Interviews with Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.

The design carries forward the essential elements inherent to the Randoseru for adults. Randoseru-elegance, dignity, carrying comfort, and a sturdy box-shaped structure-while pursuing a more modern, sophisticated usability and silhouette.

We intend to use this award-winning experience to enhance the overall value of our brand and improve our product development.

About one year

This new model was developed as an iconic series for Tsuchiya Kaban’s brand. Setting itself apart from the standard lines, it is positioned as an icon that symbolizes our origins as a Randoseru brand. We aimed to create a backpack that represents our brand identity, designed to be appreciated not only in Japan but also in the international market.

All process are carried out in our own factory.

This project is rooted in the "OTONA RANDSEL," a version of the traditional Japanese school bag (Randoseru) redesigned for modern lifestyle,developed as our 50th anniversary model(2015). It builds upon the techniques of school bag manufacturing we have cultivated since our founding in 1965. While inheriting the original design philosophy, this model has been reconstructed into a new backpack form.

That is Kunio Tsuchiya, the founder of Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. He is a Randsoseru craftsman who received the "Contemporary Master Craftsman" award in 2022, which is given to active craftsmen with the highest level of outstanding skills in Japan.

This bag is primarily targeted at modern business professionals. It is designed for people who seek practical functionality for everyday use, while also appreciating Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship.

Rather than just redesigning a "randoseru" (Japanese school backpack), we believe the value lies in the philosophy itself, which has been cultivated for six years of use. What sets our bags apart from similar ones is that we have designed them in a way that naturally connects the philosophy cultivated for children's randoseru—such as durability, the culture of repair, and the burden on the body— for daily use.

We named it with the hope that the "randoseru," a familiar item to Japanese people, would become a part of adults' daily lives. We combined the children's bag "randoseru" with the Japanese word "OTONA," which means adult. We aimed for a name that is easy to understand at a glance.

We created the bag using sketches, prototypes, illustrator, and CAD. I placed particular importance on creating physical prototypes to check the material feel, structure, and how comfortable it is to wear.

The most unique aspect is that it reinterprets Japan's unique schoolbag culture as a product for adults. Not only are the structural elements such as the back padding, shoulder straps, and magnets incorporated, but the very philosophy of "designing it for long-term use" is at the heart of this design.

This bag was created in collaboration with craftsmen in our company.

Standard embedded magnets often allow the flap to open easily upon impact. However, increasing the magnet's strength too much makes opening and closing difficult. To resolve this, we developed an original magnetic closure that provides both secure strength and smooth operation.
The shoulder straps of Randoseru feature an S-shaped curve designed ergonomically to fit the body. Drawing inspiration from this, we created prototypes of shoulder straps with four different curvature variations and three different lengths. These were tested for carrying comfort by more than a dozen internal staff members to determine the optimal line for the straps. Also, by allowing the soft cowhide and cushioning sponge used on the underside to extend slightly beyond the edges of the straps—similar to the construction of children's Randoseru—we improved the tactile feel against the body and enhanced the overall fit when worn.
While the back panels of children's Randoseru are cushioned with sponge, this model features a three-layer sponge structure at the lower back—one layer more than the children's version—to provide better support at the waist. Additionally, following the traditional Randoseru design, the central portion of the padding is removed to create an air channel, improving breathability and overall carrying comfort.

We paid close attention to the shoulder strap design to distribute the load evenly across the shoulders and back. Drawing inspiration from this, we created prototypes of shoulder straps with four different curvature variations and three different lengths. These were tested for carrying comfort by more than a dozen internal staff members to determine the optimal line for the straps.

In Japan, there has long been a deep-seated stereotype that the Randoseru is exclusively for school children, rooted in specific structural standards unique to the country. This project aimed to overturn that preconception by elevating the typically casual backpack into a formal, "dignified" product through reinterpretation.

We applied the competition because we wanted to further expand the possibilities of design through third-party perspectives and evaluations, and use that to create new value and evolve as a brand.

Through this project, we were able to relearn the history and origins of our brand, and it gave us a chance to think deeply about how to express its values ​​in a way that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.

Nothing in particular.