“Sanjuro” (椿三十郎), Original Japanese Re-Release Speed Movie Poster 1968, Akira Kurosawa, Rare Format (c. 26 × 73 cm) N98A
This is an original Japanese speed poster printed for the 1968 theatrical re-release campaign of Sanjuro (椿三十郎), Akira Kurosawa’s celebrated 1962 samurai film starring Toshirō Mifune. Produced and distributed by Toho, the film is the brilliant companion piece to Yojimbo, again featuring Mifune as the wily, dangerous, and darkly humorous wandering rōnin.
This is a rare slim vertical speed-poster format, measuring approximately 26 × 73 cm, and is especially desirable for its bold, typography-led design.
Film background
Directed by Akira Kurosawa, Sanjuro stars Toshirō Mifune as a rough-edged rōnin who becomes involved with a group of young, idealistic samurai attempting to expose corruption within their clan. What follows is a sharp mixture of political intrigue, swordplay, comedy, and sudden violence.
Originally conceived separately and then reshaped around the popularity of Mifune’s Yojimbo character, Sanjuro became one of Kurosawa’s most entertaining and perfectly controlled samurai films. It is particularly famous for its explosive final duel — one of the most startling moments in Japanese action cinema.
Poster design
This 1968 speed poster is a superb example of Japanese re-release graphic design. Rather than relying on photographic imagery, the composition is built almost entirely from powerful typography. A vivid red background is overlaid with huge grey brush-style calligraphy spelling 椿三十郎 — Sanjuro — running vertically down the centre of the sheet.
At right, bold white text reads:
「黒沢明監督作品」
“A film directed by Akira Kurosawa.”
The central vertical promotional copy reads:
「逆抜き不意討ち斬り！面白さで凄さで時代劇に革命をもたらしたこの名作！」
A natural rendering is:
“A reverse-draw surprise slash! This masterpiece revolutionised period drama through both its excitement and its power!”
The left side lists the principal cast in crisp white vertical type, including Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yūzō Kayama, Keiju Kobayashi, and Akira Kubo. The Toho roundel appears at upper right, while the lower section includes Toho production/distribution credits and the Eirin mark.
The overall effect is austere but forceful: red field, grey calligraphy, white credits, and Kurosawa’s name used as the central selling point.
About the format
Japanese speed posters were narrow theatrical advertisements designed for quick, high-visibility display in cinema approaches, theatre-front speed frames, station areas, narrow walls, and other compact promotional spaces. Their slim format allowed them to be read instantly from a distance, often in crowded urban environments.
Because they were short-term public display items, speed posters were frequently folded, pinned, taped, pasted, handled, or discarded. Surviving examples for major Kurosawa titles are therefore considerably scarcer than standard B2 posters, especially in strong displayable condition.
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. Please review the photos carefully; they show the exact poster for sale, including the front and reverse.
This poster is an original Japanese theatrical speed poster from the 1968 re-release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is over 58 years old!
Certificate of Authenticity included.
