https://stationerymanor.com/products/kokuyo-mo-series-round-stencil-template-97018

Kokuyo has a circular stencil/template (WCN-CDTAS13), which one presumably holds down in the center and then uses the various slots with a pen/pencil to circle around to make their own custom chronodex stencil outlines.

It doesn't take a genius to see how Baum-kuchen could potentially use such a tool or stamp to make a branded chronodex that also might suggest the circular layers of an actual Baum-kuchen cake.

I recently discovered a fantastically curated Japanese and German design inspired stationery store in Southern California not far from the Rose Bowl and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Baum-kuchen mentioned that they plan to carry a huge array of Hobonichi products beginning this fall!! The only thing better than a Hobonichi or even a store full of them is a store full of them 10 minutes from one's home.

I had high hopes that they might already have the July start planners or blank notebooks, but alas, I'm going to have to be patient for the new Fall releases.

In addition to all the fantastic appointments in their store/atelier, I'm most impressed with their community table where they invite everyone to come in with their planners to work and plan, write, or draw in the store itself. This gives you the ability to share with others in person as well as to sample their pens, stamps, and other materials with your own notebooks and planners. Their planning table space also gives one the ability to pull a variety of items off of shelves to more easily mix and match items for building your ideal planner set up with all the trimmings and accessories. They also offer a wide array of notebook cover customization services and a fantastically kind and knowledgeable staff.

The community table at Baum-kuchen surrounded by displays of pens, pencils, stationery, and accessories.

If you find yourself in Southern California and want a unique analog and very tactile experience, stop in and see the wonders that they've got on offer at Baum-Kuchen. Lately they've been open only on Sundays at their store/atelier, but their online store is open 24/7: https://www.baum-kuchen.net/. For those who live farther afield and don't have the opportunity to visit often, you can get a strong sense of their character and wabi-sabi philosophy on their YouTube channel.

When you get the chance, stop by and say hello to Wakako, Frido, and their welcoming and generous staff in person. I'm sure you'll find me there on release day this fall (and maybe every weekend in between😜) putting my name at the top of the list for the 2024 Hobonichi offerings. I'm already practicing baking baum kuchen, a delicious cake after which the store is named, for the coming celebration.

syndication link: https://www.reddit.com/r/hobonichi/comments/14o08ke/more_hobonichi_in_los_angeles_and_southern/

https://www.baum-kuchen.net/blogs/journal/ichigo-ichie-in-hamburg-love-letter-may-2023