“100 Monsters” / 「妖怪百物語」, Original Japanese STB Theatrical Poster, First Release 1968, Kimiyoshi Yasuda / Daiei, Ultra Rare, STB Size (approx. 51 × 145 cm) T65

This is a rare original Japanese STB theatrical poster printed in 1968 for the first release of 100 Monsters / 「妖怪百物語」 (Yōkai Hyakumonogatari), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda and produced by Daiei.

This large-format Japanese STB poster presents a spectacular gathering of the film’s supernatural creatures, combining towering red title lettering, sinister photographic imagery, and an extraordinary assortment of Japanese yōkai. Its tall vertical composition gives each creature space to emerge from the darkness, creating a particularly striking piece of Japanese horror advertising.

Film background
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, with a screenplay by Tetsurō Yoshida and special effects directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda, 100 Monsters stars Jun Fujimaki, Miwa Takada, and Sei Hiraizumi.

Set in Edo-period Japan, the story follows a corrupt merchant whose plans to demolish a tenement and shrine to establish a brothel threaten the local community. After hosting a gathering of supernatural tales known as hyakumonogatari, he neglects the protective ritual that should conclude the evening. As strange apparitions begin to appear, the perpetrators find themselves facing a distinctly supernatural form of justice.

Released in Japan on 20 March 1968, the film became the first entry in Daiei’s celebrated yōkai trilogy, followed by Spook Warfare (1968) and Along with Ghosts (1969). From the studio behind Gamera and Daimajin, it combines period drama, folk horror, and imaginative practical effects, with creatures that range from unsettling to mischievously comic.

Poster design
The Japanese title 「妖怪百物語」 descends along the left side in enormous red characters outlined in pale yellow. Opposite, a looming, wild-haired ōkubi, or giant head, dominates the upper section, while the impossibly elongated neck of a rokurokubi curves through the centre.

Below, the one-eyed, one-legged umbrella spirit occupies a commanding position, its long tongue and outstretched arms capturing the film’s blend of humour and grotesquerie. Surrounding figures include the faceless nopperabō, abura-sumashi, and other creatures identified by small Japanese captions.

The lower-right corner gathers the frightened human characters beneath stark, leafless branches, providing a dramatic contrast to the supernatural figures surrounding them. Red, yellow, and green lettering against the dark background gives the composition exceptional visual impact.

This is an especially appealing design for collectors of Japanese horror, yōkai imagery, and Daiei special-effects cinema, bringing so many of the film’s distinctive creatures together in one composition.

The STB format
The STB, or tatekan, format is one of the most dramatic Japanese theatrical poster formats, measuring approximately 51 × 145 cm. Its elongated proportions give it a commanding presence when framed.

For 100 Monsters, the format is particularly effective: the giant head, looping neck, umbrella spirit, and smaller figures form an almost continuous procession down the poster, echoing the film’s gathering of supernatural beings.

Condition
Very good to excellent vintage condition for its age and format. Please review the detailed photographs carefully, including the reverse and close-ups, as they show the exact poster for sale.

The poster has was previously displayed at the time and shows relatively minor signs of use such as creasing, surface wear, and scattered small pinholes. 

The close-up of the faceless figure also shows faint scratched or indented facial markings (likely period graffiti from when the poster was displayed to advertise the film almost 6 decades ago!). These details should be considered alongside the overall presentation, which retains strong colour, striking red typography, and exceptionally characterful imagery.

Once framed, this poster will display exceptionally.

This is an original Japanese STB theatrical poster from the film’s first release in 1968.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 58 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.