Randoseru meaning

Randoseru Meaning and Cultural Significance

The randoseru, a distinctive backpack traditionally carried by new elementary students, becomes a vibrant symbol of Japanese culture during the picturesque cherry blossom season in April, it is one of the initiation events of the life. Randoseru is written "ランドセル" in Japanese, and often translated into English as "Japanese backpack," its historical roots trace back to the Edo period, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of Japan. Originally, the cloth backpacks were imported at the end of the Edo period, primarily utilized by soldiers, which may explain their robust design.

The box-shaped randoseru is believed to have originated at Gakushuin, a prestigious educational institution in Tokyo. In those early years, while school uniforms were adopted, the methods of commuting varied among students, and some children did not carry their own items. Gakushuin emphasized the importance of equality among students, advocating that the home environment should not influence educational opportunities. This philosophy led to the belief that all students should bring their own school supplies. At that time, a military-style backpack was an ideal choice due to its practicality—easy to carry and designed to free up both hands.

The term "randoseru" itself is thought to be inspired by the Dutch word "ransel," referring to a similar type of backpack. In 1887, the box-shaped school bag as we recognize it today made its debut, with black leather eventually becoming the standard material of choice. By 1890, the detailed specifications for the "Gakushuin-type" randoseru were finalized, establishing a basic style that has endured for over a century.

Randoseru Means 'A Gift for My Own Child' to Us

On a winter's day, just before his eldest son was set to start elementary school, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, the current chairman, decided to create the best and most special school bags for his child.

He began crafting high-quality randoseru from premium Cordovan leather, known as the diamond of leather, and crafted with great care and attention to detail, enhanced by his own skills and experience.

The randoseru was meticulously designed with the utmost care and his extensive experience.

The randoseru was handcrafted with the intention of being "for my own child."

After considerable trial and error, a shiny dark blue randoseru was completed.

While black was a tradition and poplar choice for boys (red was for girls), he designed a unique school bag for his son, who cherished the color blue.

Needless to say, his son was delighted with his randoseru. At school, he is instantly recognized at school as "the boy with the dark blue randoseru," helping him make many friends.

After six years of adventures, the randoseru remained intact, never losing its shape or broke, but instead becoming more beautiful, celebrating graduation day alongside its owner.

More or less 30 years later, the exquisite texture of the randoseru remains, and its aging has only enhanced its appeal.

This represents the prototype of the "New Antique," a strong and beautiful randoseru that retains its shape even after six years of use.

Following the craftsman create for his first son's randoseru, enhancements were made for his second son and eldest daughter, resulting in a total of three randoseru crafted for the current chairman's children. These three randoseru stand as symbols of the Yamamoto Bag Factory & Shop. At our factory, we cherish to create randoserus as if they are gifts for our own children.

When considering the purchase of a randoseru, parents gather information of duarability, specification and price, materials from online and social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, and try to find their children's favourite colors not just black and red, but also pink, navy blue, brown. With options now sold both in physical stores and through online sites, parents can easily choose the perfect randoseru for their children.

In a modern context, Yamamoto Bag Factory & Shop carefully creates randoseru like a gift for my own child at our own factory in Nara, Japan, aiming to bring many smiles to each family. We would like to continue to support them from their backs as the cherry blossoms bloom in April and a new generation of students, dressed in their uniforms and carrying their randoseru, steps into a world of learning and adventure.

From Japan to the World: Sharing Our Cherished Craftsmanship

Recently, we’ve noticed a delightful trend: many foreign adults are visiting our shop to purchase randoseru, not only for their children but also for themselves. This growing interest fills us with joy, as it signifies that the unique qualities and charm of randoseru are being appreciated worldwide.

One of the standout features of our randoseru is its adjustable shoulder strap, which can be modified from approximately 53cm to 74cm. This means that both adults and children can comfortably share a single randoseru, allowing them to enjoy a stylish accessory together while fostering a sense of connection through fashion. Please enjoy choosing randoseru with your family!

We are committed to continuing our mission of crafting randoseru that bring joy and happiness to everyone’s life. Whether for school, outings, work, or simply as a fashionable statement, we aim to create products that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.