Unveiling the 'OTONA RANDSEL' by TSUCHIYA KABAN: A Masterpiece Born From Decades of Backpack Expertise

Tsuchiya Kaban Seizousho is one of Japan's premier makers of 'randoseru' school backpacks. During peak season, their stores across the country see long lines of customers, all seeking high-quality randoseru.

Harnessing the expertise honed from making these backpacks, the company launched the "OTONA RANDSEL" under its "TSUCHIYA KABAN" brand for adults.

Crafting Backpacks for the Smiles and Healthy Growth of Children

Before we dive into TSUCHIYA KABAN's bags for adults, it's essential to understand their roots in randoseru craftsmanship.

Tsuchiya Kaban Seizousho started in 1965 in a small workshop in Adachi, Tokyo. The founder, Kunio Tsuchiya, dedicated himself to making randoseru, driven by the desire "to bring smiles to children's faces and to fulfill the wishes of families for their children's healthy growth," all while relentlessly pursuing a blend of durability and elegance.

Their exceptional quality quickly built a reputation, and the company grew into one of Japan's foremost randoseru manufacturers. In 2022, Tsuchiya was recognized as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for being a pioneer in leather randoseru manufacturing. Even now, at over 80 years old, he continues to work in the studio. His spirit of craftsmanship has been passed down to the approximately 700 artisans and staff members today.

The Launch of TSUCHIYA KABAN: Products for the Modern Adult

In 2000, 35 years after its founding, the company began making bags for adults, leveraging the proven techniques honed through randoseru making. Following a rebranding in 2023, the brand updated its name from Japanese characters to the Roman alphabet to prepare for global expansion.

For an inside look at the "OTONA RANDSEL," we spoke with Mariko Funayama, a designer in the KABAN Product Planning Department at Tsuchiya Kaban Seizousho Co., Ltd.

"The first 'OTONA RANDSEL' was released in 2015, the year Tsuchiya Kaban Seizousho celebrated its 50th anniversary. To be honest, the idea of creating a randoseru for adults had been floating around the company, even with our current president, for years. The 50th-anniversary milestone was the perfect opportunity to bring the project to life, driven by our desire to 'shape a new form of evolution while utilizing our randoseru-making techniques.'"

"Today, leather backpacks for the professional world are quite common, but back then, you rarely saw them. The OTONA RANDSEL was created as a new type of bag that didn't exist before, integrating our time-honored randoseru-crafting techniques throughout its design. It's an item packed with specifications that let adults fully appreciate its functionality."

The Iconic Presence of TSUCHIYA KABAN™

Let's take a closer look at the OTONA RANDSEL collection. It masterfully blends the distinct details of a classic randoseru with a sophisticated modern aesthetic, creating a unique presence you won't find with any other brand.

"A child's randoseru is built to last for six years of school. They are typically made from coated leather, but for the OTONA RANDSEL, we also offer models crafted from Nume leather—a material often used in high-end adult bags, celebrated for the beautiful patina it develops over time. This Nume leather is a heritage material that Tsuchiya Kaban has been using for decades, and we've channeled that history into creating the '001wide' model.

We carefully select our tanneries based on the specific leather and product we aim to create. The Nume leather used for the OTONA RANDSEL is sourced from a Japanese tannery. Design-wise, its form faithfully follows the iconic boxy shape of a randoseru, which is designed to keep its contents safe and secure. We also incorporated the kabuse, the large, distinctive flap that is a signature feature of the randoseru.

As for the clasp that secures the kabuse, children's randoseru typically use a rotating metal lock called a jomae. The OTONA RANDSEL, however, features a different type of clasp called a sashikomi-jo. With this mechanism, you simply insert the tab, and a stopper automatically locks it in place. To open it, you press the stopper to release the lock, ensuring a smooth yet secure closure.

The back panel also features the same U-shaped cushion found on our children's randoseru. This cushion gently molds to your back, providing a comfortable fit that minimizes fatigue even after hours of wear. This level of comfort is the result of Tsuchiya Kaban's decades of expertise in crafting randoseru, and it's a value we want adults to experience. This kind of technology, which is not commonly seen outside of Japan where the randoseru culture doesn't exist, is a hallmark of Tsuchiya Kaban's long-standing dedication to the craft.

We applied the same philosophy to the OTONA RANDSEL's shoulder straps, incorporating design elements unique to randoseru. This helps distribute weight evenly across the shoulders and back, reducing strain during long periods of wear. We also considered that adults often need to access their belongings on the go, so we designed the straps and overall fit to ensure comfort even in those moments.

For instance, you might need to grab a pass case or your phone while commuting. That's why the OTONA RANDSEL features a side pocket that you can access without having to open the main flap. We also added a top handle for carrying by hand, anticipating that you won't always be wearing it on your back. It's a design that considers usability across all kinds of daily scenarios, from business meetings to casual outings."

A Variety of Leathers and Styles

Over the decade since its launch, the OTONA RANDSEL has been released in a wide range of variations, each with its own distinct character. We continue our conversation with Funayama to learn more.

"In contrast to the structured Nume leather, we also have the '002wide' model, which is made from 'Vachetta Milled Leather.' This leather is tanned in Tuscany, Italy, and is infused with a generous amount of oil, giving it a soft, supple feel and a beautiful grain. While the fundamental design is the same as the 001wide, we've fine-tuned details like the pocket specifications to suit the unique properties of this leather."

"We also offer waterproof models in our lineup. This version is available in a large size as well, and it's crafted from our 'Waterproof Smooth Leather.' The leather is treated with 3M's Scotchgard™ Protector, making it highly resistant to stains and water damage."

"Furthermore, our latest OTONA RANDSEL model released in 2023, the 'FT 001,' takes a bold new direction by removing the traditional kabuse flap in favor of a magnetic closure. A randoseru's form is a beautiful fusion of curves and straight lines, and this model offers a fresh interpretation of that aesthetic while preserving its elegant silhouette."

A decade since its debut, the OTONA RANDSEL has become an iconic symbol of TSUCHIYA KABAN.
Its appeal extends beyond the boardroom; thanks to its chic design, it's widely embraced for casual use and is a favorite choice for customers both in Japan and overseas. Additionally, the brand offers an amazing lifetime support service. For anyone searching for "a genuine piece that will last a lifetime," TSUCHIYA KABAN offers a definitive choice.