A Sitting Experience Reminiscent of First-Class Airplane Seats

With over 8 million units sold since its launch in 1971, the Ekornes "Stressless® Chair" is a reclining chair now favored in over 50 countries worldwide. For Norwegians, who spend long winters at home, chairs are like close friends. It was precisely because of this importance that founder Jens E. Ekornes spent about two years developing a chair that would allow users to "forget the day's fatigue and relax." The ergonomically designed chair automatically reclines along the body with just a lean back, and it is even recommended by the American Chiropractic Association.

This October, two new models were added to the "Stressless® Chair" lineup to commemorate Ekornes' 80th anniversary. The "Metro" is a modern reinterpretation of the original "Stressless® Chair," retaining its classic, retro charm, while the "City" offers a simple and sophisticated Norwegian aesthetic. Both models feature the same exceptional comfort, but with slimmer backs and seats, and a steel base that embodies Nordic modernism. From these new products, Makoto Tanijiri selected the "Stressless® Metro" in taupe.

"It's wonderful, isn't it? This comfort. Actually, the first time I sat in it, I fell asleep. I was talking with my staff after returning to the office, and before I knew it... It reminded me of airplanes. You know how sometimes you're in first class, and you just arrive without realizing it? It brought that to mind," said Tanijiri.

"I chose the taupe 'Metro' because I thought it would match the colors and atmosphere of my office. Black would work too, but since the chair itself has a certain presence, I chose this to avoid making the space feel too heavy. When choosing a chair, people tend to look only at the chair itself, but it's important to consider its surroundings. It's like buying pants by imagining the jackets you already own at home. Observing your surroundings leads to a better understanding of the object. The same applies to architecture."

True Relaxation Resides in Fundamental Simplicity

For over 40 years since its debut, the "Stressless® Chair" has focused on improving its functionality. In 1991, it adopted the Plus™ system (Note 1) for enhanced comfort. In 2001, a feature allowing the backrest to recline deeply enough for sleeping was developed. Through continuous refinement of its unique spring structure that follows the body's natural "S-curve" in any posture, and a headrest that maintains the same angle, the chair has pursued its signature enveloping comfort.

However, what's most noteworthy is that its fundamental structure remains remarkably unchanged. For nearly half a century, no levers or stoppers have been added. The way it reclines effortlessly with the user, conforming to their body's desires, has remained the same.

Tanijiri praises this simplicity as "fundamental."


"The fact that it has maintained a simple operation for over 40 years is fundamental and strikes at the core, which I find very appealing."

"Ultimately, humans are inherently self-centered and constantly seek new conveniences. But if you manage to master something that is inconvenient, people tend to boast about its inconvenience. It's like with cars that break down; people say, 'This car breaks down a lot,' but then they add, 'No one else can drive it like I can.' That implies a sense of attachment. Making something truly your own comes from the richness gained through using it, nurturing it, and overcoming its challenges. Pursuing convenience alone can make it difficult to develop a genuine attachment. Fundamentally simple things remain constant. Therefore, rather than adding unnecessary features, they are often sufficient as they are."

He further elaborated on the concept of relaxation:

"While it involves resting the body, I believe relaxation is about each person finding liberation. It's about being able to genuinely enjoy something or being in a comfortable state. The prerequisite for this is having an active mindset. I want to continue creating things that offer this kind of 'space' for creative thinking, and I want to use them myself, nurturing them as I go."

(Note 1) A function where internal springs move along the spine to support the lower back. Additionally, when reclining, the headrest rises to support the head. This allows for comfortable reading or watching TV as the gaze remains forward. International patent pending.



Ekornes Co., Ltd.
0120-18-1485
Stressless® Showroom Tokyo
0120-11-9269
http://stressless-pr.jp/metro_city/