From his cheerful Getsuen Lily chair to his provocative Ginza robot cabinet, Masanori Umeda’s furniture designs are often described by critics and collectors alike as poetic, ironic and full of whimsy.
Umeda was born in 1941 in Kanagawa, graduating from Tokyo’s Kuwasawa Design School in 1962. In 1967, he moved to Milan, Italy, where he began his design career working in the studio of Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. From 1970 to 1979, Umeda was a design consultant for the Olivetti studio, and there he met prolific furniture designer and architect Ettore Sottsass, who founded the Memphis Group, Italy's boldest, brashest postmodern design movement.
In the early 1980s, Umeda joined Memphis, creating his most famous piece, the Tawayara boxing ring seating unit in 1981. Comprising a monochrome, Tatami matte floor, tie-dyed cushions, bungee-style ropes and flexible lighting at each of the four corners, the Tawayara was Umeda’s homage to space-constrained Japanese living areas. It remains one of Umeda’s rarest pieces (only 30 were ever made). Fashion designer and icon Karl Lagerfeld once owned a Tawayara boxing ring that featured prominently in his Monaco apartment.
In 1986, Umeda returned to Japan and opened his U-MetaDesign Studio (now Umeda Design Studio Inc.) in Tokyo, garnering accolades for his uniquely lighthearted collection of armchairs, lounge chairs, table lamps and decorative objects.
Over the course of his career, Umeda has won several awards, including the BraunPrize in 1968, the Grand Prix of Japan Display Design Award in 1981, the Japan Commercial Space Design Award in 1984 and the Grand Prix of Good Design Award in 1990.
Umeda continues to design furnishings that embody the spirit of postmodernism, enjoying collaborations with Memphis Milano and Italian furniture manufacturer Edra. His pieces have been exhibited internationally and are held in the collections of museums around the world, including the M+ Museum in Hong Kong, which acquired more than 180 of his works in 2015.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Masanori Umeda seating, lighting and serveware.
Early 90's Production Getsuen & Rose Lounge Chairs Masanori Umeda for Edra Italy
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of early 1990's production Getsuen & Rose Flower lounge chairs by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda for Edra Italy 1990 Very rare to find 2 early production examples now combine...
Aluminum, Steel
Pair of Rose lounge chairs by Masanori Umeda for Edra, Italy, 1990
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A striking and highly collectible pair of ‘Rose’ lounge chairs designed by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda for Edra, Italy, in 1990. Conceived as functional sculptures rather than c...
Aluminum
TAWARAYA "Boxing Ring" Seating Pod by Masanori Umed, Memphis Design, Japan, 1983
By Masanori Umeda
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The TAWARAYA Ring by Masanori Umeda for MEMPHIS srl is one of that design movements most famous & critically-discussed pieces from the inaugural MEMP...
Laminate, Wood
Soshun Flower Stools by Masanori Umeda for Edra, Italy, 1990s
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Antwerp, BE
Striking 'Soshun' flower stools by Masanori Umeda for Edra, Italy, 1990s. Designed as sculptural blossoms, each stool features a velvet seat in deep crimson, evoking the softness and...
Metal
Ginza Wooden Robot by Umeda Masanori for Memphis Milano Collection
By Masanori Umeda, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Ginza wooden robot with plastic laminate, shelves & drawers by Masanori Umeda for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Wooden robot with ...
Plastic
Orinoco Ceramic Vase, by Masanori Umeda from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, Masanori Umeda
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Orinoco Vase in ceramic, was originally designed in 1983 by Masanori Umeda. Was born in 1941 at Kanagawa in Japan. He obtained his diploma from the Kuwasawa School of Design in Tok...
Ceramic
Parana Ceramic Fruit Bowl, by Masanori Umeda from Memphis Milano
By Masanori Umeda, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Trigonal ceramic fruit bowl in pastel colors was originally designed by Masanori Umeda in 1983 for Memphis Milano. Was born in 1941 at Kanagawa in Japan. He obtained his diploma fro...
Ceramic
$1,578 / set
H 19.69 in Dm 8.67 in
Set/3 Vases, Ceramic Vases, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Nebula Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic vases, perfect to be displayed to...
Ceramic
$2,322 / set
H 32.29 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Set of Four Beech Jamaica Bar Stools by Pepe Cortés, 1990s
By Pepe Cortés
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare set of 4 "Jamaica" wooden bar stools designed by Pepe Cortés and made by BD Barcelona. The ergonomic seat in the shape of a saddle is made of solid lacquered beech and is swivel...
Chrome
$2,400
H 30 in W 33.5 in D 32.5 in
Harry Bertoia Early and Rare 'Pre-Production' Small Diamond Chair for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Early production small diamond chair with a very usual double wire seat configuration, the typical wire structure is in place but an additional larger space...
Wire
$13,265 / item
H 25.2 in W 96.07 in D 96.07 in
Saba Pixel Large Seating Pouf in Extra Kami A1 Upholstery by Sergio Bicego
By Sergio Bicego
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From the creativity of Sergio Bicego comes Pixel sofa, featuring a series of elements that can be freely combined, thanks to an exclusive connector created ...
Upholstery
Memphis Style Ceramic Vase, Italy
By Memphis Group
Located in Brussels, BE
Memphis style ceramic vase, Italy.
Ceramic
$5,834 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 36.23 in
Italian Mid-Century Modular Sofa or Seating Set in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and production, fully...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$28,000 / set
H 23.63 in W 43.31 in D 27.56 in
Seating as Minimalist Sculpture, 4 Elements by Uredat, 1969, Mohair Upholstery
By COR, Klaus Uredat
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing, museum quality, modular 'CORBI' seating set, composed of four elements, designed by Klaus Uredat for 'COR', Germany, 1969 complete with the original purchase invoice dated 1972. After receiving many requests to do so, we have carefully unpicked and removed the original custom order pop art upholstery and have now recovered the set in a more neutral, high quality mohair upholstery. A rare, beautiful and highly sculptural pure elemental design, the large dimensions of each .Corbi' seating element allow for them to be used equally as either individual lounge chairs or as a modular sofa. This particular set is a must for serious collectors, this set comes complete with the original German purchase invoice from 1972, which also confirms the additional expense of the custom order upholstery, we have carefully unpicked and kept the original upholstery fabric should the buyer wish to retain it for provenance (please see photos 14 and 15 which illustrate the set with it's original upholstery). The sculptural 'Corbi' modular lounge chair was designed in 1969 and only remained in limited scale production for a few years up to circa 1974. Today this super elegant design is both very popular and now extremely difficult to find due to the passage of time and the limited total production numbers so a large set of elements such as this, is really a rare opportunity. Each 'Corbi' element is composed of two independent Minimalist sculptural forms, one base element and one cylindrical seat back. With the base elements positioned end to end, day beds may...
Foam, Wood, Mohair
Pair of Chairs by the Campana Brothers for Edra, 'Jenette'
By Campana Brothers, Edra
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Chairs by the Campana Brothers for Edra, 'Jenette' Pair of Red Jenette chairs by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy, 21st century. ...
Metal
$320Sale Price|26% Off
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Pair of 'Benjamin' Stools by Lisa Norinder for IKEA, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of IKEA Benjamin plywood stools designed by Lisa Noringer, 1990's. Made of plywood. Stackable and can be used either as a stool or side table. Modern iconic designs from Ikea. ...
Plywood
Mogens Koch Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A cabinet and two bookcases in ash. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Ash
$320Sale Price|26% Off
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Pair of 'BENJAMIN' Stools by Lisa Norinder for IKEA, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of IKEA Benjamin plywood stools designed by Lisa Noringer, 1990's. Made of plywood. Stackable and can be used either as a stool or side table. Modern iconic designs from Ikea. ...
Plywood
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production)
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production) Designer: Dan Johnson Model: Cantilever Lounge Chair Production Date: 2002 (period-correct limited production) Origin: L...
Metal
Masanori Umeda for Edra Getsuen Lily Chair
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Astoria, NY
Masanori Umeda for Edra Getsuen Lily Chair, with red velvet upholstery, Edra label to reverse. 35" H x 39" W x 32.5" D; seat: 17.5" H. Provenance: From a ...
Upholstery, Velvet
Getsuen "Lily" Chair by EDRA in Red velvet by Masanori Umeda
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
Lily-shaped armchair, delicate in appearance, but concealing a solid hand-shaped steel structure. High technology combined with skilled craftsmanship. Getsuen “Lily” Chair...
Velvet
Getsuen, Lilly Chair, Designed by Masanori Umeda, Edra Italy
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A reupholstered iconic and whimsical sculptural lounge chair designed by Masanori Umeda for Edra, Italy, circa 1990. Aptly named Getsuen—which means “Moon Flower” in Japanese—this st...
Steel
Getsuen Chair by Masanori Umeda for Edra Italy 1990
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Outstanding example of Memphis design this rare easy chair model Getsuen, lily-shaped was designed by Masanori Umeda. Manufactured by Edra, Italy, circa 1990. Early edition. Solid s...
Steel
Vintage Rose Petal Chair by Masanori Umeda for Edra
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Featuring equal parts quirky Japanese design and elegant Italian craftsmanship, the Rose Chair, designed by Masanori Umeda for Edra is sure to make a lasting impression in any space....
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 35.44 in W 39.38 in D 35.44 in
Rare Masanori Umeda Getsuen Lily Red Easy Chair by Edra, circa 1990
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rare easy chair model Getsuen ‘Lily’ designed by Masanori Umeda. Manufactured by Edra, circa 1990. Original upholstery. In original condition with mi...
Upholstery
Sold
H 35.44 in W 38.59 in D 35.44 in
Original “Getsuen” Lounge Chair by Masanori Umeda Produced by Edra Italy C.1990
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Renens, CH
The Getsuen or Lily chaise longue was designed by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda in the 1990s. He worked in Italy in collaboration with the company Edra, which specialises in the...
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 38.59 in D 35.44 in
Original “Getsuen” Lounge Chair by Masanori Umeda Produced by Edra Italy C.1990
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Renens, CH
The Getsuen or Lily chaise longue was designed by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda in the 1990s. He worked in Italy in collaboration with the company Edra, which specialises in the...
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 38.59 in D 35.44 in
Original “Getsuen” Lounge Chair by Masanori Umeda Produced by Edra Italy C.1990
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Renens, CH
The Getsuen or Lily lounge chair was designed by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda during the 1990s. Masanori Umeda has worked together with Ettore Sottsass during the 1980s at Ol...
Metal
Sold
H 30.71 in W 29.53 in D 35.83 in
Blue Set of Two Lounge Flower Chairs Designed by Masonaria Umeda
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in Antwerp, BE
Getsuen Iconic armchair by Masonari Umeda, a Japanese designer who had worked in Italy in collaboration with the company Edra specializing in the design of new inventive fabrics and sculptural forms in chairs. The flower shape and the use of internal and external materials are stunning in a beautiful intense blue. Suitable for any type of office or living room. The Getsuen chairs...
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern “Getsuen” Lounge Chair by Masanori Umeda
By Masanori Umeda
Located in Renens, CH
The Getsuen or Lily lounge chair was designed by Masanori Umeda (Japan) during the 1990s. Masanori Umeda worked together with Ettore Sottsass during the 1980s at Olivetti in Milan...
Metal
Getsuen" Armchair by Masanori Umeda for Edra, 1990
By Edra, Masanori Umeda
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Getsuen" armchair by Masanori Umeda for Edra, 1990 Getsuen is the floral armchair designed in 1990 by Masanori Umeda for Edra. A floral and ve...
Textile