In a world where fashion and technology change at the speed of light, one item in Japan stubbornly resists time, trends and cheap production. This is the randoseru — the traditional Japanese school backpack that costs hundreds of dollars, but carries much more than textbooks.
At first glance, the randoseru looks like a well-made leather backpack with a strict, almost military design. What is unique about it is that despite the presence of the most modern technologies, it is largely handmade, and its manufacture can take several days.
The materials used range from genuine leather to high-tech synthetics such as Clarino — lighter, but just as durable. Regardless of the choice, the end result is a product designed to withstand six years of daily use - from the first to the last day of elementary school in Japan.
Randoseru manufacturers pay great attention to ergonomics. In Japan, children carry quite heavy textbooks from an early age. Therefore, the design of the backpack is created in such a way that it distributes the weight evenly across the back and shoulders, without straining the child's posture.
Safety has not been neglected either - almost all models have reflective elements to ensure greater visibility in the dark hours of the day. The sturdy, almost armor-like construction protects both the contents and the young students from injuries.
In Japan, randoseru is not just a school accessory. It is a gift with emotional meaning, most often presented by grandparents upon entering first grade. It is an act that symbolizes the transition from carefree childhood to the responsibility of school life.
In many families, the backpack is kept for decades, sometimes even displayed in the home as a memento of the beginning of a long educational journey.
The average price of a randoseru ranges between 300 and 800 USD, but more luxurious versions - with personalized elements, special engravings or rare materials - can exceed 1000 USD. Against the background of technological devices and fashion goods, this may seem absurd. But for Japanese families it is one of the few “investments” in a child's life that is simultaneously practical, emotional and long-term.