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.
(Biography provided by DADA)
14
1
to
2
8
5
12
2
14
1
12
2
1
8
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
14
3
1
1
9
6
6
4
3
15
15
15
15
15
15
11
1,031
787
760
711
Creator: Sori Yanagi
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Diego, CA
Orange fibreglass elephant stool by Sori Yanagi, which was designed in 1954. Sori was the son of the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum founder, Soetsu Yanagi. Having studied both art and a...
Category
1950s Japanese Organic Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Sori Yanagi butterfly stool for Tendo in bent rosewood and brass.
Literature: Design since 1945, Hiesinger, pg. 137.
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Rosewood
Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Mid-Century Stool in Plywood Produced by Tendo ca 1980s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and great example of Sori Yanagi iconic "Butterfly" stool in bent plywood produced by Tendo Mokko, Japan ca 1980s. This example was purchased by the previous owner in Tokyo in t...
Category
1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Plywood
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
By Tendo Mokko, Sori Yanagi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sori Yanagi was born in Tokyo, Japan. He was very influenced by Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, whom he translated for when she visited Japan. Yanagi's designs are known for the...
Category
1980s Japanese Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Sammushi, JP
Rare butterfly stool designed by Sori Yanagi, manufactured by Tendo in Japan.
It has an oval seal. It is a proof that it is a valuable early work. Comes with a red cushion. It's the...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Teak
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Paris, FR
A butterfly stool, model "S-0521/M", by Sori Yanagi, in wood and patinated brass, manufactured by Tendo Mokko, Japan, with the old editor’s label, model designed in 1954.
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Japanese Designer 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
Sori Yanagi Rare Early Red Elephant Stool for Kotobuki, Japan
By Kotobuki, Sori Yanagi
Located in Maastricht, NL
A rare and early red version fiberglass elephant stool, designed by Sori Yanagi for Kotobuki.
It bears its name 'elephant stool' because of the shape resemblances a baby elephant....
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Elephant stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Paris, FR
An Elephant stool by Sori Yanagi in blue fiberglass, manufactured by Kotobuki Seating Company, Tokyo, Japan, engraved with the editor’s mark and designer’s one under the seat, model ...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Pair of Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stools
By Tendo Mokko, Sori Yanagi
Located in Riverdale, NY
Pair of period Sori Yanagi butterfly stools sold in original condition. Molded plywood with veener.
Structurally sound, with some discoloration and later varnishing,
1950s, Japan.
Category
1950s Japanese Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Wood
Sori Yanagi, Early Production "Butterfly" Stools Walnut, Brass, Tendo Mokko 1954
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of rare and early organic "Butterfly" stools, designed in 1954 by Sori Yanagi. Produced by Tendo Mokko, Japan. Priced and sold individually.
Other designers of the period incl...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Rare Japanese Stool by Soetsu Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Brussels, BE
This stool was made for the In 1936, the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum. Made of Japanese cherry wood and seagrass. Today, you can still see the original benches made for this museum.
...
Category
1930s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Seagrass, Cherry
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Paris, FR
An Elephant stool by Sori Yanagi, in black fiberglass, manufactured by Kotobuki Seating Company, Tokyo, Japan, engraved with the editor’s mark and designer’s one under the seat, mode...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Sori Yanagi White Elephant Stool for Kotobuki, 1960s
By Sori Yanagi, Kotobuki
Located in Kawaguchi city, Saitama
Sori Yanagi (1915–2011) Japanese product designer. The Butterfly stool has become one of the most iconic design in his career. He also known as Charlotte Perriand ’s assistant betwe...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi, Habitat Limited Edition, 2001
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Athens, GR
Elephant fiberglass stool by Sori Yanagi, limited edition for Habitat, 2001.No longer in production. The stool has since been reissued by vitra in polypropylene.
Originally designed...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Related Items
Modernist Japanese Sculpture by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Diego, CA
Wood puzzle sculpture by Sori Yanagi for Kumiki. Yanagi designed just a few puzzles for the company. Japan, 1960s
Sori was the son of the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum founder, Soetsu...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Wood
Sori Yanagi Porcelain Tea Pot
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Diego, CA
Sori Yanagi porcelain and bamboo teapot. Designed in 1956. This version was produced later but doesn't seem to be in production. Signed with the Yanagi logo.
Sori Yanagi was a Ja...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Porcelain, Bamboo
Set of Three Bamboo & Leather Bar Stools by McGuire Furniture Co.
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three bamboo and leather bar stools by McGuire Furniture Co. of San Francisco, circa 1990s. These stools are difficult to find and are in good vintage condition. Each one meas...
Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Leather, Bamboo
Checkerboard Stool by Maxwell Yellen, 1953
By Maxwell Yellen
Located in San Diego, CA
Checkerboard Collection stool designed in 1953 by New York-based designer Maxwell Yellen. Newspapers of the time described the walnut block and cotton strap construction “novel woode...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Iron
Counter Stools in Tan Leather by A. Rudin
By A. Rudin
Located in San Diego, CA
Up to five counter stools in tan leather by A. Rudin. The stools are in like new condition and were never used.
Category
2010s American Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Postmodern Waterfall Lucite Vanity Stool or Bench by Akko
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern waterfall Lucite vanity stool or bench by Akko, circa 1970s. The bench has a cream colored Naugahyde seat and is in good vintage condition; very solid and stabile. There s...
Category
20th Century American Post-Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Naugahyde, Lucite
Scandinavian Modern Stool / Ottoman / Bench
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile Scandinavian modern stool / ottoman / bench with floating butterscotch colored naugahyde cushion, circa 1950s. The piece has a solid teak frame with brass capped legs and i...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Naugahyde, Teak
Postmodern Waterfall Lucite Vanity Stool or Bench with White Seat by Akko
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern waterfall Lucite vanity stool or bench by Akko, circa 1970s. The bench has a white colored Naugahyde seat and is in good vintage condition; very solid and stabile. There s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Naugahyde, Lucite
H 19 in. W 14.5 in. D 13 in.
Pair of Vintage Fan Leg Side Tables / Stools by Alvar Aalto Designs for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of vintage fan leg side tables / stools by Alvar Aalto Designs for Artek, circa 1950s. The tables are made of birch bentwood with Aalto’s signature feathered bentwood leg design...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Birch
H 17.5 in. W 17.75 in. D 17.75 in.
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Linoleum Top Stools
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of vintage Alvar Aalto model 60 linoleum top stools. Nicely warn yellow and blue top stools. Birch bentwood legs with Aalto’s signature feathered bentwood leg design. Great pa...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Birch
Danish Modern Teak & Paper Cord Stool / Bench
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile Danish modern stool / bench with hand woven paper cord seat, circa 1970s. The piece has a solid teak frame with stretchers and is quite solid and sturdy. The bases measures...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Teak, Papercord
Pair of Postmodern Memphis Era Italian Bar Stools
By Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of Italian bar stools, Made in Italy circa 1980s, black tubular pipping with black rubber backrest, original fabric in Naugahyde , its really nice material has a small 1/2"...
Category
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Metal
Previously Available Items
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi, Habitat Limited Edition, 2001
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Athens, GR
Elephant fiberglass stool by Sori Yanagi, limited edition for Habitat, 2001.No longer in production. The stool has since been reissued by vitra in polypropylene.
Originally designed...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Phoenix, AZ
A Sori Yanagi butterfly stool for Tendo in bent rosewood and brass. Marked with label.
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Japanese Designer 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 for Vitra
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Diego, CA
Red molded Plastic elephant stool by Sori Yanagi, for Vitra.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Organic Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Plastic
Sori Yanagi for Vitra Maple Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Sori Yanagi in 1954, the Butterfly Stool has since become a design icon.
Rooted in the designer’s Japanese aesthetic, the stool was created using the moulde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool Japanese Midcentury Architect Design
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well used 1950s butterfly stool. This stool can still be used, tested by 165 pound person, no yawning, no cracks that go all the way through the plywood anywhere, just veneer losses ...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Walnut and Plywood
By Sori Yanagi
Located in London, GB
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 Wester...
Category
1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
H 15.16 in. W 16.82 in. D 11.89 in.
Pair of Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stools
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pair of butterfly stools designed by Sori Yanagi.
Manufactured by Tendo Mokko (Japan) in 1954.
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving ...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Wood
Sori Yanagi, Early Production "Butterfly" Stool, Walnut, Brass, Tendo Mokko 1954
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare and early organic "Butterfly" stool, designed in 1954 by Sori Yanagi. Produced by Tendo Mokko, Japan, with original label.
Other designers of the period include Isamu Noguc...
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
H 6.5 in. W 6.11 in. L 6.5 in.
Rosewood Butterfly Stool by Japanese Designer 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
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool by Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Denton, TX
Molded plywood butterfly stool designed by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko.
Category
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Vitra Signed Butterfly Stool in Maple Plywood and Brass by Sori Yanagi
By Vitra, Sori Yanagi
Located in West Hartford, CT
This Vitra butterfly stool combines Eastern forms with the plywood molding technique developed by Charles and Ray Eames. The gently curving silhouette is reminiscent of a butterfly‘s...
Category
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sori Yanagi Seating
Materials
Brass
Sori Yanagi seating for sale on 1stDibs
Seats of Sori Yanagi are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. There are many options in our Sori Yanagi seating collection, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We stock 14 vintage versions of these items, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many original seating by Sori Yanagi were created in Japan during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Junzo Sakakura, Tendo Mokko and Isamu Kenmochi. Prices for Sori Yanagi seating can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at $378 and tops out at $7,500, while pieces like these can sell for $2,940 on average.