“The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice” (お茶漬の味) — Framed unfolded original Japanese first release pamphlet-poster for Yasujiro Ozu’s 1952 Shochiku classic — Unfolded display size c. 18 × 50 cm (B5 when folded) • GA9

This is an original Japanese FRAMED pamphlet-poster from the first release of The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (お茶漬の味, Ochazuke no Aji) in 1952, directed by Yasujiro Ozu. It is authentic vintage Japanese cinema paper—not a reproduction or a reprint—and is now over 73 years old.

The artwork for the poster is set in a cream-colored mount and black frame, complementing its design fantastically. The poster is extremely rare and in demand by collectors of Yasujiro Ozu.

This size of poster can be displayed anywhere; it’s ideal for an office desk, or at home. This poster comes framed and will make a beautiful gift for family, friend or… yourself!

Size (unframed paper, approx.):
• Original pamphlet size (folded, B5): c. 25 × 18 cm (approx. 9.84 × 7.09 in)
• Framed presentation (unfolded to show front + back cover together): c. 18 × 50 cm (approx. 7.09 × 19.69 in)
• Studio / distributor: Shochiku (松竹株式会社)

Why this matters
Yasujiro Ozu is one of the most influential filmmakers in world cinema, and The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice is a beautifully observed postwar masterpiece exploring marriage, tradition, and modernity in Japan. The story follows a middle-class couple whose relationship strains under social expectations and personal distance. The title refers to a simple, comforting meal—ochazuke—which becomes a symbol of sincerity and grounded contentment, contrasted with the polished but emotionally remote world the characters inhabit.

Starring Shin Saburi, Michiyo Kogure, and Keiko Tsushima, the film is a quintessential example of Ozu’s art: measured, humane, and quietly profound—built with his signature static compositions, tatami-level camera placement, and minimalist storytelling.

About this piece
Format: one original Japanese first-release theater-issued program/pamphlet, professionally mounted unfolded so the front cover and the back cover advert are both visible side-by-side in a single frame.
• Original 1952 Japanese first-release-era pamphlet-poster for The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice
• Framed opened out flat to display the complete spread (front cover portrait + back cover advert)
• Presented in a cream mount with a dark brown frame (framed display included)
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Sold framed as shown — ready to display immediately

Design & iconography
The front cover is an elegant, studio-era portrait of lead actress Michiyo Kogure in traditional attire, posed against a textured backdrop with bold seasonal flowers—an image that feels refined, calm, and quietly luminous (perfectly in tune with Ozu’s tone). At the bottom left, the credit 「小津安二郎 作品」 (“A work by Yasujirō Ozu”) is printed, and the Shochiku mark appears at the lower right—confirming this as original period studio material tied to Ozu’s longtime home.

The back cover is a wonderfully “of its time” period advert that makes this framed, unfolded presentation especially desirable: a beautifully illustrated Ajinomoto “Aji-no-moto” (味の素) seasoning advertisement. It features a carefully drawn tray meal and prominent red Aji-no-moto tin and bottle, with headline text tying the product directly to the film’s subject of everyday food culture—an inspired, culturally relevant pairing that turns the reverse into display art in its own right.

Translations of the main captions
Main film title: 「お茶漬の味」 — “The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice”
Director credit: 「小津安二郎 作品」 — “A work by Yasujirō Ozu”
Studio name: 「松竹株式会社」 — “Shochiku Co., Ltd.”
Back cover headline: 「お茶漬の味に欠かせない」 — “Indispensable for the taste of ochazuke”
Brand: 「味の素」 — “Aji-no-moto” (Ajinomoto seasoning)

Rarity & significance
Original, first-release Japanese paper for Ozu films is increasingly scarce, and pieces with strong visual appeal (like this portrait cover) are especially sought after. Framed unfolded to include the period back-cover Ajinomoto advert, this becomes more than a film program—it’s a compact slice of 1952 Japanese cinema culture, where studio promotion, star imagery, and everyday postwar domestic life meet in one striking presentation. A must-have for collectors of Ozu, Shochiku ephemera, and Japanese graphic design.

Condition
Excellent condition for its age. Please refer to the imagery (both front and back) as this is the exact poster that is for sale. Minor age-related handling marks may be present consistent with genuine vintage paper, but overall it remains clean, vivid, and highly displayable—especially in its current framed presentation.

Details
Country: Japan
Year of issue: 1952 (first release)
Film: The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (お茶漬の味 / Ochazuke no Aji)
Director: Yasujiro Ozu
Studio / distributor: Shochiku (松竹株式会社)
Starring: Shin Saburi, Michiyo Kogure, Keiko Tsushima
Size (paper, folded B5, approx.): c. 25 × 18 cm (approx. 9.84 × 7.09 in)
Displayed size (paper, unfolded as framed, approx.): c. 18 × 50 cm (approx. 7.09 × 19.69 in)
Printing: Original 1952 issue — not a reproduction / not a reprint
Verso: Back cover features original period Ajinomoto “Aji-no-moto” (味の素) advert (displayed in-frame)
Authentication: COA included
Internal ref: GA9