As a keen person with the innate insight needed to bring you information on the most charming items and gadgets, this creator/planner/model, who goes by the name Matsu-you*, is active in various fields. And she’s also a dedicated HHKB user. So what is it about HHKB that captured Matsu-you*’s interest? Let’s ask her.
HHKB is cute and stylish. I especially like the white color scheme.
HHKB: Matsu-you*, you always freely engage in various activities. When I heard that you’ve recently expanded your efforts into the VR space of the metaverse, I was surprised, but at the same time, I thought, “Of course she would.”
Matsu-you*: I took the opportunity after buying a VR goggle that a friend recommended to me. To be honest, while I wasn’t really satisfied with the device itself, when I connected it to my PC and tried entering the metaverse, I was astounded by the sense of immersion and got hooked on it immediately.
HHKB: I understand you do DJing in the metaverse?
Matsu-you*: I do. Friends that I made in that space have reached out to me, and even invited me to a number of real-world events. There are also other instances where my connections from the metaverse have led to real-world jobs. For me, I got into this whole experience involving VR and the metaverse just to play around, but over time, it evolved into something enjoyable. I initially had no intention of using this for work in any way.
HHKB: Just like your posts on things “cute” and “retro,” it sounds like there was a natural progression. Are you still working on your previous sorts of jobs and information sharing?
Matsu-you*: I am. Lately I’ve been working on the digital branding of fashion brands and beauty brands and making gadgets. Plus, I’m writing books. It’s times like those where I use the HHKB. For design work, I’ll use the keyboard built into my laptop, but when it comes to writing manuscripts, blogs, and other long documents, I use the HHKB.
HHKB: When did you start using the HHKB?
Matsu-you*: I got one about two years back. But even before that, I knew about the HHKB, and it struck me as having a kind of retro-ish keyboard aesthetic. These days, you know how keyboards for gaming and such come with these glaring lights. The HHKB keyboard is basically the opposite of that. I classify the HHKB as “retro cute.”
HHKB: That’s a bit of a fresh take on HHKB. I haven’t heard many people talk about it that way.
Matsu-you*: You think so? HHKB is cute and incredibly stylish. I especially like the white color scheme of the one I use. The frame and the keys aren’t pure white, but rather they’re a slightly retro off-white. Not only that but the keys toward the edges are a light gray. The colors are incredibly cute, and I absolutely love it.
HHKB: So you prefer the “White” model over the pure white “Snow” model. Now that you mention it, the keyboard does have that retro vibe, almost like the ones you see in the office set of an old drama series.
Matsu-you*: Absolutely. I could see it being a perfect match for an 80s Macintosh. The "White" color scheme is what initially attracted me to this keyboard.
Listening to the rhythmic sound of the HHKB gets me into a groove when writing.
HHKB: Having used the HHKB for two years now, what are your thoughts?
Matsu-you*: The sound that the HHKB makes is really great. The clack and release sounds when you hit the keys, I find that quite satisfying. I've always enjoyed being in places with the ambient noise of clacking keyboards. For example, in an office space where everyone is gathered, I find it’s easy to focus with the sound of someone clacking away on their keyboard. There's a certain comfort in that. I think the sound of a keyboard has a soothing effect.
Because I use the HHKB when I’m writing long pieces, I match the rhythm of my writing to the rhythm of the HHKB’s clacking. It helps me write faster, allowing me to get into a groove. That feeling of “getting into a groove” is really great.
HHKB: What do you think about the sensation of hitting the keys?
Matsu-you*: With the HHKB, it really gives you that desire to type on it. The key strokes on the HKKB are deep, to the extent where you press down and find yourself thinking, “It’s still going down?” It took me some time at first to get used to the deep keys, but the more I typed, the more I got comfortable with the feeling, and now I’d say I’m totally accustomed.
HHKB: I believe you own the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S model with the Japanese key layout. The pure white “Snow” variant has a Japanese key layout with blank key caps. Would that interest you?
Matsu-you*: I couldn’t possibly type with blank keys. I’m the type who hunts and pecks at the keyboard with one finger on each hand. The reason is that I bought my first computer out of necessity and made my own website without lessons from anyone. I didn’t know that typing on a keyboard uses all the fingers of both hands, much less that touch typing exists. And that’s why I’m a two-finger typist. I guess it's hilarious in a way that someone like me is using a high-priced HHKB.
HHKB: Having used the HHKB for two years now, what are your thoughts?
Matsu-you*: The sound that the HHKB makes is really great. The clack and release sounds when you hit the keys, I find that quite satisfying. I've always enjoyed being in places with the ambient noise of clacking keyboards. For example, in an office space where everyone is gathered, I find it’s easy to focus with the sound of someone clacking away on their keyboard. There's a certain comfort in that. I think the sound of a keyboard has a soothing effect.
Because I use the HHKB when I’m writing long pieces, I match the rhythm of my writing to the rhythm of the HHKB’s clacking. It helps me write faster, allowing me to get into a groove. That feeling of “getting into a groove” is really great.
HHKB: What do you think about the sensation of hitting the keys?
Matsu-you*: With the HHKB, it really gives you that desire to type on it. The key strokes on the HKKB are deep, to the extent where you press down and find yourself thinking, “It’s still going down?” It took me some time at first to get used to the deep keys, but the more I typed, the more I got comfortable with the feeling, and now I’d say I’m totally accustomed.
HHKB: I believe you own the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S model with the Japanese key layout. The pure white “Snow” variant has a Japanese key layout with blank key caps. Would that interest you?
Matsu-you*: I couldn’t possibly type with blank keys. I’m the type who hunts and pecks at the keyboard with one finger on each hand. The reason is that I bought my first computer out of necessity and made my own website without lessons from anyone. I didn’t know that typing on a keyboard uses all the fingers of both hands, much less that touch typing exists. And that’s why I’m a two-finger typist. I guess it's hilarious in a way that someone like me is using a high-priced HHKB.
I want young people to also know the resonating nostalgia of using the HHKB.
HHKB: From the perspective of brand promotion, who do you think should use the HHKB and how would you like them to use it?
Matsu-you*: I’d like to see young people using it. While a light-up gaming keyboard is all well and good, if they knew about the HHKB, I imagine that they could resonate with the sort of nostalgia.
HHKB: From “retro cute” to “resonating,” I think those are some new keywords for describing the HHKB.
Matsu-you*: As you know, taking pictures with disposable film cameras is popular with young people nowadays. That’s why I think the HHKB can similarly resonate. To that end, I think young people who are charmed by the 90s and Y2K aesthetics should definitely give it a try. For instance, it would be cool to see young people typing out drafts for note(1) and Instagram posts using an HHKB. Sure, they can just use their smartphone for that, but there’s something to be said for deliberately sitting at a computer and typing something out on an HHKB.
HHKB: That sort of approach could have real effects on flipping the internal switch that signifies the start of writing time.
Matsu-you*: I agree. There are some things that you just can’t accomplish in passing. For myself, even though I often use my laptop for work, when I really want to buckle down and write, I use the HHKB. That’s why I’d like to get the word out to young people about the existence of HHKB, even if their response is along the lines of “That’s so cute! I can’t buy one right this second, but someday.” If that’s the start of someone writing a poem on their HHKB or finishing a novel, and then going on to win some literary prize, that’d be pretty neat.
HHKB: Certainly. Thank you so much, Matsu-you*, for giving us your own resonating review of the HHKB today.
*1 "note" refers to a media platform service from note inc. that is available in Japan.
Matsu-you*
Matsu-you* Official Site: https://www.matsuyou.jp/
note account for Matsu-you* / Matsumaru Yuuko Metaverse DJ: https://note.com/matsuyou/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/matsuyou
Note: Information and external links are provided for your convenience and for educational purposes only. PFU America, Inc. makes no representations about the contents, features, or specifications on such third-party sites, software, and/or offerings (collectively “Third-Party Offerings”) and shall not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of such Third-Party Offerings.