A Take on the Man Bag

This week’s topic on Gender in Japan is perhaps one of the more difficult topics to write about. Yet in my two months of living here in Japan, the question which pertain to blurring gender lines is why so many men in Japan seem to be carry large over-the-shoulder bags that are similar to their women's counterparts. In particular, many of the young male students in Kansai carry these large tote-like bags to hold their various items. Questions which stem from this would include: What is the origin of handbags for men, especially in Japan? Why are these kinds of bags so popular here and not back in the United States?

The answer to the question of the origin of the male bag was difficult to search, and the only tidbit I was able to track down was a popularity which emerged in the 1970s. One can safely assume that this fad faded out for a period of time and was reintroduced into the fashion world. The two styles that I have noticed the most included a sling bag (slightly smaller than an average messenger bag) and totes which have two handles and can be slung on the shoulder.

For the American college men I interact with everyday, they would agree that carrying a purse would be practical, but they can usually hold all the items they need in their pockets, which include: keys, a wallet, and a cell phone. So why would these students vote to carry these kinds of bags?

By asking a few of my newfound friends here, the reasons I’ve received were twofold: 1) Fashion. The standard for men’s fashion here in Japan vastly differs than what you would find on an Upstate New York university campus. The best way to describe it would be more experimental in the combinations of solid, bright colors and patterns in their outfits. 2) Convenience. The average Japanese Kansai Gaidai student commutes to school for about one to two hours per day. It would be impossible to carry all of one's possessions in their pockets and slinging a bag over is a more convenient option than a backpack.

Even Japanese magazines cater to their clientele, promoting this kind of fashion. My Western friend originally wanted to buy his first magazine in Japan ‘Fine Boys’ and wondered why the cover boasted a “free gift.” He discovered to find a sizeable tote bag as his free gift. Inside the magazine contained a spread which provided suggestions on how to sport his new bag depending on his outfit choice. He explained that he felt more comfortable carrying it here in Japan than he would back in the States. The fact that more young males tended to carry these same bags and that they were not necessarily a "women's" fashion item in this part of the world blurs these distinct gender-specific fashion boundaries one would find in the United States.

More Links:

PingMag: A short article on men's handbags in Shibuya, Tokyo: Fashion HQ in Tokyo.

Bartman905: What might a man carry in his "man bag"?