Tomitaro Makino: Koshinso A5 Cousin Size - Techo Lineup

Tomitaro MakinoKoshinsoA5 Cousin Size

We now have the A5 size techo cover of Koshinso, the botanical illustration drawn by botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino in 1901. You can take joy in Dr. Makino’s botanical illustration in a larger size.

Koshinso, painted in watercolor, is a perennial insectivorous plant that grows on wet rocks of the mountains in the north of the Kanto region. It was given its Japanese name after being discovered in Mt. Koshin in Tochigi Prefecture.

The botanical illustration drawn over 120 years ago on June 30, 1901, delicately depicts the light purple flowers arranged horizontally and the stems that grow out from the flowers and warp back. Unusually for Dr. Makino's botanical illustrations, the background is painted in black.

For the A5 size cover, a lovely blooming Koshinso flower is ink-jet printed on ecru-colored cotton fabric. The matte texture is applied even to the edges of the original drawing, reflecting the atmosphere of the botanical illustrations drawn by Dr. Makino.

Each of the two thin bookmarks is in a different color, one in light purple and the other in light green inspired by the Koshinso flower and stem. The tips are cut diagonally.

Peek inside the outer back pocket and you will find a hidden message, “There isn’t any grass without a name. ―Tomitaro Makino.” This is an English translation of the words of Dr. Makino, showing how plant loving he was.

There are no interior pockets for this cover, to make the techo even more compact. It has a pen hook designed to hold a pen by its clip.

Written at the bottom of the cover interior is “Pinguicula ramosa,” the scientific name for Koshinso.

We hope you write down many of the joys you find in your daily life just like Dr. Makino, who loved, carefully observed, and drew a vast number of illustrations for plants.

About Botanist Tomitaro Makino

Born April 24, 1862 in present-day Sakawa Town, Kochi Prefecture. Raised in the rich natural surroundings of Tosa City, he began to study botany independently as a young child. Moved to Tokyo and devoted himself to botanical research through the Department of Botany at Tokyo University’s Faculty of Science.
Founded “The Botanical Magazine” with a close friend; they collaborated to publish their discovery of the flowering plant Yamatogusa in 1889. Collected over 400,000 specimens during his 94-year lifespan, and named over 1,500 discovered species. Known as the “Father of Japanese Botany.”

Information provided by the Makino Botanical Garden.

Staff List

Photographer: Styled Images: Eri Morikawa / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist: Noriko Miyazaki

Tomitaro MakinoKoshinsoA5 Cousin Size

¥8,580 - ¥10,230 (incl. tax)
¥5,060 (incl. tax)

20 per item

Available

Normal

Specifications*Specifications may vary slightly

Cover

Size

H: 222 x W: 323 x T: 3 mm / H: 8.7" x W: 12.7" x T: 0.1"

Weight

Approx. 80 g

Main material

Exterior: Cotton / Interior: Polyester

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User recommendations

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Please Read Before You Buy

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.

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.

About the pen hook: The pen hook of this cover is designed to hold a pen by its clip.

Color and print may vary slightly: The cover's color and print pattern are created by dyeing or printing onto white fabric. While we take care to ensure consistency during production, slight variations in color or pattern may occur between individual items. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. Minor print blurring or uneven coloring may also be present. 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.