Butterfly Stool designed by Sori Yanagi, 1954, for Tendo Mokko, Japan.

This iconic stool, one of the most famous creations in Japanese design, was born from the intuition and ingenuity of Sori Yanagi. Made of two maple veneer molded plywood plates pressed and secured with bolts, it perfectly combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern industrial techniques.

During a research trip abroad funded by the Japanese government, Yanagi discovered the use of molded plywood, a technique pioneered by Charles and Ray Eames in the design of their leg splint. Upon returning to Japan, he proposed the idea for the Butterfly Stool to the Industrial Art Institute in Sendai, where engineer Saburo Inui assisted him in developing the prototype.

The Butterfly Stool consists of two molded plywood plates pressed together and fixed with bolts and a metal rod in brass. It stands out for its ergonomic and functional shape.

Manufacturer: Tendo Mokko, Japan circa 1980.

Bibliography: Japanese Design Since 1945, A Complete Sourcebook, Thames & Hudson Ltd, October 2020, p. 155.

• Height 38 cm / 15 "
• Width 43 cm / 17"
• Depth 33 cm / 13 "