“Machine manufacturing must switch from quantity to quality. Design must also switch from cheap flashy coquetry to quality design with an honest purpose to truly serve mankind.”

Sori Yanagi, 1983

These words feel increasingly prescient and the ideas inform much of what we do at tokyobike. Yet the life and work of Sori Yanagi hasn’t had the same recognition as some of his contemporaries. This was reflected in a tribute by Jasper Morrison describing him as "the best designer you’ve never heard of".

The Sori Yanagi Appreciation Society hopes to change that. It is an initiative, set up by designer Michael Marriott and writer Duncan Riches, as a platform for anyone who wishes to express their appreciation for the life and work of Japanese industrial designer Sori Yanagi (1915-2011).

As part of the Shoreditch Design Triangle, which took place during the 2024 London Design Festival in September, toykobike hosted the Society's inaugural event - an exhibition and book preview.

A big thank you to everyone who supported and attended the event, it was a pleasure to share our space with so many Sori Yanagi fans and we look forward to the final book launch next month - follow us for details.

Quotes on the Society:

“Anyone can start an appreciation society, and a cursory search will inform you that there are many, appreciating a great variety of things, from objects, places and people, to specific foods, obscure music and ancient methodologies. Our intention in creating one for Sori Yanagi, is both with the aim of increasing awareness and discussion of his life and work, but also to advocate for the notion of appreciation itself.” Duncan Riches

“Sori Yanagi didn't design for show, he designed for use.” Michael Marriott

Nambu Tekki Series
Year of Production: 2002
Material: Cast iron

“My affinity with Yanagi’s Nambu Tekki iron cookware is not simply based on its aesthetics and considered functionality, but with its synergy of cultural influences, which for me, as a black British designer, I find extremely interesting.”

Wayne Pottinger, Designer, UK

His objects make us slow down and reflect, these rituals are the centre of our daily life: drinking a cup of tea or coffee, preparing food, sharing a meal, serving food. 

Martino Gamper, Designer, UK

Stainless Cutlery
Year of Production: 1974
Material: 18-8 Stainless Steel

“I love eating ice cream with this spoon. The shape makes me think of a little spade and I find the idea of shovelling frozen custard a delight.”

Emily King, Writer & Curator, UK

The form of the delicately tapered neck with its eyelet at one end and bowl flowing out of the other, suggests a shaping process that took time.” In portraits, Sori Yanagi has a gentle face and always at least a wry smile. He clearly knows many things.

David Kohn, Architect, UK

Yanagi’s pieces never shout out but just quietly accompany us in every moment of our daily life. Great examples of good designs. 

Momoko Mizutani , Curator, Japan

Stainless Steel Bowls & Strainers
Year of Production: 1960
Material: 18-8 Stainless Steel

“I love my Sori Yanagi mixing bowl. It reminds me of happy times in Tokyo every time I use it.

I bought it with some glasses from the shop at his studio in the late 1990s. This was a salad I made for lunch with Michael. The 190 mm is the best shape with a slightly unstable nature, which I think makes it even more seductive than the others.
Arigatōgozaimashita.”

Stafford Schmool, Designer, UK

“But would these strainers fit into the Blunk House - I decided a little contrast wouldn’t hurt. Yanagi designed them in 1960 and he approached product design the way my father approached making art. Both believed true beauty is something to be revealed, not made. So here we are, living contentedly in the Blunk House, enjoying our Yanagi strainers on a daily basis. These beautiful, functional design products are right at home in this sculptural environment.”

Mariah Nielson, Curator & Director, USA