The Hobonichi Techo was launched in 2001 as an original product for the website Hobonichi Itoi Shimbun. From September 1st to 10th, the same day the 2014 edition went on sale, Shibuya Loft is hosting the "Handwritten Techo Exhibition," an event that takes a fresh look at writing by hand.
On the first day of the event, the store held a talk show featuring Shigesato Itoi, Yataro Matsuura (editor-in-chief of "Kurashi no Techo"), and Zenta Nishida (editor-in-chief of "BRUTUS").
The "Handwritten Techo Exhibition" brought together handwritten notes, notebooks, and well-used Hobonichi Techo notebooks, regardless of whether they are new or old, Eastern or Western, famous or unknown. Itoi said, "It's fascinating just to look at what people write and what they leave behind. That's why I've collected handwritten items from various people. I also have the notebook of Matsuura, who is with me today, on display. I also have Yokoo Tadanori's handwritten Twitter (laughs). Apparently Yokoo writes what he wants to post on Twitter on the back of a flyer and then types it up on a computer. I've borrowed those and am exhibiting them." Matsuura, whose manuscripts are handwritten, laughed and said, "I write quickly on a blank piece of paper and then type it up on the computer. With handwritten writing, for example, if I write 'I like that girl,' I can write it in smaller letters if I feel a little embarrassed. It would be embarrassing if it were displayed on a computer screen, but with handwritten writing, I can express my embarrassment in a more subtle way." Nishida, who has worked on over 140 publications as editor-in-chief, said, "Handwritten letters contain an incredible amount of information. When I look back at the handwritten corrections I made to my manuscript, I can even understand my own emotions and feelings. For example, I can see that I'm angry. Back when I was a copywriter, I was writing copy on a word processor, and my boss told me to write it by hand. I remember realizing that it meant using your body, not just your head, to write copy." Drawing on his own experiences, Nishida spoke about the appeal and fun of handwriting, which allows you to honestly express your emotions and feelings. The Hobonichi Techo has been ranked number one in Loft's planner sales rankings for nine consecutive years. Regarding the reason for its popularity, Itoi said, "If there are genres for things written by hand, such as diaries, planners, and memos, I believe the Hobonichi Techo blows them all away. It doesn't have to be as self-explanatory as a diary, but it's not a boring thing where you just write down your schedule." Matsuura continued, "I think it's a planner that you think about how you're going to use it after you buy it. I think it's much more interesting than a planner that has a set purpose." Itoi concluded the talk show by saying, "The Hobonichi Techo is a planner that gives you the fun time to think about how you're going to use it before you even start using it." The 2014 Hobonichi Techo is themed around "This year I'm having fun." It comes in four sizes: paperback, A5, weekly, and English. Planner covers include the artist series created with Ryoji Arai, Taro Okamoto, and Kozue Hibino, the Disney series designed by art director Gugi Akiyama, and a lineup of collaborations with Mina Perhonen, B-Jirushi YOSHIDA+PORTER, The North Face, and more.
