Hello! How are you, everyone? This is the blog How Unique Japan, which spreads unique information in the country.
Let me ask you first. Do you see some elementary kids going to their school with this bag?
The unique school bag is called Randoseru. Elementary kids in Japan use it throughout their school years (from six years to twelve years old).
So, in this article, we would love to write about such a funny attachment to school life.
History
Its history is quite old and long. The original one is from the end of the Edo era (1603 – 1868).
It was time for its end due to other powerful prefectures (they wanted the revolutionary war for the new era called Meiji later). Thus, the prefectures threatened the previous government, called Bakuhu, to accept change.
For the resistance, Bakuhu equipped the army with the latest Western military system.
So, they imported army equipment – for example, rifles from the UK and backpacks from Holland.
The backpack was the origin.
The name Randoseru is also from Holland. They call the backpack ransel. However, the Japanese read that with Roman letters (they have a sound/pronunciation different from English). So the ransel became randoseru.
After the prefectures defeated the Edo era, the Meiji era started with the Western military system.
It was an incredible change for Japan because they first accepted dictatorship to democracy.
Meanwhile, the education system for the public started. It includes almost all children besides the son of the Japanese emperor (Ten-no). So, the son entered elementary school in 1887 and started to use that backpack.
It was a gift from a prime minister of the Meiji era. He wished the kid would be strong enough to join the military (it was just a metaphor), so, he sent the backpack. At that time, the Randoseru was expensive for people in average society due to its cow skin ingredients.
The game changer came later in the Showa era. While Japan was experiencing high economic growth (around 1950 and 80), it allowed people at the average level to be rich.
This is why the Japanese started to use the backpack/Randoseru to follow high society. Additionally, the improvement of technology created fake skin, making the backpack cost much cheaper.
Color
The Randoseru had only two colors, red and black.
Because the ingredients were cow skin before the fake one was, the makers wanted to paint the natural skin beautifully with a smooth/shiny texture. After some experiments, the red and black were to be effective. It is why the Randoseru had only two.
Besides, the color patterns worked to recognize sex. The black one (used to) belonged to boys, and the red one belonged to girls.
Do you think it is prejudice? Yes, no doubt. But please come to believe and try to sympathize with us. Japan has had the mind of patriarchy for so long since the Edo era started. That is why.
Great improvement
Although the school bag has a history and has improved over time, there is NO OFFICIAL RULE TO USE IT. Everyone can choose which bag is suitable for school life. However, many Japanese still follow the old behavior.
Because all Japanese are afraid of being an exception, meaning everyone usually uses the same things.
However, Japanese society finally (and gradually) accepted the diversity and variety nowadays.
So now, everyone can choose the different colors for the backpack. Look at those pictures.
It should be wow. We feel jealous of children in the present time because we did not have the choice of color for them when we were in our teens.
To close
It is about the backpack for school children, Randoseru. Let me ask you: Did you get a question about the Japanese community’s fear of exceptions? (It is in a section Fun Fact above.)
If you do, please visit the front page of this blog. Our blog has more unique information about Japan, including tips for the question. Moreover, it also has articles about the Edo era, Japanese food, lifestyle, and religions.
OK! It is all for this time! Thank you very much for reading this article.
See you for the next uniqueness in Japan!