Hobonichi Weeks 2026 - Yuichi Inoue: Amenimo Makezu

The works of calligrapher Yuichi Inoue—known for breaking free from the confines of traditional calligraphy and creating bold, powerful pieces full of life—have been made into a Weeks.

In addition to his iconic ichijisho—works in which he boldly wrote a single large kanji character—Yuichi Inoue also created many pieces using conté crayon. This cover features one such work, his rendition of the poem Be Not Defeated by the Rain (Amenimo Makezu) by poet Kenji Miyazawa.

It’s said that Inoue kept writing even when the conté crayon broke, scratching out mistakes with intense strokes and pushing forward in a single burst of energy. To capture that raw emotion, the cover is made of a rough, canvas-like material with a gritty texture. The cover has been constructed as a light hardcover book with some give to it so it still bends.

The off-white cover is designed to highlight the raw beauty of the calligraphy, featuring the opening and closing lines of Be Not Defeated by the Rain. The spine is accented with an energizing shade of orange.

The print faithfully reproduces the varying shades of ink, smudges, and texture of the original strokes. Take a moment to look closely and appreciate every detail.

The year 2026 and the English credit for the artwork are stamped in matte silver foil. The clean, minimal finish is designed to let the calligraphy take center stage.

Images and description provided by Hobonichi.