new products

Specially designed 'public telephone' backpack

8 Comments
By Dale Roll, SoraNews24

It used to be that London phone booths were the iconic public feature, but since they’ve started being phased out in the U.K., they’re slowly becoming a thing of legend. But that leaves room for something new to take its place…perhaps the Japanese public telephone?

With its almost shockingly bright green color and blocky design, the Japanese public telephone could work up to being as iconic as the historical red booth. It already seems to have a decent following of fans within Japan, which might be why a backpack designed after the green gadget has gone viral on Twitter.

telephone-bag1.jpg

The backpack was created by Twitter user Yu Ogasawara, a Japanese leatherworker and woodcrafter who has won numerous prizes for her unique designs. This particular work seems to get the strongest response when she puts it up for display, and that’s probably because it looks exactly like its namesake, and is not only adorable and wearable, but also durable and valuable since it’s made completely of genuine leather.

telephone-bag3.jpg

It’s also fully functional (as a backpack). The handset is the perfect size for as a pencil-case, and when unzipped, the front panel opens up the storage compartment. There is even a small pocket for storing your phone and earphones on the inside of the front panel, and the coin slot actually serves as a way to pull your earphones through without opening the bag.

Plus, it looks like a real phone. You can push the buttons, and the handset can be removed from the holder, which uses a strong magnet to keep it from falling off while you’re walking. It doesn’t yet make calls, but with technology progressing as it is, it may only be a matter of time.

When asked what inspired her to make this bag, Ogasawara says that she used to use public telephones all the time when she was a child. Since they’re being removed and phased out as mobile phones become more common, she’s started missing seeing them around, and that’s why she decided to create a design in their honor.

Japanese netizens agree that it’s a wonderful homage. Since the original Tweet on April 10, they have been clamoring to buy one, but because it was a piece she made for school, she isn’t yet able to put them on the market, though she hopes one day that she can. She has so many other cute and pretty designs, like the turtle backpack and zebra purse below, so undoubtedly she’ll be able to build a successful business when she does put her works up for sale.

Twitter and Instagram are a great place to find some talented artists in all kinds of mediums, from oil paints to paper to even Excel spreadsheets! It’s amazing how much talent there is the world, and it’s really fun to find it in unexpected corners of the internet.

Source, images: Twitter/@yutoyou_yty

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Astro-cat is ready for take off with this DIY “kitty backpack”!

-- Cool onigiri holders from Japan let you carry your rice balls in style

-- Comic about international travel hits the nail on the head about the most bizarre spa behaviors

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

8 Comments
Login to comment

I got stepped on with high heels yesterday-I’ll take a telephone receiver anytime!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I love it! Lighten up Luddite, it's a fun bag FCS!

Fun until you've been whacked in the face with it in the street or on the train.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I love it! Lighten up Luddite, it's a fun bag FCS!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Looks kind of cool.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Very ugly and it's bulky shape makes it very anti-social. Back packs should be banned from being worn on public transport and public areas.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites