Sori Yanagi facts for kids

In this Japanese name, the family name is Yanagi.

Sori Yanagi (柳宗理, 1915–2011) was a very famous product designer from Japan. He helped shape modern Japanese design after World War II during a time when Japan's economy grew very fast. Sori Yanagi was a true modern designer. He combined simple, practical ideas with beautiful traditional Japanese crafts.

Early Life and Inspiration

Sori Yanagi was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1915. His father, Soetsu Yanagi, started something called the "mingei" movement. This movement celebrated Japanese folk crafts and found beauty in everyday items. Soetsu also helped create the Nihon Mingeikon, which is the Folk Crafts Museum of Japan.

In 1934, Sori Yanagi went to Tokyo Art School. There, he studied both art and how to design buildings. He was inspired by famous designers like Le Corbusier. He also learned from Charlotte Perriand when she worked in Japan in the early 1940s. Because of these influences, Sori's interests changed. He moved from painting to designing buildings, and then to creating useful objects.

Designing for the Modern World

After World War II, Sori Yanagi designed many different products. These included furniture, special three-wheeled vehicles, and even the cauldrons for the Olympic Games. He also designed pedestrian overpasses, which are bridges for people to walk over roads.

One of his most famous furniture pieces is the Butterfly Stool. He introduced it in 1956. This stool has two parts that look like a butterfly's open wings. Some people also think its shape looks like the gate of a Shinto shrine. Others see it as an old samurai helmet.

The Butterfly Stool is both modern and timeless. It has won many awards and is shown in major art collections. You can find it in places like the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Yanagi's Design Ideas

Most of Sori Yanagi's designs are very simple and beautiful. His products show his belief that true beauty is not made. Instead, he thought it was born naturally. When he created something new, he would make many versions by hand. He kept working until he found new shapes that blended old and new ideas.

Sori Yanagi passed away in 2011. He was 96 years old.

Honours

• Honorary Royal Designer for Industry (UK), 2008

Images for kids

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  Butterfly Stool (1954)