“Sanjuro” (椿三十郎), Original Japanese First-Release Speed Movie Poster, Printed 1961 for the 1962 Release, Very Rare, Size (26 × 73 cm) — K223

This is a very rare original Japanese speed poster from the first-release campaign for Sanjuro, Akira Kurosawa’s celebrated samurai film starring Toshiro Mifune. The bottom margin bears the printed credit “Printed in Japan © TOHO Co., Ltd 1961”, preceding the film’s Japanese theatrical opening on 1 January 1962.

Measuring approximately 26 × 73 cm, this slim vertical format provides a particularly elegant setting for the poster’s enormous red title lettering. Its restrained combination of calligraphy, a camellia illustration and the Toho emblem makes it a distinctive piece of original Kurosawa publicity.

A companion to Yojimbo, Sanjuro follows Mifune’s resourceful wandering ronin as he becomes involved with nine young samurai attempting to expose corruption within their clan. Their idealism repeatedly collides with his experience, giving the film its sharp mixture of humour, political intrigue and sudden violence.

The cast includes Tatsuya Nakadai, Yuzo Kayama, Reiko Dan and Keiju Kobayashi, whose names appear down the left side of the poster. Mifune’s rough manners conceal a perceptive and unexpectedly compassionate character, while the film’s celebrated final confrontation gives its exploration of violence a devastating conclusion.

The design is dominated by 椿三十郎, rendered in brilliant red brushstroke lettering against a muted grey ground. The irregular edges and sweeping strokes preserve the expressive character of handwritten calligraphy, with the narrow format allowing the title to extend almost the full height of the sheet.

At upper right, a second column of red lettering announces:

「黒沢明監督作品」
“A film directed by Akira Kurosawa.”

The black promotional line beside it reads:

「御存じ三十郎と九人の若侍の話」
“The story of the familiar Sanjuro and nine young samurai.”

This wording introduces the returning character directly to audiences who already knew him from Yojimbo. The circular Toho logo sits at upper left, while the production and screenplay credits are arranged in fine vertical columns on the right.

A beautifully shaded camellia blossom and branch complete the lower corner. The flower refers to tsubaki, meaning “camellia,” in the Japanese title, adding a delicate botanical detail beneath the forceful lettering.

An exceptionally attractive design for collectors of Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune, Japanese calligraphy and original samurai cinema posters.

Condition: Excellent.

A horizontal centre fold is visible, with associated creasing and some surface wear along the fold. The red lettering remains vivid, and the poster retains excellent overall display appeal.

Please review all photographs, including the front, reverse and detail image, as they show the exact poster for sale.

Slim vertical speed-poster format: approximately 26 × 73 cm.
Printed date: 1961, for the original January 1962 release.
Stock code: K223.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.