“Kagemusha” (影武者), 1980 Japanese 19 × 41 Rare Advance Poster (No‑Signatures Variant; Unfolded Example), Poster Size (c. 48 × 104 cm) O601

This is an original Japanese 19 × 41 inch‑format advance (teaser) poster issued in 1980 for Akira Kurosawa’s Kagemusha (影武者), the historic epic whose international profile was strengthened through the executive‑producer support of Francis Ford Coppola (alongside George Lucas).

This example is the no‑signatures variant in an unfolded presentation (distinct from the “folded‑as‑issued” copy), offering a cleaner, more continuous surface for display.

Film background
Kagemusha stands as a pinnacle of late Kurosawa: a story of substitution and illusion that becomes a profound reflection on leadership, mythology, and the human cost of impersonating power. Its stature as world cinema is inseparable from its famed production narrative—Kurosawa backed by international auteurs, with Coppola’s name part of the film’s enduring legend and global reception.

Poster design
A masterclass in negative space and symbolic force: the warrior’s silhouette is less a character than an emblem—an outline of authority carved against mist. The title 「影武者」 sits within the body like a hidden identity, and the restrained credit column 「黒澤明監督作品」 anchors the design with a formal, almost institutional gravitas.

In this tall 19 × 41 format, the composition reads like a scroll painting—quiet, imposing, and profoundly cinematic.

Rarity and condition
This 19 × 41 Japanese format is rare, with survival rates far below standard poster sizes. An unfolded example is especially display‑friendly and is prized by collectors who want the full uninterrupted impact of the silhouette.

Condition is very good overall, with the expected signs of use from age and original handling (light creasing/handling wear and minor edge wear visible in the photos; typical reverse wear). Not linen‑backed. Please inspect the photos carefully as they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 40 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.