Japanese men carrying purse

[Homerduff]

This isn't something you just see now and then; each man on the streets in Japan (or at least Tokyo) carries some sort of bag or even a purse with them.

It has even been this severe, that whenever I saw a man WITHOUT bag/purse, I immediatly felt that something was missing..

My question is; what's inside it ?

What's so special that they have to carry it with them all the time ? Why not put your cellphone and wallet just inside your pants pocket ?

You can fantasize if you want..

[nice gaijin]

I used to be a wallet/key/cellphone only kind of guy, but I have to say that having a bag is a pretty practical thing, regardless of the sexist preconceptions that come with being seen with one. I'd carry my phone, keys, wallet, handkerchief, pens, notepad, bottle of water, maybe some snacks and my DS. The bag also comes in handy if you buy something small and don't want to carry it around all day in your hand. It also frees up your pockets, which is kind of liberating

[Uncle Frank]

I lug it one handed instead of putting it on my back. Probably a big shoulder strap purse type bag would be much more practical, but in Maine I would get laughed at or beat up.

Uncle Frank

[Goldiegirl]

I don't mind guys with like messenger bags, brief cases, back packs etc, but a Louis Vuitton purse just ain't right!

[bakaKanadajin]

I recently gave-in and bought myself a man-bag.
I got it at VAT, if anyone's familiar with that outlet.
At any rate, I tried to pick the most masculine thing there, just because although I have no problem with Japanese guys using man-purses I prefer something a little closer to what I'm used to. There are extents to which my 'when in Rome' will go lol.

I got a kind of canvas satchel bag, something Indiana Jones might carry around, but it has brown leather and brass buckles. So, kind of like, Indiana Jones on a Saturday night, maybe. It goes nicely with just about anything I wear to work and the strap is long enough to wear cross-wise which is how I like it, as opposed to on one shoulder.

I also have a holster that I use sometimes. It's one of those hip-slung satchel bags that you see hair stylists and barbers with, where they put all their scissors and junk in. They were popular a little while ago, but you see them less-so now. I got it because I like the look regardless of whether it's currently 'in' or not. It's alot more like a purse though, because I use it strictly to keep my keys, wallet, phone, gum, coins, etc in. The only difference between it and a woman's purse I guess is that its smaller and looks more like a men's accessory and I wear it hanging off my hip like a holster, vs. off my shoulder like a bag.

Like this, but smaller and no scissors :)
http://ezcutz.com/main_files/Barber%20holster.jpg

[gaijinalways]

Man purses =murses.

they have become somewhat popular in some parts of Europe, but personally I prefer a backpack or briefcase for other stuff beyond my wallet.

[Pachipro]

When I lived and worked in Japan I always carried a shoulder bag as that was the most convenient way tro carry all that I needed including my books, camera and Walkman (I know that dates me!), wallet, lunch, etc. I remember when I returned to the US with it, my sister commented on what a great purse it was!

I tried carrying a man-purse when it became fashionable in the 80's, but I had the habit of always forgetting it on the table or whatever when out in public so I stopped carrying one. Besides, it just didn't feel manly. I'm surprised they are still used today. I know I would never carry one, but I would always have my shoulder-bag for the convenience it offered. Besides, most men had one and still do.

[FrustratedDave]

It means you look like a gangster and are on a collecting run. J/K

As my wife put it, it is something that "ossan's" do...

[kireikoori]

But a Louis Vuitton purse just ain't right!
Same for a woman then.

Japanese guys wear purses?
I've heard the same said for some Europeans.

Seriously, to hell with this gender role.

[Taiko666]

While simply 'testicles, spectacles, wallet and watch' is sufficient for going out in the evening, I nearly always carry around a small backpack during the day. The contents vary according to what I'm up to.

I tried a small man-bag once (in Tokyo), but it just didn't feel right. I made the mistake of wearing it in London once, and my friends thought I'd decided to 'bat for the other team.'

[alantin]

Seriously, to hell with this gender role.

There are things that just aren't supposed to be! :blush:


I tried a small man-bag once (in Tokyo), but it just didn't feel right. I made the mistake of wearing it in London once, and my friends thought I'd decided to 'bat for the other team.'

They have a name for those bags here that's pretty much in line with how your friends felt: gay-bag

Still.. Having something like what bakaKanadajin introduced could be handy!
Although, There are things that, when done in the wrong places, can be very unhealthy!

I usually carry my laptop with me when I'm at school and also have other things in the bag too. It's a little too big and heavy to be convenient though.. :okashii:

[kireikoori]

There are things that just aren't supposed to be! :blush:
Yeah, like gender roles.:blush:

[alantin]

Yeah, like gender roles.:blush:

Hmm.. Perhaps you should make a thread or poll of this one! :souka:


I don't think that gender roles are a bad thing unless they are used to promote unequality (which, I feel, is being done often enough in the world)

Men and women just aren't meant to be the same and they shouldn't try to be the same. Being different does not mean unequal.

Still, I'm not saying that people need to confine themselves to these roles if they can't fit them.


Make a thread about this and let's see what people think! :wave:

[bian]

In Japan I have to bring condom all the time

n they dont fit in my pocket
so sometimes i carry a bag
backpacks make me looks like a little kid or a traveler
the normal bag i dont know how to say it makes me looks like a school kid
so the last option is the purse-like bag which is quiet fashionable.

[Akakubisan]

As I recall I never had a problem fitting a condom in my pocket, what are you carrying? A full body condom? If so I don't think you have to worry that much. :p

[alantin]

Well.. people come in different shapes and sizes.. :p

[DCM_Dan]

A Japanese employer of mine gave me a really nice man-purse a few years back. The thing was Armani or something and (he said) cost Y50,000 !
I tried to carry it for a while, but just couldn't make it a habit. They can be convenient, but like all purses, you start to carry more crap than you actually need...

[SpikeDaCruz]

Man carrying purses...is just playing silly...:okashii:

[ASHIKAGA]

Well, you have to have a certain amount of Chutzpah to get away with carrying a man purse.

Me? I like to have my hands free so I carry a shoulder bag.

[KarmaSugababe]

Same for a woman then.
Japanese guys wear purses?
I've heard the same said for some Europeans.
Seriously, to hell with this gender role.

It is not common in UK for men to have a man bag like Joey in friends it is just plain weird. If more women's clothes had pockets I would do away wth my handbag.

[Dutch Baka]

Lol, I find it kind of weird to see teenager boys with pink hair pins in their hair.... but yeah Japanese guys and long hair is also weird IF you compare it to western countries.

[dreamer]

Well...in western countries you have lots of boys with long hair...
for example: Surfers, Emos and those Metal fans...

[Emoni]

A silly little thread, but highly practical and promotes the importance of the Man-bag!

Honestly, I STILL have my bag that I used in Japan. Beige and scruffy looking. I will carry it to college when I have to visit a teacher or if I need to bring my laptop. While not one to care what others think on fashion, I've never gotten a negative comment about it. I don't carry it EVERYWHERE, but if I have a need to carry things I'll bring the ******. (Holy crap, the word s-u-c-k-e-r is censored here? Um why?)

I do need to wash it... the poor thing never has been washed. It's traveled all of East Asia, been thrown up on, has metal bits sticking out and torn in places...

[Emoni]

http://ezcutz.com/main_files/Barber%20holster.jpg[/img]


Wow, that looks like something an efficient serial killer would sport. Not that you are one, but it looks a bit spooky!

[Dutch Baka]

Well...in western countries you have lots of boys with long hair...
for example: Surfers, Emos and those Metal fans...

But those boys don't stand in front of the mirror all the time. :relief:

[dreamer]

But those boys don't stand in front of the mirror all the time. :relief:
Who knows what they do during their free time? :p

[Azuma_Fujin]

I don't really mind either way, i think on some guys (especially my husband) man bags look cool. The upside of him not caring what others think is that if i've got too much junk in my bag, or it's too heavy, he will carry it on his shoulder for me. Which is totally acceptable to me. :)

I don't think there is anything un-masculine about it. In fact, it's more masculine to me the fact that some guys are confident enough to be who they want to be in this world without worrying what others think. :)

[Dogen Z]

Guys in Tokyo carry bags in different styles: messenger bags for high school or hip hop dudes, back packs for eikawa guys, expensive attaches for lawyer and finance types, old fashioned brief cases for old salarymen, and tote briefcases for fashion forward guys.

If anyone has a problem with this, you need to get a life.

[Chipi]

I can't believe you actually have a thread on this...

First of all men all over the world are using bags, not just Japanese men. And VERY GOOD that they are using them, if they want to.

Why do so many people want to restrict others? What they should or shouldn't wear etc. "Man bags" really are cool, and practical as well, as someone already mentioned.

I also feel sorry that a fellow finnish national says such an old-fashioned&narrowminded comment that it would be 'gay' for men to wear bags. It's not. Not in this world and this time anyways. So foolish to restrict your own comfort (if it would be more practical to use a bag) only because you're concerned over your image?

Anyways, all the best, most exciting new ideas in fashion/appearance/showing who you are come from Japan, and are converted into world-wide trends through trend agencies and fashion designers.. so just watch out ;)

[caster51]

First of all men all over the world are using bags, not just Japanese men. And VERY GOOD that they are using them, if they want to

WOW, I thought their pockets are as big as Doraemon's

[Charles Barkley]

Guys in Tokyo carry bags in different styles: messenger bags for high school or hip hop dudes, back packs for eikawa guys, expensive attaches for lawyer and finance types, old fashioned brief cases for old salarymen, and tote briefcases for fashion forward guys.
If anyone has a problem with this, you need to get a life.

Messenger bags aren't just for high school students--college/postgrad students use em as well.

I love having my (timbuk2 messenger) bag. Like a lot of people who commute far from their homes by public transportation, if I didn't have a bag, I would only have my pockets, and that just isn't sufficient for holding all the things I need every day, which at the very least is:

-sunglasses
-electronic dictionary
-cell phone
-small notebook for newly learned japanese words
-pens/highlighters
-tissues
-hanko
-waterbottle
-wallet
-at least one book/magazine to kill the hour plus spent sitting on the train

Pockets will only fit some of that stuff...

[GodEmperorLeto]

Messenger bags aren't just for high school students--college/postgrad students use em as well.

Well said. I see lots of guys over on this side of the Straits carrying them. These days, we have a lot more luggage than we used to. I, for one, carry my laptop and few books. These days, with the popularity of trade paperbacks, you can't just jam one into your pocket anymore. Not without wrecking the binding.

Although I have to admit that I see a lot of these guys with, as some of us foreigners call them, "merses" (man + purse) that are definitely not attache cases. Yeah, they do look weird. And I'm not a fan of the idea myself, but I'm not going to knock someone for wearing them. Besides, plenty of dudes this side of the Tsushima Strait wear pink.

[gaijingig]

oh brother.. How funny would it be to have a Louis vuitton bag before my GF? whats next wearing heels? what would your call them meals?

[mgclenney]

Intresting thread.............:souka:
time for my two cents. :p
IMHO If you got a lot of stuff you like to or got to carry around then get a bag.
And don't listen to people who say it isn't "manly" to carry around a bag. People use to say its not lady-like for women to wear pants. But did we listen to them? HELL NO! Pants are comfortable. If your more comfortable carrying your wallet and cell phone in a bag rather than in your back pocket, where it's going to annoy the hell out of you everytime you sit down, then more power to you.

whats next wearing heels? what would your call them meals?
But there are men that already wear heels, they're called drag queens. And I think a lot of them wear them better than most women. :blush:

[gaijingig]

MG,
HAHAHA YOU ARE RIGHT... My uncle used to carry a sort of bag.. it was a rich guy thing.. it looked like a small well...bag.. I carry an waist pack.. when i was in Japan last summer.. i carried that and a back pack while going to different parts of the country and while local traveling(within whatever city i was in) i just carried my wast pack.
besides i look terrible in heels..
Thanks for the reply

[mgclenney]

@gaijingig :lol: :lol: :lol: awwww, i'm sorry you don't look good in heels
Although I have this crazy feeling you don't really mind :giggle:

[gaijingig]

My GF likes to wear them, i think partly because she knows i love her in them(or out of them). i'm 6ft tall i would look pretty funny i would think..
you're right i dont mind NOT wearing them! thats HER job!

[uchimizu]

Well, I may be a little bit old-fashioned, but I am still reluctant to wear a handbag here in France. One of the reasons is that I feel far safer having my wallet, mobile phone and keys in my narrow pockets rather than in an easy to access handbag.

[gaijingig]

Thanks for the repky...
I went to france not too long ago.. The folks here in NY always told me to "watch your pockets, Some of the worlds best train in France" I thought it was funny.
Yeah, i'm with you I like a zippered pocket. I think it might be safer than "MAN BAG"

[ArmandV]

The only bags I carried in Japan was a small duffel bag or camera bag (with cameras).

[gaijingig]

I hear that!! i think i carried 2 with me.. My Nikon D2XS and my small point n shoot..Nikon P5000 smaller cam stayed in my Mountain smith "Bum" BAG..

[literature]

I guess since it's so technologically advanced, everyone carries a laptop or cool gadgets and stuff, not forgetting camera. Lol, I don't know!

[GameOver]

Guys in Tokyo carry bags in different styles: messenger bags for high school or hip hop dudes, back packs for eikawa guys, expensive attaches for lawyer and finance types, old fashioned brief cases for old salarymen, and tote briefcases for fashion forward guys.
If anyone has a problem with this, you need to get a life.

Interesting stuff, the man-bag phenomenon never caught on in Britain (nor will it ever i feel). I'm a backpack guy (always take it everywhere 'just in case'), don't like messengers, i guess cos they throw off my balance... :? and being an ever helpful dude, i've carried my fair share of female friend's bags, but i just don't see the attraction, i'll take pockets any day!

Big fan of bum-bags/fanny-packs (i love american terms sometimes!) also, as they're basically removable pockets, sadly i think i'm gonna look like a big time tourist because of this...

Damn my lack of fashion sense!:(

[powerman]

Well, I'm guessing there is about 10 different hair styling products in those bags

[Chris K]

A record bag was de rigeur with cool UK hipsters like myself in the 90's.
Nowadays I carry a smarter leather one (which I found in Tokyo as it goes). I find it useful especially because I smoke roll ups and without a bag I end up with bulges all over the shop which I find quite unsightly.
A while ago a friend was ribbing me about having a 'man bag' and asked what does a man carry in his handbag. Luckily it was full of spanners, screwdrivers and spares for my car so I left with my machismo intact.

[hogdriver]

Ninja fit right in, and be armed to the teeth with hidden weapons?

Sign me up...If you think I am a girly man, it is because I want you to think I am a girly man..and if I succeed in that? My objective is that much easier for me to accomplish.

I would WANT to be underestimated as a girly man, and be packin all kinds of hidden, interesting presents for you if and when you make your move, and show me your true intentions towards me.

Ninja survive.

You won't and don't.

You can meet your end believing I am a girly man as far as I am concerned, 'cause aferwards I will continue on home, and get some tail from my hott wife waiting to service my needs and desires.

That is how I roll.

[Matthew Ota]

Many people who are webheads now carry notebook computer cases. They double as "man bags" because they feature extra pockets that can carry things like cell phones, keys, calculators, etc.

[hogdriver]

Well, I'm guessing there is about 10 different hair styling products in those bags


Good...you are NO threat to me...you would be an easy valuable scalp to turn in and get paid for.

By the way honey, what shade of lipstick would you like me to wear to your funeral to honor your memory and kiss your corpse goodbye with??

[Sukotto]

I read about these things in an issue of Giant Robot magazine a couple years ago. I've never seen them in Japan, mainly because I've never lived there for any period of time.

Here in the states I've used bag in recent years, but not something that could be called a purse, even before seeing them in GR. The type of cloth bag one could use for groceries. It had long enough and wide/sturdy enough straps that I could stick my arm through it and over my shoulder. As a bus rider I would often carry some books or magazines to read, maybe some extra cds, bottle of drink, etc...Extra room to just throw in something if I bought it. After seeing the GR article I joked to a co-worker that it was my 'man purse'.

Useful. But sometimes would slip down my arm if I had to run for the bus. That and with winter have caused me to switch to my backpack. Plus the backpack had more compartments for stuff such as band-aids, pens...etc. ha! Just like a stereo-typical purse. Everything but the kitchen sink!

[Chipi]

...and by the way, about the _heels_.
A bit of trivial information for you; High heels were originally developed for men in the beginning of 16th century. They were invented to stop their feet from slipping when they were riding. After that, the use of high heels continued as fashion wear, and the heels got higher and higher...;)

[JamesS]

@Chipi, Wow I never knew that :D

I tend to wear a 'shoulder strap' bag, im not sure what to call it, but it's handy when travelling, got room for; DS, Book, basicsmall first aid kit, notebook, food and whatever else I bung in their before travelling anywhere XD

I wouldnt go as far as calling it a purse because its just a shoulder bag! Its quite stylish too, (at the risk of sounding slightly camp lol) I have my own little fashoin sense which depends on colours not brand names and this really fits with most things because its sort of an old washed out browny colour XD