Noh Festival – 1964 Tokyo Olympics Official Art Exhibition Poster
Original B2 Poster | 51 x 73 cm | Offset Print | Sponsored by Sony
This striking B2-format poster was created for the Noh Festival, held as part of the Art Exhibition of the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics. Blending the world of traditional Japanese theater with international modernity, this rare original was issued to promote a series of Noh and Kyogen performances held in October 1964 at venues including Suidōbashi Nohgakudō and Kanze Kaikan.
At the heart of the design is a hauntingly serene Noh mask, printed in rich monochrome against a bold vermilion backdrop. The juxtaposition of modern Olympic branding with one of Japan’s most ancient art forms is both elegant and powerful—highlighting Japan’s cultural diplomacy during its postwar re-emergence on the global stage.
Notably, the poster is sponsored by Sony, then a pioneering tech company and a symbol of Japan’s postwar innovation. The branding at the bottom—“TRANSISTOR-TV TRANSISTOR-RADIO TAPE CORDER”—roots the artwork in the optimism of the 1960s tech boom.
Key Details:
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Event: Noh Festival – Tokyo 1964 Olympics Art Exhibition
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Date: October 5–9, 12–16, 1964
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Venue: Suidōbashi Nohgakudō & Kanze Kaikan
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Sponsor: Sony Corporation
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Print Size: B2 (c. 51 x 73 cm)
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Medium: Offset Lithograph
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Condition: Excellent vintage condition with vivid color and clean edges
Rarity & Significance:
This poster is a highly collectible piece of Olympic memorabilia and mid-century Japanese design. With its striking typographic balance, minimalist layout, and endorsement by a rising Sony, it embodies a key cultural moment when tradition and technology intersected on the world stage.
It is over 61 years old!
This poster is in excellent condition. Please refer to the imagery (both front and back) as this is the exact poster that is for sale.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
L164