Japan Chair | House of Finn Juhl

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The Japan Chair | Finn Juhl | 1957

Even with its simple construction, Finn Juhl remained true to his idea of emphasizing the distinction between the carried and carrying elements by separating the backrest from the supporting frame using brass brackets. The Japan Chair is available in oak or walnut with upholstery options in textile or leather.

Wood Type
Upholstery
Hallingdal
Hallingdal beskrivelse
Vidar
Leather
Remix
321
Watercolour

Please note that the actual colours and materials may vary due to image editing and differences in screen balances and settings. The versions shown are intended to serve only as examples. We kindly encourage you to view the physical material samples at our official retailers. Learn more about our materials here: material page.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1957, relaunched in 2019

Materials:

Frame: Oak or walnut

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 5301
W: 61 cm | D: 70 cm | H: 78 cm
Seat height: 35 cm

Even with its simple construction, Finn Juhl remained true to his idea of emphasizing the distinction between the carried and carrying elements by separating the backrest from the supporting frame using brass brackets. The Japan Chair is available in oak or walnut with upholstery options in textile or leather.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1957, relaunched in 2019

Materials:

Frame: Oak or walnut

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 5301
W: 61 cm | D: 70 cm | H: 78 cm
Seat height: 35 cm

The story behind the chair

Serene Simplicity in its Finest Form

The Japan Chair is defined by its elegant frame which is visible from every angle. The curvy shape radiates serene simplicity and is a reference to a traditional Japanese temple door. 

Finn Juhl’s partnership with the furniture manufacturer France & Son gave birth to a series of furniture well-suited for industrial production, while staying true to the ideals of organic shapes within simple designs that reigned in the 1950s. The most famous example of this cooperation is probably the Japan Series from 1957, which consists of a lounge chair, a footstool, a two seater sofa and a three seater sofa.

The Japan Chair in walnut with 'Rami' upholstery in the colour '6810'.
Finn Juhl's Inspiration

The Japanese Connection

The sublime simplicity of the chair is a far cry from his earlier furniture designs and is inspired by traditional Japanese building techniques. The solid horizontal backrest, resting on the slightly tapered legs, is a reference to a Japanese temple door. The backrest ends in a circular recess, adding an optically refined impression with great effect - a characteristic which is very typical of Finn Juhl, who famously said that the deviation is in the detail.

The Japan Chair in walnut with 'Rami' upholstery in the colour '6810'.
The Japan Chair in walnut upholstered with 'OZI' in the colour '220'. Photo: Elisabeth Heltoft for Sahco
The Japan Chair in walnut with 'Halk' upholstery in the colour '1-110' on the seat and '1-100' on the back. Photo credit: Yepom
The Japan Chair in walnut with 'Halk' upholstery in the colour '1-110' on the seat and '1-100' on the back. Photo credit: Yepom
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