“Sharaku” / 「写楽」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1995, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) A254

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Sharaku / 「写楽」, Masahiro Shinoda’s acclaimed 1995 historical drama exploring the mystery surrounding the great ukiyo-e master Tōshūsai Sharaku.

Stylish, intellectual, and visually refined, Sharaku is one of the most distinctive Japanese period films of the 1990s, combining art history, kabuki culture, and Edo-period atmosphere in a bold reimagining of one of Japan’s most enigmatic artistic figures.

Film background

Set in the Edo period, the film imagines the life and identity of Tōshūsai Sharaku, the legendary ukiyo-e artist whose intense and psychologically charged actor portraits transformed Japanese printmaking before he disappeared almost as suddenly as he appeared.

The story follows Tonbo, an eccentric and gifted kabuki performer who is discovered by the visionary publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō. Working under the name Sharaku, he begins producing radically expressive and often unflattering portraits of famous actors, provoking resistance from the artistic establishment and wider society.

The film was directed by Masahiro Shinoda and developed from the long-standing research and planning of Frankie Sakai. The screenplay was written by Masahiro Shinoda, Haruhiko Arai, and Taichi Yamada. The cast includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Frankie Sakai, Shima Iwashita, and Naoto Takenaka.

Sharaku was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival and was widely praised for its production design, historical atmosphere, cinematography, and costume work. It also performed strongly at the Japan Academy Film Prize, winning multiple craft categories.

Poster design

The poster uses a minimalist and highly sophisticated white-ground composition. At its centre sits Hiroyuki Sanada, barefoot and dressed in a dark Edo-period kimono, crouched in a poised, tense position that immediately draws the eye.

Behind him is a monumental graphic rendering of the fierce arched eyebrows and dramatic eyes taken from one of Sharaku’s celebrated kabuki portraits. This device creates a striking dialogue between the historical artist’s visual language and the film’s living embodiment of him.

The main horizontal line of text reads:

「江戸のしかけ花火――写楽。天才絵師、歌舞伎に挑む炎の筆。」

“Edo’s trick fireworks—Sharaku. A genius artist, a brush of fire challenging kabuki.”

Along the right side appears the bold brush-script phrase:

「しゃらくせえ。」

A defiant Edo-style expression suggesting something like “Impertinent!” or “Don’t be absurd!”, giving the poster an irreverent and characterful flourish.

At the top, the title is elegantly split into the large kanji:

「写」 and 「楽」

with the romanized title “Sharaku” printed between them in a refined italic typeface.

The lower section contains neatly arranged production credits, while the bottom margin is anchored by a horizontal strip of nine small cast stills, adding a subtle ensemble element without disturbing the poster’s overall restraint. The credits conclude by noting the film as a Shochiku Centennial Anniversary commemorative production.

Release note

This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release in 1995.

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive example, with clean presentation, strong colour, crisp printing, and excellent overall display impact.

There are light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster from this period, but overall it presents extremely well.

Reference: A254.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1995 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now around 30 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.