“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (白雪姫), Original Japanese Re-Release Movie Poster (1958) Ultra Rare B2 (approx. 51 × 73 cm) — Daiei Distribution (大映配給) — Japanese-Language Version (日本語版) — Unrestored, Very Good / Excellent (G)

A superb 1958 Japanese re‑release B2 for Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, issued for the film’s Japanese “日本語版” (Japanese‑language version) campaign. Visually, it is a masterclass in Japanese poster economy: a clean pale ground, monumental vermilion title characters, and a radiant Snow White portrait—finished with the beloved marching dwarfs along the bottom edge.

For collectors, this sheet is the definition of a post‑war Japanese Disney trophy: Daiei distribution credit (大映配給), bold Japanese typographic presence, and explicit “Japanese‑language version” marketing that pins it to a specific—and highly desirable—moment in the film’s Japanese exhibition history. The poster is exceptionally difficult to source even within Japan, and was acquired from a private collection by Japan Poster Shop.

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in the United States in 1937, and is widely recognized as Disney’s first feature-length animated film.

The first Japanese release was in 1950 (we have this Holy Grail in our collection), followed by this 1958 campaign associated with the Japanese‑language (dubbed) version—a distinction reinforced on the poster by the large “日本語版” banner and the extensive Japanese cast listing.

The Film & Its Place in Disney’s Legacy

Produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by David Hand, Snow White is foundational not only to Disney but to animation history as a whole—an early feature-length benchmark that established the studio’s narrative and musical grammar for decades to come.

Its stature is reinforced by major institutional recognition: Walt Disney received a special Academy Honorary Award for Snow White—famously presented as one full‑size statuette accompanied by seven miniature ones.

Long‑term cultural importance is further underlined by selection for the U.S. National Film Registry.

Independent ranking bodies have also repeatedly elevated the film: the American Film Institute’s Ten Top Ten list (Animated Film category) placed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at #1, a rare institutional confirmation of its “best‑in‑class” status.

Disney, Daiei, and Post‑War Reception in Japan

This 1958 B2 is a vivid artifact of how Disney was positioned in post‑war Japan: not as “children’s matinee,” but as prestige world cinema—marketed loudly, clearly, and at scale.

Daiei’s involvement matters. Japanese sources describe Daiei’s early role in reintroducing Disney features to Japanese audiences in the immediate post‑war period (including Snow White), and this sheet’s bold 大映配給 footer functions as a period “fingerprint” tying it directly to that distribution history.

Design Notes

A poster engineered for instant recognition: the towering red 白雪姫 title characters dominate the upper register like a marquee—graphic, architectural, and unmistakably Japanese.

“Japanese‑language version” as a headline feature: the 日本語版 banner is treated like a stamp of importance, with the cast list placed prominently beneath—making the sheet feel unusually “version‑specific” for a Disney campaign item.

Iconic character focus: Snow White’s portrait is rendered with warm, clean colour and inviting expression, while the dwarfs march in a lively parade along the bottom—an affectionate, collectible “character roll‑call” that reads beautifully in a frame.

Minimal ground, soft colour bloom: the pale field and green airbrushed clouding create breathing space around the typography and figure—an elegant restraint that sets this design apart from busier Western one‑sheets.

Condition Report

Overall condition: Very Good / Excellent (unrestored).

Fold history & storage: the poster was originally folded (fold lines visible), but subsequently stored flat for approximately 25 years in a specially made poster cabinet—supporting its strong, even presentation.

Paper & tone: light, normal age-appropriate handling/toning is consistent with period Japanese paper; the sheet remains clean and visually crisp overall, with particularly strong impact in the red title typography and character art.

Provenance: acquired from a private collection by Japan Poster Shop.

Please review the provided photos (front and back)—they show the exact poster offered.