Hobonichi Techo A5 Cover - Yumi Kitagishi: White Cat Village

This is the Hobonichi Techo’s fourth collaboration with Yumi Kitagishi, an illustrator who has also been making a name for herself as a picture book author in recent years.

The Cousin-size White Cat Village cover depicts a town that white cats call home. This original illustration evokes the dollhouse and garden party scenes that appear throughout Kitagishi’s work. The artwork was painted in acrylic gouache and printed on a polyester material that vividly captures the original colors and texture.

The innocent expressions of the wide-eyed animals are of course a delight, but it’s the sheer density of detail packed into every corner that makes Kitagishi’s work so captivating. In a village that stretches beneath a great tree and a hill, colorful houses stand in rows while animals bustle about — some working, some at play — filling the scene with life and energy.

Open the cover and you’ll find yourself in what feels like a cozy room. The inner surface where the book slides in is designed to resemble fresh, pale green wallpaper. The right-side pocket features a white cat playing with a dollhouse. The “butterfly-stopper” pen holders are designed in the style of Tyrolean tape adorned with delicate flowers, and the bookmark is a simple ribbon.




On the back of the cover, the village animals have gathered to enjoy an elegant afternoon tea on a grassy hillside. Peek inside the pocket and you’ll discover a delightful hidden detail: a glimpse into the basement of a little tree house.