The keychains of the Japanese brand Picus

The keychains from the Japanese brand Picus, "the antiques of the future" 

"Made from materials that change over time, the products of the Japanese brand Picus are designed to be used daily and thus evolve in contact with their owners. The brand's creations feature an aesthetic that is both ancient and modern, and it is no coincidence that they are affectionately nicknamed 'antiques of the future' by their creator Masayuki Honami." 

Among the many products marketed by the brand, the keychain range is particularly interesting. Their original design, reminiscent of old hotel room keys or luggage tags, makes them perfect accessories for personalizing everyday items. The "luggage tag" keychains, for example, look stunning on a travel notebook from the brand Traveler's notebook. 

The creation of the Picus brand 

Founded in 2009 in Tokyo by Masayuki Honami, the brand enjoys creating modern products inspired by the design of old objects that have fallen into disuse and giving them a whole new function. "It was while traveling to England on his honeymoon that Masayuki Honami had the idea to bring these old objects back into fashion."

As he strolls through the flea markets of the city of London, he realizes that people still have a keen interest in these old objects and that they have absolutely not lost their charm despite the passage of time. He actually brings back from this trip an old typewriter he found, from which he will make objects, such as bookmarks, using the keys of the machine. 

Before creating his own brand, Masayuki Honami worked for a company that sold various everyday items. It was through this job that he was able to learn more about the trade and build a contact list to gain access to factories to create the very first Picus items. 

The brand's items 

Since the first creations of Picus in 2009, the brand has expanded its catalog and offers for sale items as diverse as pencil cases, clipboards, brass boxes, card holders, brass trays, pen holders, herbariums, and incense holders. 

All these objects nonetheless have in common that they are designed to be used daily and have a simple aesthetic that brings back the style of old objects. These "antiques of the future" are made from materials that evolve over time, such as brass, copper, leather, or wood. Brass, for example, is a material that develops a patina over time, meaning that a layer of brown color forms on its surface due to oxidation. Just touching a product made of brass triggers this natural process that gives it so much character.

"As these materials are very different, they are not produced in a single factory, but by artisans specialized in these fields. For example, the coloring of the retractable pens of the brand is done manually in a workshop in Takaoka (Toyama Prefecture), a city with a strong industrial past, specialized in copper and lacquer, each pen thus has its own unique pattern." For this reason, Picus objects are not produced in very large quantities. Moreover, even with the help of machines, the objects must be assembled by hand. 

In order to evolve in contact with their owners, Picus products are very durable and designed to be used every day. The brand's creator hopes that contemplating the marks left by daily use on these objects will bring back precious memories for each owner. They are also timeless objects: no matter how much time passes, their charm will not fade. It is no coincidence that they are inspired by various antique items, which still attract many people at flea markets. 

The keychains of the Picus brand 

Among the flagship products of the brand, there is a beautiful range of keychains. As their name suggests, these items can be used as simple yet elegant keychains. However, it is also possible to repurpose these items from their main function, letting a bit of creativity shine through...

-The wooden "hotel room" keychains 

Made of wood and brass, their design resembles that of the keychains to which the keys of ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, were attached. One can also see on these keychains numbers, stamped with a gold leaf, reminiscent of the room numbers of these establishments. 

Although available in different colors, these keychains are not painted, but simply varnished. The different colors come from the type of wood used. For example, the keychains with the number 105 are made from cherry wood, those with the number 307 from walnut wood, and those with the number 1027 from merbau wood. Care is thus left to the buyer to choose which number and which material inspire them the most. 

If this keychain looks stunning on a set of keys, to remind of its original use, it also makes a very nice decorative object. For example, simply hanging it on a hook can subtly decorate a white wall. 

-The "hotel room" keychains in brass and leather 

Made of brass and cowhide, a material that also evolves over time, these keychains have a cylindrical shape that makes them easy to hold. They are also numbered (635, 701, and 829) and depending on their numbers, they have a different color. 

Due to their small size and cylindrical shape, these keychains are perfect for being attached to the slider of a zipper: the part that is used to open or close the zipper. They can, for example, be attached to the sliders of the pouches from the brand Okamoto Shoten to accessorize them. These keychains then become as elegant as they are practical. 

-The "luggage tag" keychains in brass 

Made of brass, these keychains transport us directly to the era of the first train journeys, where these tags were found hanging from the large leather suitcases of travelers… Each keychain is made from the design of an old luggage tag, reproduced on a molded plate. Although the design is based on an old tag, these keychains are both modern and very stylish. 

They are available in different colors: ash green, beige, rust, natural (black or natural writing) and have a brown brass eyelet. Just like the objects they are inspired by, these luggage tags can be attached to a travel bag or suitcase, but they are also perfect for accessorizing a Traveler's notebook... 

Accessorize your Traveler's notebook 

The Traveler's notebooks are customizable travel journals, whose cover made of vegetable-tanned cowhide resembles that of the travel journals used by great explorers and travelers who set out centuries ago to discover new horizons and new cultures. This travel notebook closes with an elastic band that can be personalized by adding a small accessory. There are many objects that can serve this purpose: it can be an item with sentimental value, an item related to one of your passions, or simply an item that you find appealing. 

For example, and to stay on the theme of travel, the "luggage tag" keychains from Picus are perfect for accessorizing a Traveler's notebook. The two products complement each other perfectly, as although marketed by two different brands, they are intended to be used daily, in order to keep track of the passage of time. While the cover of the Traveler's notebook will gradually become covered in scratches, the paint on the keychains will start to peel off in places. To personalize your Traveler's notebook with these keychains, it's very simple. Just pass the keychain through the elastic that closes your Traveler's notebook, with or without the ring. These keychains are the perfect size and match very well with the aesthetic of these travel notebooks. Moreover, it is possible to choose the color of the elastic, in order to create a notebook that reflects us 100%.

You will have understood that the range of keychains from the brand Picus is ideal for accessorizing and personalizing various everyday items. Their original design, inspired by old objects, makes these keychains particularly elegant and endearing. They are perfect items that will accompany you for many years to come. Masayuki Honami, the creator of the Picus brand, is also looking forward to seeing what all these objects will look like in decades to come.