Hobonichi Techo - A5 Cousin Cover - Iyo Okumi: A Story About Me

This cover was created with an embroidered work designed by embroidery artist and illustrator iyo okumi.

okumi’s work features motifs such as animals, plants, and things that you can find in everyday life around you. The intricate embroidery is worked into fantastical and romantic designs that capture okumi’s unique worldview. 

Created with the idea that it would envelop each person’s own unique story, and that it would also become a secret little box to hide all of your treasures, this Cousin-sized cover was made with a chic navy background. 

A bear and goose donning a noble-looking ruff are surrounded by a sleeping stuffed monkey, tropical trees and plants, coffee and cookies, a bat and some grapes, and also a crab, that is gently holding a letter so as not to accidentally cut into it with its shears. The whole scene showcases a cute and fable-like world.

With this curious collection of motifs—almost as if someone’s favorite items were gathered together in one piece—rendered in delicate, colorful embroidery, the artwork is densely textured and full of volume.

The bookmark for this cover is a lace-like ribbon, which almost seems like an extension of the decorative border on the front of the cover.

The back of the cover features embroidery of little stubs of colored pencil. Maybe they fell out of someone’s box of little secrets?