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Sori Yanagi Furniture

Japanese, 1915-2011

Sōri Yanagi was a Japanese product designer. Born in 1915 in Tokyo, Japan. His father was Yanagi Sōetsu, founder of the Japanese folk crafts mingei movement, which celebrated the beauty of everyday objects, and the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan). Yanagi entered Tokyo Art School in 1934, where he studied both art and architecture. He played a role in the Japanese modern design developed after the Second World War to the high-growth period in the Japanese economy. Yanagi was both a representative of the wholly Japanese modern designer and a full-blown Modernist, who merged simplicity and practicality with elements of traditional Japanese crafts. He designed the official torch for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. Yanagi died in 2011 at the age of 96.

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Creator: Sori Yanagi
Wooden Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Stool in Molded Plywood by Tendo Japan, 1980s
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and iconic wooden mid century "butterfly" stool in molded plywood by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko Japan, 1980s. In good condition and purchased by the previous owner on a busines...
Category

1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, (1915 - 2011) an iconic figure in Japanese industrial design. Originally created in 1954 using the moulded plywood technique that had been newly ...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Dronten, NL
A perfect fusion of western function and eastern or Asian sensibility, the iconic butterfly stool was originally conceived in 1954 by Japanese designer Sori Yanagi. The stool is made...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, (1915 - 2011) an iconic figure in Japanese industrial design. Originally created in 1954 using the moulded plywood technique that had been newly c...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Vitra
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Centreville, VA
The Elephant Stool, designed by Sori Yanagi for Vitra, is a playful yet elegantly crafted piece that showcases the harmonious blend of function an...
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Rare Japanese Stool by Soetsu Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Uccle, BE
This stool was made in 1936 for the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum. Made of Japanese cherry wood and seagrass. Today, you can still see the original benches made for this museum. Yanagi Soetsu (1889 – 1961), also known as Yanagi Muneyoshi, was a Japanese art critic, philosopher, and founder of the Mingei (folk craft) movement in Japan in the late 1920s and 1930s. His son, Sori Yanagi, was a renowned industrial designer. In 1916, Yanagi made his first trip to Korea out of curiosity about Korean crafts. The trip led to the establishment of the Korean Folk Crafts Museum in 1924 and the coining of the term mingei by Yanagi, potters Hamada Shoji (1894–1978) and Kawai Kanjiro...
Category

1930s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Seagrass, Cherry

Japan Furniture Exhibition '61
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
Catalog accompanying an exhibition held in the United States in 1961, sponsored and published by the Japan Export Furniture Manufacturer Association (JEFMA), a trade organization of 48 leading furniture makers in Japan, in collaboration with their government-run National Industrial Arts Institute, with the dual purpose of stimulating the production of Japanese “Good Design” in furniture, and introducing the results to the U.S. market. According to the introduction to this, the second iteration of this exhibition, “it is full three years since the First Exhibition was held in the United States in 1958…these recent years, we Japanese furniture manufacturers have increasingly equipped with facilities for mass production, so that we are now in a position to offer the products of better quality at lower prices. At the same time we have been making efforts to create furniture of graceful design with Oriental taste, using Japanese traditional craftsmanship. We have mainly selected the furnitures which are ready for mass production, and added some pieces of Japanese taste.” The 24 page catalog presents chairs, tables, and case pieces by prominent Japanese architects and designers including Katsuo Matsamura, Taichiro Nakai, Kozo Asari, Hideo Saito, Takeshi Mineo, Yujiro Yamaguchi, Ryuchi Ise, Fukuji Suzuki, Masaharu Ito, Keisuke Nakamura, Yo Yamagishi, Shigeru Imai, Shiro Kodo, Tadao Kawanami, Akira Sogi, Tomoichi Yoshida, Sori Yanagi, Taichiro Nakai, Toshio Miyake, Motoi Kojima, Fukui Suzuki, Akira Takayabu, Selichi Watanabe, and T. Nii, along with works from the Industrial Arts Institute and an armchair by American ex-pat Noemi Raymond, wife of architect Antonin Raymond. Manufacturers include. Manufacturers represented in the exhibition include Akita Mokko Co, Bokai Industry Co, Fuji Furniture Co, Haneda, Kosajujo Co, Inada & Co, Iwai Kogyo Co, Imada Mokko Co, Kobe Wood Chemics Assoc., Kosuga & Co, Kotobuki Seating Co, Kobyashi Fukuzo & Co, K.K. Shimada Seisakusho, Kubo Shoten Co, Kassai Manufacturing Co, Miyoshi Mokko Co, Okamura Mfg. Co, Sakigake Furniture, Santa Kogyosho Corp, Tendo Mokko, Tsuji Mokko Co, Tottori Kagu Kogyo Co, Taihei Mokko Co, Toki Mokko Co, Toyohashi Mokko Co, Yamaguchi Co...
Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Paper

BUTTERFLY Stool Stool Chair Design Sori Yanagi Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Saarburg, RP
BUTTERFLY Stool Stool Chair Design Sori Yanagi Stool The “BUTTERFLY” stool by Sori Yanagi combines elegance and functionality in a timeless design. Inspi...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Metal

Sori Yanagi 'Collection' Dining Armchair in Stained White Oak for Hida
By Sori Yanagi, Hida
Located in Glendale, CA
Sori Yanagi 'Collection' Dining Armchair in Stained White Oak for Hida For centuries, famed Hida artisans in Gifu prefecture have played a role in Japan's woodworking culture, craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Oak

Sori Yanagi Vintage Rosewood and Brass Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in North Miami, FL
This iconic and collectable butterfly stool is a work of simple and elegant sculpture by the Japanese designer Sori Yanagi. It is rosewood and brass structure. The combination aesthe...
Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Brass

Japanese Sake Glass Set by Sori Yanagi, 1970s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
A masterpiece of Japanese design, these vintage sake glasses by Sori Yanagi embody the harmony of form and function. With their refined silhouette and subtle elegance, they offer a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Glass

Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Sori Yanagi (Japanese, 1915-2011); Tendo, attributed. (Japan) Marking(s); notes: no marking(s) apparent Materials: rosewood veneer over plywood, brass ...
Category

1960s Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi 'Monjiro' Stool in Oak and Steel for Hida
By Hida, Sori Yanagi
Located in Glendale, CA
Sori Yanagi 'Monjiro' Stool in Oak and Steel for Hida. For centuries, famed Hida artisans in Gifu prefecture have played a role in Japan's woodworking culture, crafting iconic bentwood furniture from sustainable local forests. Established in 1920, Hida Sangyo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Javanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Sori Yanagi 'Collection' Dining Chair in White Oak for Hida
By Hida, Sori Yanagi
Located in Glendale, CA
Sori Yanagi 'Collection' Dining Chair in White Oak for Hida For centuries, famed Hida artisans in Gifu prefecture have played a role in Japan's woodworking culture, crafting iconic ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Oak

Sori Yanagi Side Chairs for Kotobuki, Pair, Designed in 1969
By Kotobuki, Sori Yanagi
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
Stackable side chairs designed by Sori Yanagi in 1969 and manufactured by Kotobuki. Sold as a pair. Priced in pair. Upholstery, FRP (fiber-glass reinforced plastic), steel.
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Steel

Sori Yonagi for Hida Bleached Oak Table and Chairs Reissue 2022
By Hida, Sori Yanagi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful dining table and chairs by Sori Yanaga Design for Hida of Japan. This wonderful set in oak consists of 2 armchairs, 2 side chairs and the 47 inch diameter table. While he...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Oak

Sori Yanagi 'Monjiro' Coffee Table in Oak and Steel for Hida
By Hida, Sori Yanagi
Located in Glendale, CA
Sori Yanagi 'Monjiro' Coffee Table in Oak and Steel for Hida. For centuries, famed Hida artisans in Gifu prefecture have played a role in Japan's woodworking culture, crafting iconic bentwood furniture from sustainable local forests. Established in 1920, Hida Sangyo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Javanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Related Items
Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Sori Yanagi (Japanese, 1915-2011); Tendo, attributed. (Japan) Marking(s); notes: no marking(s) apparent Materials: rosewood veneer over plywood, brass ...
Category

1960s Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
H 15.25 in W 16.5 in D 11.75 in
Bar Stools in Rosewood Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of bar stools produced in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

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Steel

Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Tabouret No. 307 in oak with tubular steel legs, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Marked with Vitra label. Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) was a French architect, designer, and builder, ren...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

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Steel

Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Japan Mid-Century Modern Stacking Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single bentwood stool by Isamu Kenmochi (1912-1971) for Akita Mokko. Original condition, minor scuffs. Label, circa 1950s Kenmochi was one of the most significant designers in midcentury Japan. He was a founding member of the Japan Industrial Designers, which included Sori Yanagi and Riki Watanabe...
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Beech

Incredibly Rare Tall Stool by Nanna Ditzel
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very uncommon tall stool by Nanna Ditzel for Domus Danica, circa 1969. These examples were made for a very short time and in very small numbers. This piece in a bright yello...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Japanese antique stool / wood stool wabi-sabi stool
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stool is made from a stump that was cut down from a pine tree. The polished parts give the impression that the chair has been touched and enjoyed. In addition, to adjust the i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Akita Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Designed by Isamu Kenmochi and produced by Akita Mokko, this stool is considered one of the icons of Japanese modern design. Kenmochi is known for his works that blend traditional J...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Midcentury Stool Produced by Mario Sabot, Italy 70s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare stool designed produce by Mario Sabot Italy in the 70s Lacquared wood and leather.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Japanese primitive stool / wabi-sabi stool / Flower stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stool made from branches exudes a sense of wabi-sabi. It has a simple shape, with legs made of joined branches and a small tabletop nailed to it. Although simple, it is solidly ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Primitive Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is a rare stool from the Showa era (1926-1988). It is made of "zelkova", known as a high-quality wood. The beauty of the wood grain stands out, and its simple yet striking mini...
Category

Early 20th Century Showa Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi
H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Pair Vintage BKF Hardoy for Knoll Cream Leather Butterfly Stool
By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic butterfly ottoman in stunning cream leather, designed by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy and produced by Knoll. An essential companion to the butterfly ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Iron

Primitive Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi Stool
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an old Japanese stool. It dates from the Taisho period (1913-1930s). It is made from Beech wood. It is simple and tasteful, exuding a world of wabi-sabi. It has been repair...
Category

Early 20th Century Taisho Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi – Kotobuki - Japon - 1950s
By Sori Yanagi, Kotobuki
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An early edition of the iconic Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi, produced by Kotobuki in 1954, featuring its original publisher’s label. Designed in fiberglass—a groundbreaking material...
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Palisander Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, (1915 - 2011) an iconic figure in Japanese industrial design. Originally created in 1954 using the moulded plywood technique that had been newly ...
Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Butterfly stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Centreville, VA
Ease of travel in the jet age encouraged a growing fusion of cultural influences after World War II. Although Yanagi's stool was designed and manufactured in Japan, it employs Weste...
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Maple

Butterfly stool by Sori Yanagi
Butterfly stool by Sori Yanagi
H 15.25 in W 16.5 in D 12.25 in
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool Rosewood Brass
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Diego, CA
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in rosewood and brass. Designed in 1954 and produced in the 1990s. Signed, Sori Yanagi.
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool Rosewood Brass
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool Rosewood Brass
H 15.25 in W 16.75 in D 12 in
SORI YANAGI , Mageki Stacking Chairs for Akita Mokkou , 1960s , Japanese modern
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
SORI YANAGI , Mageki Stacking Chairs for Akita Mokkou , 1960s , Japanese modern each price
Category

1960s Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi, "Butterfly" Stools, Walnut, Brass, Japan, 1954
By Tendo Mokko, Sori Yanagi
Located in High Point, NC
A set of first production walnut "Butterfly" stools, designed in 1954 by Sori Yanagi and produced by Tendo Mokko, Japan, c. 1960s. Unlabeled. Seat height: 15.75"
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Black Sori Yanagi Elephant Stools by Kotobuki Japan c. 1950s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of black Sori Yanagi Elephant Stools by Kotobuki, Japan c. 1950s. Yanagi foil sticker on underside. Originally designed by Yanagi as ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool or Ottoman
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ottoman designed by Sori Yanagi. The walnut bent plywood frame mirrors one another showcasing a butterfly shape, hence the name. The stool is finished with brass hardware. Dimension...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool or Ottoman
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool or Ottoman
H 15.25 in W 17.25 in D 11.75 in
Sori Yanagi ‘Elephant’ stool for Kotobuki, Japan 1954
By Kotobuki, Sori Yanagi
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Elephant stool by Sori Yanagi for Kotobuki Seating Company, Tokyo 1954. Yanagi originally designed the stool as a work chair for his studio, a couple of years later it was released b...
Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi, Oval Mirror for Akita Mokko, 1980s
By Akita Mokko, Sori Yanagi
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
Wall hanging mirror that was designed by Sori Yanagi in 1977 and manufactured by Akita Mokko. There is only one seam in the frame, which shows Akita Mokko's excellent technique. S...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Beech

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Kotobuki
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
The Elephant Stool was designed by Sori Yanagi in 1954. This stool, which was released in 1956 with FRP material, which was rare at the time, was used in the pavilion at the 1970 Osa...
Category

1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Kotobuki
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Kotobuki
H 14.57 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Sori Yanagi Model "Butterfly" Stool for Tendo Mokko, Japan, 2000s
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Skokie, IL
Sori Yanagi model "Butterfly" stool for Tendo Mokko, Japan, 2000s Additional Information: Materials: laminated walnut, brass Dimensions: 15 1/2" H x 17" W x 12" D Condition: Ex...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Sori Yanagi furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Sori Yanagi furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Sori Yanagi furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Sori Yanagi were created in the mid-century modern style in japan during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Junzo Sakakura, Akita Mokko, and Takeshi Nii. Prices for Sori Yanagi furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,221 and can go as high as $11,095, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,500.

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