minä perhonen creates timeless, all-original garment textiles that are specially dyed, embroidered, and woven to recreate hand-drawn designs.
The popular piece, series consists of covers made from scraps of leftover fabric produced during the construction of clothes. These pieces are then lovingly hand sewn into a patchwork fabric. By combining textiles that use a large variety of materials and construction techniques, an entirely new fabric is born.
The Cousin Mix uses 11 different types of fabrics with flower motifs, including “flower fog,” “felice,” and “flower leap” from the 2024-2025 Autumn / Winter season. These textiles have movement, almost like grass and flowers that are dancing in the wind. Additionally, the “rosy,” “tarte,” and “tambourine” fabrics add a puffy, tactile texture to the final product through their embroidery.
The interior is made from a green cow leather, and includes embroidery in the shape of a butterfly.
It comes with two bookmarks, which have small embroidered balls strung on them like beads.
As each piece is cut differently from the original fabric and the stitching is done by hand on a sewing machine, each cover is truly a precious one of a kind.
*Please note that while the piece, series was previously sold through lottery sales, since the 2025 edition, it is sold through normal sales. Additionally, for the 2026 editions, there will be no Spring version piece, available for sale.
1. flower leap (2024-25 Autumn / Winter)
Small flowers ride the wind to sway around in this design. The embroidered dots and flowers are structured in a rhythmic pattern.
2. flower fog (2024-25 Autumn / Winter)
A design inspired by the fog swaying in the wind, envisioned as tiny flowers. As soon as they appear, they disappear once more—this fleeting scenery is expressed through a jacquard fabric.
3. tarte (2007-08 Autumn / Winter)
Ovals that surround colorful stitching are lined up neatly on this fabric. A design that was inspired by rows of vibrant and shimmering tarts in a display case.
4. kaleidoscope (2011-12 Autumn / Winter)
The world of geometric patterns born every time you spin a kaleidoscope. The material used is a velvet jacquard, which has a sense of depth.
5. pomppia (2023 Spring / Summer)
Rabbit faces are depicted with their own unique patterns, and layering them creates this design. A composition that lets you feel the interconnectedness between all living things and earthly matter.
6. felice (2024-25 Autumn / Winter)
Birds and butterflies gently approach the flowers on this fabric. A textile that conveys the message that we exist to share joy with one another.
7. tambourine (2000-01 Autumn / Winter)
Circles are formed through a lineup of tiny embroidered dots with their own unique expressions.
8. jellybeans (2002 Spring / Summer)
Soft-colored droplets, almost like rain drops made of light have fallen onto the cloth, are layered in this pattern. Each droplet is designed in soft, luminous watercolor colors.
9. rytmi (2024 Spring / Summer)
Pencils are rhythmically lined up to form this pattern. This design was born from the wish to retain the charm of this stationery tool, which reflects each person’s quirks and feelings.
10. rosy (2018-19 Autumn / Winter)
A rose motif is embroidered in several layers, making it look like an oil painting with a simple and gentle expression.
11. sing leaf (2024-25 Autumn / Winter)
A textile showcasing leaves and nuts cheerfully playing music, as if part of a forest chorus.
*The year in brackets indicates when the fabric was first released.
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 2026 lineup)
Size | H: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Weight | Approx. 170 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Main material | Exterior: Cotton, linen / Interior: Cow leather, polyester | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compatible Techo Books |
Cousin | One-Page-Per-Day TypeJapanese / English![]() ![]()
Cousin Avec | One-Page-Per-Day Type (2-Book Set)Japanese![]() ![]()
Day-Free | Monthly Techo + NotebookJapanese![]() ![]()
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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 that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
Yearly Index | Jan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages) *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). *Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. |
Daily Quotes | One quote per two-page spread (English) |
Weekly Pages | Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages) |
Memo Pages | 6 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / 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 that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
Yearly Index | Jan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages) *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). *Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. |
Daily Quotes | One per day (Japanese) |
Weekly Pages | Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages) |
Memo Pages | 6 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / 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 that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Start of Week | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
Yearly Index | Book 1: Jan. - Dec. 2026 (4 pages) Book 2: Jul. 2026 - Jun. 2027 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Book 1: Dec. 2025 - Jul. 2026 (16 pages) Book 2: Jun. 2026 - Jan. 2027 (16 pages) |
Daily Pages | Book 1: Jan. 1 - Jun. 30, 2026 (187 pages) Book 2: Jul. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (190 pages) *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). *Additionally, 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. |
Daily Quotes | One per day (Japanese) |
Weekly Pages | Book 1: Dec. 29, 2025 - Jul. 5, 2026 (54 pages) Book 2: Jun. 29, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027 (54 pages) |
Memo Pages | Book 1: 8 pages Book 2: 4 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / 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 |
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Weight | Approx. 220 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | 224 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
Yearly Index | Jan. - Dec. 2025 (4 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages) |
Daily Quotes | Included (Japanese) |
Graph Paper | 171 pages |
Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / 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 |
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.
We’ve compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Additionally, the color of the product may be slightly different in actuality than compared to how it appeared on a computer or smartphone screen.
This cover is produced and sold by Hobonichi Co., Ltd. under the design direction of minä perhonen. Inquiries about these covers cannot be answered at minä perhonen shop locations, so please contact the Hobonichi Store with any questions or concerns.
While the same textiles are generally used for all patchwork covers, the specific sections of fabric vary from piece to piece. In some cases, fabrics with slightly different colors or patterns may also be included. As a result, each cover has its own unique design.
The bookmark features original lace ribbon from minä perhonen, which may show some fraying. If you notice fraying, please do not pull the threads— instead, gently tuck them back into the weave of the ribbon for continued use.
Please note that embroidered areas may contain threads that protrude from the design.
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 pen holder is designed to fit the 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive Bonus. 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.
Color may transfer to other items through friction or prolonged contact. This risk increases when the cover is exposed to water or sweat, so please take extra care when carrying it near clothing or other belongings.