"Belladonna of Sadness (哀しみのベラドンナ)", Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1973, Rare, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) K261

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1973 for the first release of Belladonna of Sadness (哀しみのベラドンナ). In Japan we prize original, unrestored sheets—the character and history remain intact—and this example is a beauty.

A landmark of avant-garde animation, the film was directed by Eiichi Yamamoto for Mushi Production and loosely inspired by Jules Michelet’s “La Sorcière.” The final entry in Yamamoto’s “Animerama” cycle, it blends watercolour tableaux, psychedelic montage, and Masahiko Satō’s score into a hypnotic folk-horror fable. Long under-seen, it has since attained cult status, and first-release posters are among the most coveted of all Japanese cinema designs.

Poster artwork
The sheet showcases the film’s signature illustration style—widely associated with artist Kuni Fukai—with ethereal, elongated figures, flowing hair and vines, and allegorical vignettes swirling around the central couple. Delicate linework, lush florals, and metallic silver accents give the image a shimmering depth that perfectly echoes the movie’s dreamlike mood. It’s one of the definitive pieces of 1970s Japanese poster art.

This poster is in excellent condition. Please refer to the imagery (both front and back) as this is the exact poster that is for sale.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

K261