BACKPACK TALK

Insights from Leading Japanese Stylists on Craft, Style, and Comfort

With over half a century of experience crafting traditional Japanese randoseru, Tsuchiya Kaban’s backpacks embody the refined craftsmanship rooted in tradition. Now rapidly expanding into the fashion space, our backpack offerings continue to grow—earning fans both within Japan and across the world.

What is it about a leather backpack that feels so timeless? And how do we style them today to best suit our lifestyles and aesthetic preferences? Our leather expert, Manager Jun Shimatani, sits down with two leading Japanese stylists to share their insights—personal and professional—on the enduring appeal of backpacks.

PROFILE

Takeshi Toyoshima

Stylist

Primarily active in editorial work for magazines and online media, including men’s fashion magazine UOMO. He is known for his signature styling—clean and simple, always with a distinctive twist

Masaaki Ida

Stylist

Well-versed in fashion trends, Ida works across a broad range of fields—from editorial styling for magazines like MEN’S NON-NO to advertising, celebrity styling, and fashion show direction.

Jun Shimatani

Tsuchiya Kaban R&D Manager

Jun Shimatani, our in-house leather expert, began his career in construction before transitioning to leathercraft at Tsuchiya Kaban. He now oversees prototyping and quality control, serving as a vital link between our designers and workshops.

PART 01 FROM MODERNIZED RANDOSERU TO FASHION-FORWARD BACKPACKS
PART 02 WHAT LEATHER BACKPACKS BRING TO A LOOK
PART 03 DESIGN + MATERIAL: THE FUTURE OF LEATHER BACKPACKS

PART 01

FROM MODERNIZED RANDOSERU TO FASHION-FORWARD BACKPACKS

Shimatani: We’re best known for our Randoseru, but we’ve actually been crafting a wide range of bags for the past twenty years. Our backpacks are especially notable for their comfortable, ergonomic design—an evolution of the skills and techniques we’ve honed through Randoseru making.

Ida: What other ways do you apply the techniques developed through Randoseru-making?

Shimatani: Because Randoseru are crafted from thick leather, they require heavy-duty threads like No.0 and No.1. We carry this approach into our backpack designs as well.

Toyoshima: Tsuchiya Kaban also created an original Randoseru design exclusively for adults, isn’t that right?

Shimatani: Yes—the OTONA RANDSEL Collection was launched ten years ago as a modern take on the traditional Randoseru, reimagined for the workplace. At the time, suits were still the norm in business settings, so we designed it as a new kind of backpack that could be worn seamlessly with formal attire.

Toyoshima: I see, the boxy shape and flap are reminiscent of the Randoseru.

Shimatani: The OTONA RANDSEL features a satchel-style lock for a more modern feel, but the back, which is crucial to comfort, is padded in a way that is similar to Randoseru to maximize comfort.

Ida: Oh, the back of this backpack is three-dimensional as well, just like the Randoseru. Is this another variation of the OTONA RANDSEL?

Shimatani: This one is our TSUCHIYA Legacy Backpack. One highlight of the Randoseru is the level of comfort when you carry it—so we preserved that, while being more adventurous with the silhouette.

TSUCHIYA Legacy Backpack

TSUCHIYA Legacy Backpack

Shimatani: The OTONA RANDSEL Italian Leather and TSUCHIYA Legacy Backpack are both crafted from Italian leather. Each item carries its own unique characteristics, which deepens over time. At Tsuchiya Kaban, our most beloved items are those that showcase the evolving charm of leather as it ages.

Ida: You offer lots of different leather backpacks! I didn’t realize there were so many.

Shimatani: Our adult bags originally started as a collection of bags suited for business and more formal occasions—but we’ve expanded our product range to include more casual designs suited for daily use. We’re currently expanding our backpack offerings, especially after our success with the OTONA RANDSEL.

PART 02

WHAT LEATHER BACKPACKS BRING TO A LOOK

Ida: Listening to you talk, it really hits me how much love Tsuchiya Kaban has for its products. It seems like it’s a brand that genuinely enjoys the possibilities that leather offers, whether it be Randoseru, work-oriented bags, or the more fashion-forward backpack designs we’re looking at today.

Toyoshima: The bags are thoughtfully designed for everyday functionality—even the more playful styles never compromise on practicality or craftsmanship. They stay true to the brand’s core design ethos, which, to me, feels distinctly Tsuchiya Kaban.

Shimatani: Whether it’s backpacks or other products, we’re always exploring new ideas that inspire fresh ways to enjoy leather bags.

Tone Nume FlapTop Backpack

Ida: Of all the backpacks here today, my favorite is the black Tone Nume FlapTop Backpack. Until recently, bulky street-style silhouettes dominated the trends—but lately, there’s been a shift toward chic, pared-down looks, like a tucked-in shirt with slacks and a belt, often paired with leather shoes.

Shimatani: We don’t follow trends too closely, but we’ve definitely felt that shift.

Ida: I'm more interested in elegant and sophisticated items than I've ever been before. As an adult, I want something a little more on the elegant side—this FlapTop Backpack is perfect. It would match a dressy outfit, but it’s not too formal that it can’t be worn casually.

Shimatani: The Tone Nume FlapTop Backpack was redesigned for our Spring 2024 collection with an urban, smart, and elegant aesthetic, so I’m glad to hear it resonates.

Ida: It would pair well with a modern casual style, like the black skipper and white pants I'm wearing today. The leather straps would even allow it to match a tailored jacket or slacks.

Tone Nume FlapTop Backpack

Large Everyday Backpack

Toyoshima: I style my bags casually, so I would choose this Large Everyday Backpack. It’s a shape that would pair well with sweatshirts, but because it’s leather, it would also look great worn over a coat. I've also always been partial to classic daypacks.

Ida: That item is very you!

Toyoshima: I like that the straps are not leather. That would make it a little harder to style casually.

Shimatani: We had many discussions about the straps on this design. Our usual choice would have been leather, but to create a lighter feel, we opted for nylon instead.

Large Everyday Backpack

Toyoshima: I love how the mix of materials gives this design a casual impression. I’m all about relaxed style—like wearing this bag with a T-shirt, sweats, and a jacket. Or even a matching sweatpant set, paired with a Soutien Collar coat and a baseball cap.

Ida: You have a casual, relaxed style, yet there’s always an elegant touch—both in your styling work and your personal wardrobe.

Toyoshima: I really like wearing quality things that look simple—like sweats made from cashmere—that’s why a backpack that features a casual daypack design, but is made from leather, is perfect for my style.

Large Everyday Backpack

Ida: Coveralls with a black denim outfit, like Mr. Toyoshima's outfit today, paired with a leather backpack, will give a sophisticated impression.

Toyoshima: Yes. A leather backpack can give what would otherwise be a casual outfit an elegant maturity. The sort of military green of this backpack in particular is also a nice touch.

Ida: Leather has the ability to give your look a mature and refined edge. That’s why I always include at least one leather item in my outfit, no matter how casual the look.

Shimatani: Maybe it’s almost like the difference between a painting with a frame and one without a frame? I definitely think that leather pieces have an overall refining effect. I love leather shoes and have a variety of different types, but I often choose them to elevate an outfit. The same goes for bags.

PART 03

DESIGN + MATERIAL: THE FUTURE OF LEATHER BACKPACKS

Rolltop Backpack

Roadster 3way Backpack

Ida: I’ve also been curious about this unusual backpack with a roll-top opening, with a simple, sack-like silhouette … is this also made of leather?

Shimatani: This is our Rolltop Backpack, from our Traditional Japanese Crafts series. It’s inspired by traditional Japanese rice bags, and it’s made from a unique material made by bonding duPont's recyclable high-density polyethylene material Tyvek® with thin cowhide, which gives it a paper-like lightness and texture.

Toyoshima: This is really light. It looks simple, but it has a zipper opening that gives you direct access to your belongings, and a pocket for small items on the back. These kinds of features impact a bag’s functionality a great deal.

Shimatani: Tsuchiya Kaban has been equipping its backpacks with a back pocket for cell phones, even since the flip phone era.

Rolltop Backpack

Roadster 3way Backpack

Ida: This backpack with a long strap that can be carried as a shoulder bag really appeals to me. The natural leather texture adds a rugged touch.

Shimatani: That’s the Roadster 3way Backpack; you can carry it three ways. The waxed leather gives it a nice vintage look.

Toyoshima: Do you make any suede backpacks? I’ve found that some people don't like the sheen of leather; it would be nice if there was a backpack made of short-pile suede or nubuck.