“Appassionata” (序の舞 / Jo no Mai), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1984, B2 Size (c. 51.5 × 72.8 cm) Q254

An original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Sadao Nakajima’s Appassionata, released by Toei on 14 January 1984. The pink inscription at the lower left announces “A New Year film for 1984”, placing this illustrated design in the film’s original theatrical campaign.

In Excellent condition. The pink and vermilion title retains strong colour, and the fine lines of the kimono illustration stand out clearly against the deep indigo background.

Film background

Adapted from Tomiko Miyao’s novel, Appassionata follows Tsuya Shimamura, played by Yūko Natori, the younger daughter of a widowed Kyoto tea merchant. When the teenage Tsuya wins a prize for her painting, her mother Sei, played by Mariko Okada, begins to recognise her talent. Their relationship comes under strain when Tsuya becomes pregnant by her painting master and Sei forbids her to paint.

Miyao drew on the life of Shōen Uemura, the Kyoto painter who became the first woman to receive Japan’s Order of Culture in 1948. The film takes its Japanese title from Uemura’s 1936 painting Jo no Mai, which depicts a woman performing a Noh dance.

Poster design

A woman in kimono inclines her head towards one raised hand. Pale grey lines pick out her hairpins, the folds of her sleeves and the snowflake motifs on her obi. Above her, the Japanese title sweeps diagonally across a field of black and indigo stripes, its brushstrokes shifting from pink through cream to vermilion. The triangular Toei emblem sits at the lower left.

The red lettering down the right edge gives the poster its Kyoto-dialect tagline.
「男はんにはわからしまへん。」
“Men wouldn’t understand.”

Condition

Excellent overall. Light handling creases are visible along the left edge and there are a few faint marks on the otherwise clean reverse. The central illustration is well preserved and will display beautifully framed. Please review the front and reverse photographs for the full condition.

An original vintage Japanese theatrical poster from Toei’s 1984 first release.
Over 40 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.