Original Japanese Akira Kurosawa Movie Posters

Akira Kurosawa (黒澤 明, 1910–1998) is one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema. His extraordinary body of work, including Rashomon (1950), Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961), and Ran (1985), transformed Japanese filmmaking and profoundly influenced generations of directors worldwide.

The Akira Kurosawa collection is one of the most important and extensive collections at Japan Poster Shop, bringing together a remarkable selection of original Japanese theatrical posters spanning his career, from his earliest productions through to his final films.

Among the collection’s highlights are exceptionally rare Japanese first-release posters for some of the most celebrated films in cinematic history. These include important original theatrical materials from Kurosawa’s defining collaborations with Toshiro Mifune, alongside scarce examples in the traditional B2 format, larger B1 and B0 sizes, distinctive STB Tatekan cinema signboards, and monumental billboard formats.

Certain first-release examples are of genuine museum-grade significance, representing exceptionally scarce survivors from the original Japanese theatrical campaigns. Many of these posters were produced in limited quantities, displayed in cinemas and subsequently discarded, making surviving examples particularly difficult to acquire, especially in excellent condition.

The collection also includes original Japanese re-release posters, alternative designs, promotional materials, and posters from Kurosawa’s later masterpieces, providing a fascinating visual history of how his films were presented to successive generations of Japanese audiences.

With examples ranging from approximately US$100 to several thousand dollars and beyond, the collection offers opportunities for both emerging collectors and established connoisseurs seeking important pieces of Japanese cinematic history.

From the powerful imagery of Seven Samurai and Throne of Blood to the striking compositions of Kagemusha, Ran, and Dreams, these posters are celebrated not only as film memorabilia but also as significant works of Japanese graphic design and twentieth-century visual culture.

Every poster is carefully catalogued and authenticated by Japan Poster Shop, with particular attention to its original release history, format, condition, and rarity. Our extensive sourcing network within Japan also allows us to acquire exceptional examples from private collections, including posters that rarely appear on the open market.