edo, and was an active lacquer artist and painter from the late Edo period until the middle of the Meiji era. He had many lacquering techniques that he created himself, and created many magnificent lacquer wares and paintings. Zeshin had trained in art since he was young in order to draft sketches for lacquer work, so he also demonstrated talent in painting sketches, portraits, and designs.

One of these is Tairyukyo Gafu, a collection of 72 pictures depicting plants, animals, people, and landscapes. Tairyukyo is one of the names Zeshin went by, which originated from the fact that he could see a willow tree on the opposite side of the bank of the Kanda River where he lived at one time.

We chose an especially cute and fun piece from the Tairyukyo Gafu for this Hobonichi Techo Weeks cover. It’s called “Plate of Confectionaries.” It has dark pink, light pink, green, yellow, and purple, so between the vibrant color scheme and various shapes of the sweets, the composition is exquisite.



The cover has been constructed as a light hardcover book with some give to it so it still bends. The year 2023 is foil-pressed in red.



The bottom of the back cover contains the logo of the Tokyo National Museum to mark our collaboration together.



There is energy behind the hand-painted lines and comfort behind the harmony of the various colors and shapes. Carrying around Shibata Zeshin’s Plate of Confectionaries every day is sure to make your year bright and fun.

When you order this Hobonichi Techo Weeks, you’ll receive a clear, adhesive corner pocket you can stick anywhere you like.