Every day, our skilled craftspeople work diligently in our workshops to craft beautiful, durable Randoseru.

What inspires them to continue perfecting their craft, day after day? 

We sat down with Manager Suzuki, who leads our Nishiarai workshop in Tokyo, to learn more about the philosophy and meticulous craftsmanship behind every piece.

Q. Where and how are Randoseru crafted?

Suzuki: We have three workshops—Nishiarai, Karuizawa, and Saku—with around 100 craftspeople working here at Nishiarai alone. It's a meticulous process that requires over 150 parts and 300 steps to complete—so the process is divided among seven specialized teams, each responsible for different stages, from cutting leather and assembling parts to sewing and final touches.

Q. What is the philosophy behind Tsuchiya Kaban’s craftsmanship?

Suzuki: What we consider most important in crafting Randoseru is achieving a balance between durability and beauty. These bags are traditionally used for 6 years by students, and they need to stay in good condition for that entire duration.

That’s why we design them to endure heavy use over many years, ensuring durability and safety; and this is really our primary duty, as Randoseru craftspeople.

Q: How does Tsuchiya Kaban ensure the quality of its Randoseru?

Suzuki: A big part of this is being extremely diligent about the smallest of details—changing thread thickness and seam width depending on placement, for example—or reinforcing vulnerable corners with “kikuyose,” a traditional finishing technique. These are just a couple examples of the countless details we pay close attention to.

Another is our dedication to making true, exemplary Randoseru; it's the same we've carried since the founding of Tsuchiya Kaban. We craft these bags with the utmost care, especially because they are traditionally used by children. We want each owner to feel a connection with their bags every time they use it—so we emphasize both aesthetic beauty and comfort.

Q: What makes Tsuchiya Kaban’s approach unique?

Suzuki: As craftspeople, our job often requires efficiency—but while this is important, taking shortcuts would diminish the integrity of our Randoseru. We believe that dedication to every step and detail is what results in exquisite beauty, as well as the warmth and care that can only be infused by hand.

We do mentor our less experienced members, but we don’t believe in top-down dynamics. It’s important for each of us to think critically and gain hands-on experience in order to grow; so my role is to encourage teammates to work side by side towards the same goal, whether new or seasoned— challenging themselves and learning from their mistakes in the process.

Ultimately, this allows us to not only have fun with the craft, but also come up with creative solutions—it’s what keeps us evolving individually and collectively.

Q: What motivates the Tsuchiya Kaban team?

Suzuki: The joy our work brings to others is our biggest motivation. After more than a decade of crafting Randoseru, I still find it deeply rewarding—and I know many of my colleagues feel the same.

One of the most touching moments is receiving letters from children, thanking us and telling us "I will take good care of this bag.” Knowing that our craftsmanship brings people joy keeps us inspired every day.

Q: What is Tsuchiya Kaban’s vision for the future?

Suzuki: While we honor tradition, we also embrace flexibility and innovation. Artisanal craftsmanship is sometimes seen as rigid, but we believe adaptability is an important strength. That’s why we evolve with our customers’ needs while maintaining the integrity of our work.

At the core however, our purpose remains unchanged: to craft quality bags that bring joy—not just to the customers who carry them, but to those around them as well. I believe this is what will continue to guide us forward.

Thank you, Suzuki-san, for sharing your insights!