"Tokyo Olympiad (東京オリンピック)", Original Japanese Movie Poster 1965, (Marathon Runner), First Release, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) N172

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1965 for the first theatrical release of Tokyo Olympiad (東京オリンピック), directed by Kon Ichikawa. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sports documentaries ever made, the film captured the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics with unprecedented artistry and vision.

Film background
Commissioned to document Japan’s first Olympic Games, Tokyo Olympiad was initially expected to be a straightforward record of events. Instead, director Kon Ichikawa created a groundbreaking cinematic work that emphasized human struggle, emotion, and athletic beauty over pure statistics. The film’s innovative use of telephoto lenses, slow motion, and intimate close-ups redefined the sports documentary genre. Critically acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, it became one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of its time and remains a landmark in Olympic and documentary cinema.

Poster design
This poster — one of a set of four original designs — is the perhaps the most sought after, featuring a dramatic image of the marathon runner against the packed stadium crowd. The bold vertical kanji “東京オリンピック” (Tokyo Olympiad) dominates the left side, while the Olympic rings and red sun motif appear alongside Ichikawa’s director credit on the right. The composition conveys both the grandeur of the Games and the endurance of the individual athlete. Considered one of the most desirable pieces from the set, this design has become a centerpiece for collectors of Olympic memorabilia and Japanese cinema history.

This poster is in excellent condition (please refer to imagery, both front and back, of the exact poster for sale).

It is nearly 60 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.