We participated in the “Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai Vol. 6” a.k.a. “Tenkey” on May 4, 2024 as media coverage.
This article will report on the day and the enthusiasm of the keyboard community.
Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai Vol.6
- Date and Time: May 4, 2024, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Venue: DMM.com Group Seminar Room, 24F Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, 3-2-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Opening provided by and in cooperation with DMM.com, LLC.
- Organized by moimate Inc.
- Sponsored by:
- Cannonkeys.
- Topre Corporation
- Diatech Corporation
- Yusha Kobo
- Lofree
- PFU Corporation
- Capacity: 300 people
- Photo by: Ryosuke Kawamura (GreenEchoes Studio) @Hottyhottea
Representative of GreenEchoes Studio
He launched his own media as a site operator and web writer, and now plans and manages multiple corporate media. He often types heavily in his work, and in his search for greater efficiency, he became addicted to the keyboard swamp and established “GreenKeys”.
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Venue ~ Opening
This was the first time I personally participated in Tenkey.
The venue for this event was the DMM.com Group Seminar Room on the 24th floor of the Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower.
The overwhelming appearance of the building…
KawamuraI never thought a keyboard event would be held at a place like this. (Honest Bass)
The venue is directly accessible from Roppongi 1-chome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, so you do not have to go outside even once.
At the entrance of the building, a staff member with an admission ticket was ushering me in, and I also received a ticket to enter the building.
Even though the doors opened at 12:30 p.m., the 24th floor venue already had a long line.
After the doors open, each person prepares his or her own “gems” at a table of his or her choice.
KawamuraThose who had participated in the past had created their own keyboard recipe sheets, which they sandwiched between acrylic plates for easy display, brought in desk mats, and so on, with the same enthusiasm as at the ” key kettle.
Just after the appointed time, Tenkey opened with Yukari ( @eucalyn_), representative of moimate and organizer of Tenkey, as moderator.
The event was simultaneously streamed on Daihuku’s ( @Daihuku0015 ) YouTube channel, and the equipment brought by yuchi / Yuchi ( @F_YUUCHI ) was his personal property.
Sponsors
Organized by moimate Inc.
Here are some of the sponsors who helped make Tenkey Vol. 6 possible.
*Only those companies introduced at the beginning of the opening are listed.
- Cannonkeys.
- Topre Corporation
- Diatech Corporation
- Yusha Kobo
- Lofree
- PFU Corporation
(listed in) no particular order
Cannonkeys.
Cannonkeys is a select store for keyboard-related products based in the United States.
They are working to lower shipping costs to Japan and are expanding the number of eligible products as needed.
Also at the exhibit booth was ai03, a designer and engineer with Cannonkeys.
The most notable is still the Atelier /Atelier-X series, which began GB on April 29, 2024.
At the booth, prototypes and PCBs in an unpainted state were displayed, and many people were able to confirm the keystroke feel of the prototypes.
Also of note is the PHOTON, a 75% layout mechanical keyboard scheduled for release in late 2024.
The new model, which has a plastic injection-molded body with a gasket-mounted structure, is said to “incorporate all the know-how we have accumulated in designing high-end keyboards,” and will be offered at an “affordable price” with a key feel, typing sound, and looks that one would not expect from a plastic chassis.
In addition, the wireless model will be compliant with Japanese technical regulations, and “PHOTON” will be popular worldwide in the second half of 2024.
Topre Corporation
At the booth of Topre Corporation, which mainly offers the REALFORCE series, a collaboration model with Hatsune Miku, an aluminum palm rest, and replacement keycaps were on display.
A dedicated keypad was also available for users to experience the difference in pressing pressure, and we got the impression that many people were checking out the capacitive non-contact keystroke feel.
KawamuraAlthough photography was not allowed, there was also a display of replacement keycaps to be announced in the future. We expect that another coloring lineup will be added in the near future.
Diatech Corporation
Diatech Corporation, the “pioneer” of the Japanese mechanical keyboard community that was the first to launch a keyboard using the Cherry MX axis, exhibited many of its FILCO brand products.
One of the most notable products was a keyboard stand with an integrated metal palm rest.
The width is a typical 65%/75% keyboard size, which can be used for other products besides the company’s own.
I got the impression that this is a highly usable product that tilts to the perfect typing angle just by placing it on the table, and also serves as a wrist rest.
In addition, many people tried out the “Majestouch Xacro M10SP,” a left-right split keyboard that is very rare for a Japanese manufacturer.
KawamuraThe new Animal Free Leather Wristrest, scheduled for release in mid-May 2024, was also on display.
Yusha Kobo
Yusha Kobo, a keyboard specialty store that handles many self-made keyboard parts, is an official vendor of Altair released by Cannonkeys, and GB announcements and GB information on the Topre axis compatible “URSA Custom Keycap” for use with the Realforce and HHKB GB announcement and GB guide of “URSA Custom Keycap” compatible with Topre axes for Realforce and HHKB.
The booth exhibits included the Corne V4 series (designed by foostan), which went on sale in March 2024 and has become popular as a “soldering-free self-made keyboard,” and the company’s Primer series.
Lofree
Lofree, an up-and-coming keyboard brand based in Shenzhen, introduced FLOW, a revolutionary evolution in the feel of low-profile mechanical keyboards, and Edge, currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter.
Edge was on display especially for this event, and many people were able to see how it feels to hit the keys.
KawamuraAt only 5.8 mm at its thinnest point, Edge offers the feel of a mechanical keyboard, and we believe it is the best solution for switching from pantograph keyboards, which are currently the major type of keyboards.
PFU Corporation
Many of you have probably heard of the Happy Hacking Keyboard name at least once.
PFU Corporation has added the HHKB Studio, an all-in-one device with trackpoint and gesture pad equipped with Cherry MX compatible key switches, to its previously released lineup of “capacitive non-contact” keyboards, and it has become It became a very hot topic.
KawamuraAlthough we only sponsored the event and did not have a booth, I personally brought both machines to the exhibition.
moimate Inc.
moimate Inc., represented by Tenkey organizer Yukari-san, focused on exhibits such as ” CREATERPAD,” which raised 19 million yen in support on Makuake, and ” RUSHBOX,” which raised 20 million yen in support on Campfire.
The RUSHBOX is a gaming controller of the genre known as a lever-less acetyle controller.
The “high-end model” with aluminum housing weighs 1.2 kg and boasts excellent stability, even when operated on the lap, thanks in part to the non-slip pad on the back.
In addition, all keys are hot-swappable and can be replaced with compatible key switches of your choice, and unused keys can be blocked with key switch blockers.
In addition, the button assignments can be changed as desired, allowing for customization in accordance with tournament regulations.
summary
This was the corporate booth section.
We hope this has given you an idea of what a very informative event this is.
Tenkey is not positioned as an event for so-called “enthusiasts,” but rather an event that can be casually attended by people with a broad interest in keyboards.
KawamuraThis was the first time for me to attend the event, and I felt very comfortable at a very intimate event.
List of Keyboard Events
Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai
A meetup event for keyboard fans and those interested in keyboards.
Frequency: Twice a year (May/November approx.)
Official URL: https://tenkey.connpass.com/
Organized by : Yukari (@eucalyn_)
key section
A core meetup event for homebrew keyboard enthusiasts.
Frequency: Once every 3-4 months
Official URL: https://keeb.connpass.com/
Organized by : Salicylic Acid (@Salicylic_acid3)/Yukari (@eucalyn_)
kirkette
Keyboard exhibition and sale. Manufacturers as well as homebrew keyboard creators and artisan keycap creators will exhibit.
Frequency: Once a year (approx. in March)
Official URL: https://keyket.jp/
Organizer : Keyboard Market Management Office
key friction
Kequet spin-off event.
It is a flea market for keyboard-related products, and individuals as well as creators can set up stalls.
Frequency: Once a year (approx. in September)
Official URL: https://connpass.com/event/314453/
Organizer : Keyboard Market Management Office
The general public is also kindly invited to learn from the “keyboard geeks” who bring their own keyboards to the event.
If this article has sparked even the slightest interest in keyboarding, why not join us next time?
