“Kirin Beer – ‘Rubin Riki’ Woman Holding a Glass” – Original Pre‑War Japanese Advertising Poster, 1931 (Shōwa 6), Designed by Hokuu Tada (多田北烏), Ultra Rare, Museum‑Grade HB‑Process Colour Print (c. 91.6 × 61.0 cm)

An exquisite, highly scarce original pre‑war advertising poster for Kirin Beer, officially dated to Shōwa 6 (1931) in the Shōwa‑kan (昭和館) collection database, with the design credited to 多田北烏 (Tada Hokuu).

Given that this historically significant poster is over 95 years old - it`s condition is impeccable.

This celebrated image presents a luminous “modern girl” (モダンガール) of early‑Shōwa urban culture—bobbed hair, Western‑style glamour—raising a tall glass of amber beer, her smile half‑playful, half‑knowing. Shōwa‑kan’s own commentary highlights the poster’s “modern girl” styling and relaxed, pre‑sip mood.

Across the top, the bold katakana headline reads ルービンリキ (right‑to‑left), a period convention that resolves to キリンビール (“Kirin Beer”). The lower margin bears the distinctive HB printer’s mark (精版印刷會社 / Seihan Insatsu) seen on high‑grade Japanese commercial colour work of the era, and the artist’s signature/seal appears at lower left.

Kirin’s own official history site discusses 多田北烏 as a key artist for Kirin Beer posters beginning around 1920, and Shōwa‑kan credits this exact 1931 design to 多田北烏.

This poster is in remarkably strong condition for a 1931 wall poster—a true standout among surviving pre‑war beer advertisements we’ve handled, combining iconic image‑power with unusually attractive preservation.

Poster Details

Title: Kirin Beer – ‘Rubin Riki’ Woman Holding a Glass (キリンビールポスター『ルービンリキ（グラスを持つ女性）』)
Brand / Product: Kirin Beer (キリンビール)
Country / Year: Japan, 1931 (Shōwa 6)
Artist / Designer: Hokuu Tada (多田北烏)
Format: Original Japanese commercial advertising poster (large‑format one‑sheet)
Dimensions: Approx. 91.6 × 61.0 cm 
Printing / Process: HB‑process colour print (HB / 精版印刷會社 mark in the lower margin)

Description

The composition is a masterclass in early Shōwa commercial elegance. A glamorous young woman—cosmopolitan, self‑possessed, and unmistakably modern—holds a tall pilsner glass up to the light. The beer glows in saturated amber beneath a creamy foam crown, becoming the visual anchor of the design.

The deep blue background and dramatic shadowing create a painterly, almost cinematic atmosphere, while the woman’s luminous skin tones and carefully modelled highlights give the sheet an “oil‑painting” presence at full size. Shōwa‑kan’s commentary specifically notes the modern‑girl fashion and the relaxed moment before the drink is taken—exactly the kind of aspirational lifestyle advertising Kirin used as beer became a symbol of urban sophistication.

At the top, the large katakana ルービンリキ reads right‑to‑left (a period typographic convention), effectively spelling キリンビール. The lower margin carries the distinctive HB printer’s mark associated with Seihan Insatsu (精版印刷會社), and the lower left bears the artist’s signature/seal consistent with 北烏 (Hokuu).

Rarity

Original pre‑war Japanese beer posters were inherently ephemeral—meant for shop windows, cafés, and restaurants, then discarded at campaign’s end. As a result, true period originals are dramatically scarcer than later reproductions and reprints (which are extremely common!).

This exact design is not just “in the style of” the era; it is securely dated and institutionally catalogued: Shōwa‑kan records this Kirin Beer poster as Shōwa 6 (1931) and credits the design to 多田北烏.

Condition

Condition: Very Good+ to Near Excellent for a 1931 Japanese advertising poster; exceptionally well‑preserved relative to typical surviving pre‑war beer sheets.

• Paper displays honest, even age‑toning consistent with early‑Shōwa vintage.

• Image colours remain strong—notably the deep blue background, warm flesh tones, and the luminous amber of the beer.

• Reinforcement: the sheet has been strengthened with tin strips at the top and bottom, a period‑practical display reinforcement often seen on large posters.

• Reverse shows expected overall toning/spotting typical of age and long-term storage; no modern backing is visible from the photographs.

Overall: for a large, fragile 1931 commercial poster, the survival and presentation are remarkable.

Historical Significance

Kirin’s early poster campaigns are a visual record of Japan’s transition into modern consumer culture. Kirin’s official history site notes that from around 1920, painter 多田北烏 became closely associated with Kirin Beer poster work, producing images that helped broaden the brand’s appeal and define the look of beer advertising in the Taishō–early Shōwa years.

By 1931, the “modern girl” had become a potent symbol of cosmopolitan life—cafés, nightlife, and Western fashion—and this poster embodies that shift. Shōwa‑kan’s record emphasizes the modern‑girl styling and the calm, anticipatory mood of the moment, making this sheet both a beautiful design object and a cultural document of early‑1930s Japan.

Additional Information

Authenticity: Guaranteed original pre‑war printing; not a modern reproduction.
Documentation: Institutionally dated and credited: Shōwa‑kan (昭和館) records this Kirin Beer poster as Shōwa 6 (1931), design by 多田北烏.

A genuinely special opportunity to acquire a canonical, institutionally documented pre‑war Kirin Beer poster—iconic image, early‑Shōwa glamour, and unusually strong condition for a 1931 survivor.