The Arts of Japan

Butterfly Stool

Yanagi, Sōri1954 · Tendō Mokkō

Details

Title

Butterfly Stool

Date of Design
1954
First Produced
1956
Medium
Plywood,
Rosewood,
Brass
Width
425 mm
Depth
310 mm
Height
387 mm
Seat Height
340 mm
Weight
2200 g
Designer
Yanagi, Sōri
Manufacturers
Tendō Mokkō from 1956
Vitra from 2001

Timeline

1954

Yanagi approached the Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) in Sendai, which was conducting technical research on molded plywood and asked for help in producing his design. Thanks to a determined engineer, Saburō Inui, they developed a prototype. Inui introduced Yanagi to the furniture manufacturer Tendō Mokkō.

1956

The Butterfly Stool is introduced to the public at Yanagi's first solo exhibition at the Matsuya Department Store in Tokyo.

Tendō Mokkō begins production of the Butterfly Stool.

1957

The Butterfly Stool makes its international debut at the Triennale in Milan.

1958

The design is modified. The most significant change was the shape of the stool when viewed from the front. The legs of the first model, introduced in 1956, were straight, whereas the legs of the new design are gently curved inwards.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York adds the Butterfly Stool to its permanent collection.

1965

Tendō introduces a larger model for overseas markets.

1970

Tendō celebrates its 30th anniversary. On this occasion, they released an acrylic version of the Butterfly Stool. They came in transparent, red, blue, and gray editions and were produced until 1971.

1992

The design of the larger model is revised. Tendo decided to switch to the larger model in Japan as well. They continued to sell it until 1998, when the Butterfly Stool returned to its original size.

2001

Vitra begins production of the Butterfly Stool.

Awards

1966Good Design Award
2016Good Design Long Life Design Award