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Sori Yanagi Stools

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 Stools

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 Stools

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 Stools

Materials

Brass

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 Stools

Materials

Plastic

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 Stools

Materials

Rosewood

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 Stools

Materials

Seagrass, Cherry

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 Stools

Materials

Wood

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 Stools

Materials

Brass

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 Stools

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 Stools

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 Stools

Materials

Steel

Rare Z-Stools by Gilbert Rohde with Leather Seats, 1933
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Gilbert Rohde, Mid-Century Modern design The iconic piano stool is designed by Gilbert Rohde and manufactured in the 1930s. The stool can be used traditionally or as a bedside tabl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Stools

Materials

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 Stools

Materials

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
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 Stools

Materials

Fiberglass

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 Stools

Materials

Beech

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 Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

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 Stools

Materials

Cedar

Wicker Peanut stool Ikea 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this Wicker Peanut stool . Made for Ikea in the 1980s Very rare bench . Metal u shaped folding legs . Comes with a organic Wicker top . With the shape of a Peanut . Great l...
Category

1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Stools

Materials

Wicker

Wicker Peanut stool Ikea 1980s
Wicker Peanut stool Ikea 1980s
H 15.75 in W 43.71 in D 14.97 in
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 Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair Vintage BKF Hardoy for Knoll Cream Leather Butterfly Stool
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
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 Stools

Materials

Iron

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 Stools

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Wooden Stools, Wabi-Sabi
H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
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 Stools

Materials

Fiberglass

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 Stools

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 Stools

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, "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 Stools

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 Stools

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 Stools

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 Stools

Materials

Fiberglass

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 Stools

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 Stools

Materials

Walnut

Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo, Japan, 1970
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A beautiful “Butterfly” stool designed by Sori Yanagi and manufactured by Tendo in Japan around 1970. A design classic that exudes a sense of elegance and understated beauty. Craf...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Sori Yanagi Stools

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi Elephant stool by FRP
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Stacking stools also called elephant leg stools. It won the gold medal at the 12th Milan Triennale of 1960, and it is stored as MoMA and the museum of the Amsterdam as a permanent co...
Category

1990s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Stools

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi Elephant stool by FRP
Sori Yanagi Elephant stool by FRP
H 13.98 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Puig, 1960s Set of 2
By Sori Yanagi
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of red fibreglass stools, designer Sori Yanagi. Stamped on the leg. Wear due to time and age of the stools.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Stools

Materials

Fiberglass

Sori Yanagi stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Sori Yanagi stools 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 stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original stools 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 stools by Isamu Kenmochi, and Pierre Jeanneret. Prices for Sori Yanagi stools 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 $5,000.

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