Pickboy Musical Instrument Keychains
Published on
October 10, 2025 at 9:55:21 AM PDT October 10, 2025 at 9:55:21 AM PDTth, October 10, 2025 at 9:55:21 AM PDT
Pickboy's Musical Instrument Keychains are made using traditional, artisanal methods by a father-and-son enterprise in downtown Tokyo.
Pickboy musical instrument keychains are handmade in a small father-and-son workshop located in the traditional downtown area of Tokyo. I recently visited the workshop to capture these images. The craftsman you see in the photos has been making Pickboy keychains for over 50 years. Even today, they continue to use vintage machinery and traditional techniques to produce each piece by hand.
Due to the nature of this artisanal process, they can’t produce more than 1,000 pieces a week—no matter how hard they try. I want to share this story to highlight the unique value and craftsmanship behind each musical instrument keychain.
The craftsman has been working with Pickboy for nearly 50 years and is the one who creates all the musical instrument motifs.
Here’s a brief outline of the process:
1. Cut a solid brass plate to create the press mold for the musical instrument motif.
2. Press the first mold with 10 tons of pressure to form the detailed shape.
3. Press again if necessary to refine the design, or heat the motif and press again for delicate lines like strings on string musical instrument.
4. Use a second outline mold to cut the shape out from the brass plate.
5. Press small details (such as holes) using specialized molds.
6. Polish the edges and tumble the pieces to prepare for electroplating.
7. Apply black ink and wipe off the surface to enhance contrast and bring out shadows and depth.
8. Weld the small metal ring and assemble with other parts to complete the keychain.