Ikiru” (生きる / Ikiru), Original Japanese Re-Release Movie Poster 1974, B2 Size (51 cm x 73 cm) G117
This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1974 for a Japanese re-release / revival screening of Ikiru, Akira Kurosawa’s immortal 1952 drama starring Takashi Shimura. A beautiful later Japanese theatrical poster for one of the most profound and beloved films in the history of Japanese cinema, it uses one of the film’s most unforgettable images in a design of remarkable restraint and emotional power.
Film background
Originally released in 1952, Ikiru is one of Kurosawa’s greatest human dramas: the story of a weary Tokyo bureaucrat who, after learning he is dying, begins to search desperately for meaning, dignity, and one genuinely worthwhile act before the end of his life. Led by a towering performance from Takashi Shimura, the film remains one of the director’s most emotionally direct and universally admired works. Quiet, devastating, and deeply humane, it stands at the very centre of post-war Japanese cinema and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Poster design
This 1974 re-release design is superb in its restraint. Rather than relying on montage or dramatic graphics, it is built around a single black-and-white still of the film’s most iconic image: the central character seated on a swing, suspended in darkness, with the woman standing beside him. The composition is hauntingly simple and perfectly suited to the tone of the film. The pale grey lower band, the English credit AKIRA KUROSAWA’S, the bold Japanese credit 黒澤 明 監督作品, and the title 生きる create an understated finish that gives the poster real elegance. It is a deeply moving and highly displayable Japanese revival poster for one of Kurosawa’s finest achievements.
Condition
Very Good. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale. This poster was previously displayed at the cinema and shows some minor signs of use. We have taken this into consideration when pricing.
It is over 51 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
