“Kagemusha” (影武者), 1980 Japanese A2 Poster (Cast Recruitment / “Performers Wanted” Advance), Ultra Rare, A2 Size (44.5 × 59.5 cm) O603

This is an original Japanese A2 poster issued in Japan as a cast‑recruitment notice for Akira Kurosawa’s epic Kagemusha (影武者). Rather than a standard theatrical one‑sheet, this is a rare, studio‑side promotional piece built around a bold headline—「出演者募集」 (“Performers / cast wanted”)—and a printed statement from Kurosawa himself inviting applications. It also carries the prestige international credit line for the overseas production side, naming Francis Coppola and George Lucas as overseas producers (as printed on the sheet).

Film background
Kagemusha is one of Kurosawa’s defining late‑period achievements: a vast Sengoku‑era tragedy in which a condemned thief is forced to become the double (“shadow warrior”) of a dead warlord—performing power so convincingly it must hold an entire clan together. The film’s themes of identity as theatre, authority as illusion, and the violence beneath ceremony are mirrored perfectly by this poster’s “manifesto” tone.

What makes this A2 extraordinary is the Japanese text itself, which reads less like marketing and more like a director’s public call to arms. Key printed lines include:

• 「出演者募集」 — Casting call / performers wanted

• 「今や、日本映画は新しい人材の発掘とそれを育てる事から出直さなければならない。」 — “Japanese cinema must start over by discovering new talent and nurturing it.”

• 「俳優としての実績経験の有無は問わない。ふるって応募していただきたい。」 — “Experience as an actor is not required. Please apply enthusiastically.”
  The statement is printed with Kurosawa’s name at the end, underscoring that this recruitment push is presented as Kurosawa’s personal initiative rather than anonymous studio copy.

Poster design
A stark, museum‑clean monochrome design that feels closer to editorial design or a calligraphy broadside than a conventional movie poster. The enormous brush‑stroke title 「影武者」 dominates the page like a banner, while the central vertical tagline—
「動乱の戦国を巨大なる幻が行く—」 (“Through the turbulent Sengoku era, a gigantic illusion moves—”)—functions like a poetic logline.

At the bottom, a halftone behind‑the‑scenes image of Kurosawa at the camera anchors the sheet in documentary reality—an auteur literally at work—while the left column provides application guidelines (出演者応募要領) and role/character information (登場人物), reinforcing that this was meant to be read, acted on, and posted, not simply collected.

Rarity and condition
Non‑standard Kurosawa paper like this—especially A2 recruitment material—was produced for practical distribution and display, not long‑term survival, and it is very rarely encountered today compared with standard B2 theatrical posters. It’s a highly desirable crossover piece: part Kagemusha advance advertising, part Kurosawa production ephemera, and part graphic design object.

Condition is excellent overall. 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.