The first-generation Tenuis—a slim, compact wallet—featured a dedicated holder for inserting “notebook pens,” which are manufactured by only a limited number of companies. The reason designer Sola chose to include this holder in such a minimalist wallet stems from his experiences traveling abroad from the 1990s through the early 2000s.
Why She Carried Analog Paper and a Pen
Back then, there was a sense of security in carrying data and notes on analog paper rather than in digital form.
However, as a minimalist, I wanted to avoid having to put a large notebook in my bag every time, as that would mean carrying more items. So, I adopted a method of cutting out a single sheet of paper from a small notebook, folding it several times, and carrying it in my wallet.
To accommodate this minimalist approach, I’ve been using a dedicated planner pen ever since; I remember half-forcing it into a gap in my wallet—which didn’t have a dedicated holder—back then.
Practicality
Having a pen and a piece of paper in my wallet at all times was extremely helpful for immediately jotting down phone numbers of people I met while traveling or making quick notes on the spot.
Also, when it came to filling out various forms—such as entry cards and customs declarations—at airports or on planes, I could pull the pen right out of my wallet, so I never had any trouble while I was there.
Elimination of the Pen Holder Starting with the Second Generation
Later, since many users in Japan who used Tenuis for everyday purposes commented that “there’s no need to carry a pen in such a minimalist way on a daily basis,” SOLAHANPU discontinued this holder starting with the second generation and later models.
At the same time, with the advancement of electronic devices such as smartphones, people are increasingly recording information directly in digital notes rather than taking analog notes, so we believe this feature will be used even less in modern lifestyles.
However, I believe this holder could still be useful in products like the “VOLARE” travel wallet—which holds items such as passports—or any travel wallets SOLAHANPU might release in the future.
I find it truly fascinating from a design perspective to think through the intricate details required to incorporate functionality into such a limited space.
The First-Generation Tenuis
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