この教材で英語力アップ！語彙から始めて、理解チェックやまとめ、ディスカッションに挑戦してみましょう。
Vocabulary
Armor– : Protective clothing worn by soldiers in battle.
The museum displayed ancient samurai armor from Japan.
Craftsman– A person who makes things skillfully by hand.
The craftsman spent many hours making the leather bag.
Luxurious-Very comfortable, expensive, and high quality.
The hotel room had a luxurious design.
Inspired– Having a creative idea because of something you saw or experienced.
The movie was inspired by a true story.
Meticulously– Very carefully and with great attention to detail.
The watchmaker meticulously repaired the old clock.
Article
A Unique Backpack Inspired by Samurai Armor
A unique randoseru school backpack from Nagoya has recently become popular on social media. Many people say it looks like the armor worn by samurai warlords during the Sengoku period. Some people also commented that the backpack looks heavy. Even though the backpack appears very delicate and luxurious, the idea for it actually came from a craftsman who wanted to reduce waste.
The backpack is called Akairokozane-Oudoubyou-Hainougusoku, which means a backpack made with red metal plates and brass rivets. It was created by Noriki Okada, a 44-year-old craftsman working for Murase Kabanko in Nagoya. He designed the backpack using red leather and modeled it after the armor worn by the Ii clan, a famous samurai family known for their “red regiment.”
In 2024, the backpack won the Artistic Design Award at the Japan Leather Award, a major competition for leather products. Interestingly, the backpack was made partly from leftover leather pieces. Okada wanted to reduce waste because many small pieces of leather are usually thrown away when making backpacks.
Okada did not always work as a bag maker. At age 26, he quit his job to become a manga artist. Later, at age 30, he decided to change his career and joined Murase Kabanko. Over time, he improved his skills and eventually earned the highest certification from the Japan Bag & Luggage Association.
The armor-style backpack took more than six months to complete. Okada meticulously carefully adjusted every piece by hand and even used leather with wrinkles or scratches to reduce waste. The final product weighs about 2.1 kilograms, which is heavier than the average backpack. Because of this, Okada jokingly says it may be better for display than everyday use.
Each backpack costs about 500,000 yen and is made to order. Most inquiries have come from overseas customers. Okada hopes that his design will inspire people around the world to Japanese culture and history, and he plans to create more unique products in the future.
Source: The Mainichi Shimbun (English)
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions following the article in English.
- What inspired Okada to design the backpack like samurai armor?
- Why did Okada want to use leftover leather materials?
- How long did it take to complete the backpack?
- Why might the backpack not be ideal for everyday use?
Summary
In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.
Discussion
Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.
- Do you think traditional culture should inspire modern products? Why or why not?
- Would you buy a backpack like this if you had the money? Why?
- What are some ways companies can reduce waste when making products?
- What traditional designs from your country could be used in modern products?
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英語を“使える力”へとつなげていきましょう。
