Shizuoka's Unique School Style: The Secret of the Yellow Oudan Bag The "Oudan Bag" as an Everyday Sight

For the author, who lives in Shizuoka Prefecture, seeing elementary school children carry bright yellow sub-bags in addition to their randoseru (traditional Japanese backpacks) when commuting to and from school is an absolutely normal part of daily life. If you spot this eye-catching yellow bag, it's very likely a trademark of elementary school students in Shizuoka.

When the author was an elementary school student, I used this yellow bag every day. Textbooks and stationery went into my randoseru, while gym clothes, cups, and cutlery for school lunch were all put together in this yellow bag.

At the time, I don't recall there being a strict rule that we had to use this yellow bag, but all my classmates used them, and many children still do today. This sub-bag is called an "Oudan Bag."

The Birth of the Oudan Bag: Born from a Wish for Children's Safety

The Oudan Bag was born about 60 years ago, during an era known as the "Traffic War." With the spread of automobiles, traffic accidents, especially those involving children, became a significant social problem.

Back then, a common safety measure for children crossing roads was to take a yellow flag from a cylinder placed at intersections and carry it across. However, flags were often only returned to one side, meaning many children didn't have one when needed.

Seeing this situation, Toshio Miyahara, the first president of Miyahara Shoten Co., Ltd., the distributor of the Oudan Bag, deeply worried about his own son's safety commuting to elementary school. He then conceived the idea for this yellow bag as a safety measure to ensure all children were always visible to drivers.

The Role of "Oudan Bags" in Ensuring Safety

The vibrant yellow of the Oudan Bag is designed to make children more visible to car drivers, even on cloudy days or during dim hours. This bag plays a crucial role in protecting children's safety.

The bag's surface is printed with "横断中" (Oudan-chū), meaning "Crossing Now." Children are meant to hold the bag facing drivers who are waiting at crosswalks as they cross. This embodies a wish: for children to thoroughly check left and right before crossing, and for drivers to remain aware and wait until children have safely crossed the road.

The Meaning of "Oudan" (おうだん - Oudan)

"Oudan" (pronounced "Oh-dan") means crossing a road. This word is composed of two kanji characters:

• 横 (Yoko): In Japanese, "yoko" means "side" or "horizontal."
• 断 (Dan): While "dan" can mean "cutting" or "breaking," in this context, it carries the nuance of "across" or "through."

Therefore, "Oudan" refers to the act of "crossing over" or "proceeding horizontally through something."

Growing Recognition for "Oudan Bags" Outside Shizuoka

While this yellow Oudan Bag is widely used within Shizuoka Prefecture, it is by no means a common item across all of Japan. It was once a local custom, but in recent years, it has gained recognition through media like TV and social media as a "sight unique to Shizuoka." People in other prefectures are gradually becoming aware of it.

For children in Shizuoka, it's an everyday part of their lives, yet for people from other regions, it appears as a "regional culture." The Oudan Bag is one such cultural characteristic.

The Oudan Bag: A Souvenir Culture Born in Shizuoka

The "Oudan Bag" is actually a registered trademark of Miyahara Shoten Co., Ltd., its distributor. As it gained nationwide recognition as a custom unique to Shizuoka Prefecture, it has now become a popular and unique souvenir item.

Beyond the regular size for school commutes, you can find mini sizes perfect for small items, and even colorful Oudan Bags in shades other than the classic yellow. If you visit Shizuoka and wish to acquire this unique bag as a souvenir, you can find them at places like JR Shizuoka Station.

Born from the traffic conditions of the past and a parent's wish for child safety, the Oudan Bag is truly an item filled with distinctively Japanese thoughtfulness and ingenuity. We hope this bag allows you to experience a glimpse of Japan's regional culture and its commitment to safety.