Sori Yanagi – Japanese Industrial Designer

Sori Yanagi (1915-2011) was an industrial designer from Japan. Although previously trained as a fine artist and worked in an architectural studio, Yanagi went on to study industrial design in 1947.

Biography

1952 he opened his design studio in Tokyo, the Yanagi Design Institute. He attracted attention with his award-winning Nippon Columbia record player. He also won the first prize at the Mainichi Industrial Design Competition in 1952.

As one of the first generation of Japanese industrial designers, he continued to attract attention to design in a wide range of media, from furniture to domestic products.

In his elegant plywood and metal butterfly stool (1956), he explored the combination of Japanese and Western tradition and the possibilities of modern materials blended with elegant shapes such as stainless steel and * Bakelite water jug for the Uehan Shoji Company (1958).

The fundamental problem is that many products are created to be sold, not used.

Sori Yanagi

Recognition of Sori Yanagi

The Gold Medal award at the 1957 Milan Triennale and the prestigious G Mark Prize in 1958 for his Aluminum Speed Kettle further enhanced his reputation.

Works of Sori Yanagi

The Gold Medal award at the 1957 Milan Triennale and the prestigious G Mark Prize in 1958 for his Aluminum Speed Kettle further enhanced his reputation.

As a founding member of the Japan Industrial Designers Association in 1952, he played an essential role in consolidating the emerging design profession. He also wrote extensively on design, including his book Sori Yanagi’s Works and Philosophy (1983).

He also contributed to Japanese design education, teaching at Women’s Art College Tokyo (1953-54) and the Kanazawa University of Arts and Crafts. In 1977, he became director of the Japan Folks Crafts Museum in Tokyo.

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

Oxford University Press. (2004). A Dictionary of Modern Design (1st ed.).

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