Hello! How are you, everyone? It is the blog: How Unique Japan. We always share unique information in the country.
Let us ask you first. Do you see some elementary kids going to their school with this bag?
The unique school bag is Randoseru. Elementary kids in Japan use it throughout their school years (from six years to twelve years old).
In this article, we would like to write about that funny attachment to school life.
History
Its history is quite old and long. The original one is the end of the Edo era (1603 – 1868).
It was time for its end due to other powerful prefectures (the resistance). The prefectures threatened the previous government, called Bakuhu, to accept change for new era.
For protection, Bakuhu equipped the army with the latest Western military system.
Indeed.
They imported army equipment, rifles from the UK, and backpacks from the Netherlands.
The backpack was the origin.
The name Randoseru is also from the Netherlands. 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 broke the Edo period, the Meiji era (1868 – 1912) commenced with a military system modeled on Western practices.
Japan underwent a significant transformation as it transitioned from dictatorship to democracy.
Meanwhile, the official education system also started. It includes almost all children. It was no exception for his son of the Japanese emperor (Ten-no).
So, the son entered elementary school in 1887 with that backpack.
It was a gift from the prime minister of the Meiji era. He wished the kid would be strong enough to join the military.
Thus, he sent the backpack. At that time, the Randoseru was expensive for people in the average society due to its materials. It was cow skin ingredients.
The game changer came later in the Showa era. While Japan experienced high economic growth (from approximately 1950 to 80), it allowed people at the average level to be rich.
Hence, the Japanese started to use the backpack/Randoseru to follow high society. Additionally, the advanced technology created fake skin, making the backpack much cheaper.
Color
The Randoseru was available in only two colors: red and black.
Why?
It was due to the materials, cow skin. The makers wanted to color the natural skin to look beautiful with a smooth/shiny texture.
After some experiments, they found that red and black were effective. It is why the Randoseru had only two.
Furthermore, the color patterns also served as a means of identifying the 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.
However, please come to believe and try to sympathize with us. Japan has had a patriarchal mindset for so long, since the Edo era started. That is why.
Great improvement
Although the Randoseru has a history and has improved over time, there is NO OFFICIAL RULE TO USE IT. Everyone can choose any bags suitable for school life. However, many Japanese people still observe traditional customs and behaviors.
Because all Japanese are afraid of being an exception, meaning everyone usually uses the same things.
However, Japanese society has finally (and gradually) accepted diversity and variety nowadays.
Now, everyone can choose different colors for their 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 us ask you: Did you get a question about the Japanese community’s fear of exceptions?
If you do, please visit the front page of this blog.
Our blog has more articles about Japan. We now have four categories. They are 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!