In its distinctive embodiment of the East-meets-West dialogue represented in mid-century modern art and design, the Japan chair draws on the simple silhouette of the famed Itsukushima Shrine near Hiroshima, Japan. Designed by legendary Danish architect, interior designer and furniture maker Finn Juhl (1912–89) and produced by furniture manufacturer France & Søn, the chair belongs to a series that includes a two-seater sofa, a three-seater sofa and a footstool.
Although he originally wanted to study art history, Juhl’s father urged him to enroll in the architecture school at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. He spent a decade thereafter working for Vilhelm Lauritzen’s architecture firm, where Juhl specialized in interior design. He went on to open his own firm in 1945, establishing himself among a group of young Danish designers who sought to reinvent the national design zeitgeist. The result was the Scandinavian modernism movement beloved by many today.
For his 1957 Japan chair, Juhl adopted the elegant form of a Japanese Torii, integrating its shape into the piece’s exposed low-slung wood frame and tapered legs, which support a minimalist upholstered backrest and seat. While many mid-century designers had the future in mind, Juhl looked to the past. Today the Japan chair, along with Juhl’s entire body of work, is produced exclusively by the House of Finn Juhl, an offshoot of Danish furniture company One Collection. His designs are particularly popular in Japan; there is a replica of his home in the city of Gifu and a House of Finn Juhl hotel in the village of Hakuba, near Nagano.
A pair of Japan Chairs designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Seattle, WA
A pair of Japan chairs, designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son, 1960 production. recently reupholstered in aniline olive leather, with several natural marking and patterns. Natur...
Leather, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by Finn Juhl, Teak, Denmark, Circa 1950
By Finn Juhl
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of armchairs designed by Finn Juhl, made of solid teak and both are in their original upholstery. Finn Juhl's association with the furniture manufacturer France & Son resulted i...
Teak
$2,037Sale Price|30% Off
H 30 in W 27 in D 23 in
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark
By Cado, Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark. Arms are removable. You can use as armless lounge as well. (See final pho...
Textile, Rosewood
Finn Juhl Delegate's Chair
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Highland, IN
We feel that Finn Juhl's delegate's chair (or FJ51) is one of his most under appreciated designs. Perhaps overshadowed by the sexy #45 chair, with which it shares many qualities, it ...
Teak, Upholstery
Original Finn Juhl NV45 Chair by Niels Vodder Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic original Finn Juhl NV45 chair in teak by Niels Vodder, Denmark, circa 1950s. This fine example retaining its original two tone wool upholstery. O...
Teak
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Solid Teak Armchair, 1950s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This exquisite vintage design armchair, crafted during the Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern era, showcases a blend of elegance and structural innovation. The chairs armrest and legs i...
Fabric, Teak
$713
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in taranto, IT
Danish collectible chair, model "197", France & Søn production based on a design by Finn Juhl, mid-1960s made on a teak structure, it measures 76 cm in height, 50 cm in width, 45 ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl Spade Chair Model 133 for France & Daverkosen
By Finn Juhl
Located in San Francisco, CA
Finn Juhl design spade chair model 133 for France & Daverkosen, Denmark. Newly refinished teak frame with new cushions upholstered in Danish wool.
Teak
$6,389Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 28.75 in
Finn Juhl Japan Sofa Model 137 in Teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Hellouw, NL
Amazing Finn Juhl sofa Model 137 in teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950s. This three-seater 'Japan' sofa has the elegance and round shapes that are so recognizable for Finn Juhl and ...
Fabric, Teak
Finn Juhl Japan Series Chair, Wood and Raf Simons Kvadrat
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1957, relaunched in 2007. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. Finn Juhl’s partnership with the furniture manufacturer France & Son...
Fabric, Wood
$11,644 / set
H 35.83 in W 33.86 in D 33.86 in
Bwana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Finn Juhl, Black Leather, 1962
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Ranst, VAN
This stunning 'Bwana' lounge chair and ottoman is designed by Finn Juhl in 1962 for France & Son. Known for its sleek lines and elegant design, this chair is a perfect example of...
Leather, Teak
$7,957
H 29.53 in W 24.02 in D 25.2 in
Danish Modern Teak and Brown Leather Loungechair by Finn Juhl for France and Son
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Vienna, AT
This excellent and comfortable Scandinavian Modern lounge chair model number FD 136 was designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son, Denmark 1960s. It features a curved backrest and and s...
Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl, Lounge Chair, Teak, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in High Point, NC
A teak, green and off-white fabric lounge chair, model NV-45, designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Niels Vodder, Denmark, c. 1950s. With makers branded stamp to frame. One of two a...
Fabric, Wood
Finn Juhl for France & Son 'Diplomat' Chair
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Denmark, Finn Juhl for France & Son 'Diplomat' chair in rosewood.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 27.56 in D 24.02 in
Pair of Model FD 137/1 ‘Japan’ Lounge Chairs by Finn Juhl, 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
An exceptional pair of Model FD 137/1 ‘Japan’ lounge chairs by Finn Juhl, produced by France & Søn. A refined embodiment of Danish modernism, where craftsmanship, comfort, and cu...
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Teak
'Japan Chair' by Finn Juhl
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
The Japan chair by Finn Juhl, made by France & Dvorkesen. Upholstered in a soft black Tonus wool by Kvadrat. Old growth teak finished in oil, exposed brass hardware detailing. P...
Brass
A pair of FD137 Japan lounge chairs designed by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
A Post of Japan Lounge Chairs designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son. Manufactured by France & Søn, the model FD137, become popular as the “Japan” chair. Inspired by Finn Juhl’s 1s...
Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 29.53 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Iconic Danish Design Japan Chairs by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen
By Finn Juhl
Located in Portlaoise, IE
A rare opportunity to purchase a pair of original early edition Japan chairs by legendary Danish designer Finn Juhl. Sourced from a private collection in Paris we have had this beaut...
Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 27.56 in
Midentury "Japan" Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, Finn Juhl, Denmark, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant “Japan” lounge chairs, made from teak with clean lines. White wool upholstery. Shared ottoman with cognac colored leather.
Leather, Teak
Rare Finn Juhl Sofa from the Japan Series
By Finn Juhl
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful Finn Juhl japan sofa. has a small repair in the seating area. can be used as is or be re-upholstered.
Faux Leather, Teak
Vintage Finn Juhl Japan Chair in teak by France & Son
By Finn Juhl
Located in San Diego, CA
The iconic "Japan" lounge chair by Finn Juhl in solid teak and brass by France and Son. Finn Juhl’s partnership with the furniture manufacturer France & Son gave birth to a series ...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 26.5 in D 29 in
Pair of Early Production Finn Juhl Japan Chairs for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japan series chairs in teak with brass accents designed by Finn Juhl in 1957 and produced at that point by France & Daverkosen in Denmark. With the branded "FD" marks as well...
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.58 in D 29.53 in
Exclusive Danish Vintage Finn Juhl Lounge Set, Japan Series, 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Renens, CH
Finn Juhl’s Japan series is one of his most sought after furniture, its design (1953) was based on the Miamjima water gate nearby Hiroshima. Finn Juhl, a Danish architect born in 19...
Brass
Vintage Teak Finn Juhl Japan Chair by France & Son, New Upholstery
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
Teak "Japan" series armchair by Danish designer Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made under license from France & Son by John Stuart for the US market. The sublime simplicity of the "Jap...
Fabric, Teak
Finn Juhl “Japan Chairs”, Teak and Shearling
By Finn Juhl
Located in Chicago, IL
Japan chairs by Finn Juhl. Fully restored. Teak frames with oil rubbed finish. New shearling upholstery.
Wool, Teak
Finn Juhl Japan Series Chair Walnut, Kvadrat Foss, 1953
By Finn Juhl, Kvadrat
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Japan chair designed by Finn Jhul Manufactured by One collection Finn Juhl (Denmark) The Japan Series is produced in oak or walnut with handsew...
Fabric, Walnut
