Randoseru
A randoseru (ランドセル) is a firm-sided backpack made of stitched firm leather or leather-like synthetic material, most commonly used in Japan by elementary schoolchildren. Traditionally it is given to a child upon beginning his or her first year of school. The term is a borrowed word from the Dutch "ransel" meaning "backpack", a clue to its origins nearly 200 years ago as used in the Netherlands.[1]
In more conservative schools the color,brand and design is mandated, typically with red as the traditional color for girls and black for boys. However, due to changing attitudes toward gender stereotypes, more colorful versions such as pink, brown, dark blue, green, blue and even two-tones are more widespread.[2] These varieties have existed since the 1960s but sold poorly due to the lock-step mentality of the education system that gradually began changing in the early 2000s. The increased variety of colors is partly as a compromise for parents to retain some tradition within modernized schools which no longer require the use of traditional uniforms or of the randoseru.[3]
[2]Most randoseru production is carried out by hand, one part is used in the body plus 100 or so fittings. Die-cut materials, urethane backing plates, walnut-gluing, drilling each shoulder strap, sewing machine, crimping, and hand-sewing is all required. The bag's materials and workmanship are designed to allow the backpack to endure the child's entire elementary education (six years). However, the care usually given to the randoseru throughout that time and afterwards can extend its life and preserve it in near-immaculate condition long after the child has reached adulthood, a testament to its utility as an accessory and the sentiment attached to it by many Japanese as symbolic of their relatively carefree childhood years.[4]
It measures roughly 30 cm high by 23 cm wide by 18 cm deep, and features a softer grade of leather or material on those surfaces which touch the body. When empty, the average randoseru weighs approximately 1.2 kilograms (about 2½ pounds avoirdupois). Due to demand for a lighter, more robust Randoseru, as of 2004 approximately 70% of are now made from the synthetic leather Clarino. Also since Japan's revised curriculum guidelines from the fiscal year 2011, there is a growing demand for the bags to be large enough to hold A4 standard paper files without having to bend them. Support is divided by the manufacturers with respect to whether or not to increase the size of the bag.
The randoseru's durability and significance is reflected in its cost: a new randoseru made of genuine leather can carry a price tag of over 30,000 yen, almost 350 US dollars, at the May 2010 exchange rate. Clarino, a synthetic material frequently used as a substitute,[4] reduces the cost somewhat. Often randoseru are available on auction sites, in new or used condition, at much lower prices, particularly after the start of the Japanese school year in April. As of January 2012, the five top randoseru in order of popularity at Amazon.co.jp are in the 7,980–25,200 yen (100–330 US dollars) range.
To increase traffic safety for children commuting to and from school, many communities have begun working with The Institute for Traffic Safety (交通安全協会) to distribute yellow plastic covers that drape over the back of the Randoseru to increase its visibility.
See also [edit]
Notes [edit]
- ^ Vardaman, James M., Jr.; Michiko Sasaki Vardaman (1995). Japan from A to Z: Mysteries of Everyday Life Explained. Tokyo: Yen Books. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9784900737419. OCLC 34661245. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ a b "ニッポン・ロングセラー考 Vol.11 ランドセル". COMZINE (in 日本語). NTTコムウェア. 2004-03-24. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
- ^ Shimura, Gorō (2008). The Map of My Life. New York: Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 19–20. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79715-1. ISBN 9780387797144. OCLC 254700435. Retrieved 24 May 2012. "There were naturally plenty of knapsacks in the store, and she asked me which one I liked. Somehow I was attracted to one in light brown that had a soft feel, and picked it.… On the first day of school I discovered that practically all new pupils had black, red, or pink ones"
- ^ a b Gordenker, Alice (20 March 2012). "Randoseru". So, What the Heck Is That? (monthly column in: The Japan Times). p. 10. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
External links [edit]
Media related to Randoseru at Wikimedia Commons- Manufacturing process of a randoseru (movie) (Japanese)
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