Pair of Armchairs
Manufactured by Tendo Mokko
Japan, 1960s
Bent plywood, metal, fabric upholstery

Measurements (each)
90 × 86 × 65h cm
35,4 × 33,9 × 25,6h in

Provenance
Private collection, Japan

Literature
Tendo Mokko catalogues 1960s

About Tendo Mokko
Founded in Yamagata Prefecture in 1940, Tendo Mokko is among the most celebrated manufacturers in the history of Japanese modern design. Originally established as a woodworking cooperative, the company pioneered the use of molded plywood and bentwood technologies in Japan, developing a distinctive approach that combined advanced engineering with exceptional craftsmanship.
Following the Second World War, Tendo Mokko collaborated with many of Japan's foremost architects and designers, including Sori Yanagi, Isamu Kenmochi, Kenzo Tange, and Riki Watanabe. Through these partnerships, the company helped establish the international identity of Japanese modern design and demonstrated the expressive possibilities of molded wood construction.
The company's expertise in bending and shaping plywood allowed designers to develop increasingly sophisticated furniture forms while maintaining structural strength and efficient production methods. Its furniture became particularly associated with the integration of traditional woodworking knowledge and modern industrial techniques, producing designs characterized by elegant proportions, technical precision, and sensitivity to materials.
Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, Tendo Mokko played a central role in the development of Japanese furniture design, manufacturing pieces for residential interiors, public buildings, and institutional spaces. Its continued production of historic designs reflects the enduring significance of its collaborations and its contribution to the evolution of modern furniture in Japan.