“Sanjuro” (椿三十郎), Original Re-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1969, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) Q144

This is an original Japanese B2 movie poster printed in 1969 for the Japanese theatrical re-release of Sanjuro (椿三十郎), Akira Kurosawa’s celebrated samurai film starring Toshirō Mifune.

Sanjuro was originally released in 1962 and was directed by Akira Kurosawa, with a cast including Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiju Kobayashi, Yūzō Kayama, Reiko Dan, Takashi Shimura, and Kamatari Fujiwara. Conceived after the success of Yojimbo, the film again centres on Mifune’s wandering, sardonic rōnin — here named Sanjuro Tsubaki — whose apparent roughness conceals a sharp moral intelligence and tactical brilliance.

The film is one of Kurosawa’s most refined samurai entertainments, balancing comedy, political intrigue, swordplay, and sudden violence with remarkable precision. Mifune’s performance is central to its enduring appeal: weary, amused, unpredictable, and explosive when necessary. The climactic duel between Mifune and Nakadai remains one of the most famous moments in Japanese chanbara cinema.

This 1969 re-release poster has superb visual presence. The design is dominated by a large close-up portrait of Toshirō Mifune as Sanjuro, with the bold red brush title 椿三十郎 sweeping across the lower half. Smaller action vignettes show sword-fighting scenes and supporting characters, while the upper-left text promotes the film’s wit, power, and international reputation. 

Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos; they show the exact poster for sale. 

It is over 57 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.