Sori Yanagi Seating

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.

Creator: Sori Yanagi

Sori Yanagi Rosewood Butterfly Stool

$4,800

Sori Yanagi Rosewood Butterfly Stool

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Turners Falls, MA

Sori Yanagi rosewood butterfly stool. Early and excellent example of this mid century classic. Beautiful book matched Brazilian rosewood seating sections. Brass screws and support s...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko, 1960s

$3,500 / item

Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko, 1960s

By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko

Located in Coronado, CA

Palisander rosewood "Butterfly" stool designed by Sori Yanagi and produced by Tendo Mokko in the 1960s. This lovely vintage example features book matched rosewood, solid brass suppor...

Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Brass

Wooden Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Stool in Molded Plywood by Tendo Japan, 1980s

$2,291

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 Seating

Materials

Plywood

Rare Japanese Stool by Soetsu Yanagi

$7,756

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 Seating

Materials

Seagrass, Cherry

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Vitra, Mid-Century Modern, 1990

$480Sale Price / item|31% Off

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Vitra, Mid-Century Modern, 1990

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 Seating

Materials

Plastic

Sori Yanagi White Elephant Stool for Kotobuki, 1960s

$5,500

Sori Yanagi White Elephant Stool for Kotobuki, 1960s

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

An iconic mid-century design by Japanese master Sori Yanagi. The Elephant Stool embodies simplicity, functionality, and sculptural beauty. Featuring a distinctive arching silhouette ...

Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, Japan, 1980s, simple, wabi-sabi.

$7,000

Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, Japan, 1980s, simple, wabi-sabi.

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

An iconic “Butterfly” stool by Sori Yanagi, combining Japanese craftsmanship with modernist elegance in a fluid sculptural form.

Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi Side Chairs for Kotobuki, Pair, Designed in 1969

$2,180 / set

Sori Yanagi Side Chairs for Kotobuki, Pair, Designed in 1969

By Sori Yanagi, Kotobuki

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

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 Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 White EMSA Stool, Germany, 1960s

$293 / set

H 17.72 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in

Set of 2 White EMSA Stool, Germany, 1960s

By Emsa Germany

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Space Age style plastic stool was made in Germany by EMSA around the 1960s-1970s. The futuristic shape is tapered and aerodynamic, with a tulip foot and an off-white color. This orig...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Stool by Franca Helg for Bonaccina

$1,057

H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in

Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Stool by Franca Helg for Bonaccina

By Franca Helg

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Mid-Century Modern bamboo stool by Franca Helg for Bonaccina, in excellent condition Measures cm: H 75, W 45, D 45. About Franca Helg Franca Helg was born in Milan in 1920 and was a...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Mid Century Danish Modern Donut Stool by Thygesen for Magnus Olesen c 1970's

$499

H 14 in Dm 14 in

Mid Century Danish Modern Donut Stool by Thygesen for Magnus Olesen c 1970's

By Magnus Olesen, Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen

Located in New York, NY

Iconic Danish Modern design stool by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen for Magnus Olsen circa 1970's. The stool features three bent laminate wood legs, attached to an ebonized donut f...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Wood

Rocking Chair by Tendo Mokko Japan

$3,950

H 35 in W 22 in D 34 in

Rocking Chair by Tendo Mokko Japan

By Tendo Mokko

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Heron rocking chair and matching footrest / ottoman designed by Mitsuwasa Sugasawa made of bent laminated oak and manufactured by Tendo Mokko Japan. Great example of Japanese mid century design...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Oak

Mini Butterfly Stool, Pink Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe 1960s

$176 / item

H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in

Mini Butterfly Stool, Pink Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Small stool called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat in beautiful jacquard italian fabric. This stool can be customized to your specif...

Category

2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Jacquard

Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s

$293 / item

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Industrial Workshop Stool, 1960s

$210

H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 14.18 in

Industrial Workshop Stool, 1960s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

Vintage Industrial factory stool made in former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s It features a plywood seat and a brown rusty iron frame. The weight of the stool is 7,2 kg. The diamet...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Iron

Japanese "Heron" Chair and Ottoman by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko, c1970s

$2,800

H 35 in W 22 in D 34 in

Japanese "Heron" Chair and Ottoman by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko, c1970s

By Tendo Mokko, Mitsumasa Sugasawa

Located in Chino Hills, CA

Now available is an amazing "Heron" chair designed by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko. Truly a classic design that any collector would be happy to have. The chair measures approxi...

Category

1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s

$293 / item

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Velvet

Burgundy Vintage Stool, 1960s

$293 / item

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Burgundy Vintage Stool, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet burgundy upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characte...

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Vintage Italian Children's Efebino Stools by Stacy Dukes for Artemide, 1960s

$1,527 / set

H 13 in W 13.39 in D 16.54 in

Vintage Italian Children's Efebino Stools by Stacy Dukes for Artemide, 1960s

By Artemide, Stacy Dukes

Located in Renens, CH

These children’s stools were designed by Stacy Dukes for use in the Los Angeles public library: Since no producer was found in the United St...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Plastic

Antique Japanese Modernist Shopkeepers Stool 1900's

$800

H 13.5 in W 16.25 in D 10 in

Antique Japanese Modernist Shopkeepers Stool 1900's

Located in Oakland, CA

Beautiful antique Japanese shopkeepers stool with wonderful modern look, Meiji period. Great as an accent piece, can be used for storage of small objects. Has a wonderful old patina.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Modern Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items

Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Stools . Earliest examples.

Sold

H 17 in W 17 in D 12 in

Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Stools . Earliest examples.

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Toronto, Ontario

An incredible example of an iconic Mid 20th Century masterpiece. Designed by Sori Yanagi in the late 1950.s These examples are the earliest examples of this form. As evidenced by ...

Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi

Sold

H 15.75 in W 16.54 in D 11.82 in

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 Seating

Materials

Brass

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi – Kotobuki - Japon - 1950s

Sold

H 12.8 in Dm 17.33 in

Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi – Kotobuki - Japon - 1950s

By Kotobuki, Sori Yanagi

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 Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko

Sold

H 13 in W 17 in D 12 in

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 Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko

Sold

H 13 in W 17 in D 12 in

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 Seating

Materials

Rosewood

BUTTERFLY Stool Stool Chair Design Sori Yanagi Stool

Sold

H 15.16 in W 18.31 in D 12.21 in

BUTTERFLY Stool Stool Chair Design Sori Yanagi Stool

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Bingen am Rhein, 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 Seating

Materials

Metal

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Palisander Tendo Mokko

Sold

H 15.5 in W 16.75 in D 12.25 in

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 Seating

Materials

Plywood

Butterfly stool by Sori Yanagi

Sold

H 15.25 in W 16.5 in D 12.25 in

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 Seating

Materials

Maple

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool Rosewood Brass

Sold

H 15.25 in W 16.75 in D 12 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 Seating

Materials

Rosewood

SORI YANAGI , Mageki Stacking Chairs for Akita Mokkou , 1960s , Japanese modern

Sold

H 28.75 in W 21.26 in D 23.23 in

SORI YANAGI , Mageki Stacking Chairs for Akita Mokkou , 1960s , Japanese modern

By Sori Yanagi

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

SORI YANAGI , Mageki Stacking Chairs for Akita Mokkou , 1960s , Japanese modern each price

Category

1960s Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi, "Butterfly" Stools, Walnut, Brass, Japan, 1954

Sold

H 15.75 in W 16.25 in D 12 in

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 Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair Black Sori Yanagi Elephant Stools by Kotobuki Japan c. 1950s

Sold

H 13 in Dm 18.5 in

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 Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Sori Yanagi seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Junzo Sakakura, Isamu Kenmochi, and Akita Mokko. Prices for Sori Yanagi seating 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.