“Children Hand in Hand” (手をつなぐ子ら), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1963, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA400

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1963 for the first Japanese theatrical release of Children Hand in Hand (手をつなぐ子ら), directed by Susumu Hani and distributed by Daiei. A semi‑documentary drama focusing on schoolchildren and their teachers, the film is often cited as an early landmark of the Japanese New Wave, blending observational realism with a quiet, humanist touch.

Film background

Set in a small primary school, the story follows a new teacher as he navigates the daily challenges of the classroom—discipline, friendship conflicts, and the differing expectations of children and adults. Hani, who came from a documentary background, uses non‑professional child actors and location shooting to capture the rhythms of everyday life, crafting a portrait of post‑war Japanese childhood that feels both specific and universal. The film gently critiques rigid educational practices while affirming the importance of empathy and communication between generations.

Poster design

The B2 artwork is wonderfully understated, reflecting the film’s tone. Against a predominantly off‑white background, the title 「手をつなぐ子ら」 is rendered in bold, brushy black characters across the top, surrounded by finely printed cast and staff credits. The lower half is occupied by a naïve, charcoal‑style illustration: a tall, angular adult figure—briefcase in hand—stands to the right, while two children hold hands and wave at him from the left, their bodies reduced to expressive stick forms. Sparse telephone poles and a single patch of soft blue clouds break the empty horizon, evoking both the openness of childhood and the distance that can exist between children and adults. The minimal colour palette and rough line work give the poster a poetic, almost picture‑book feel.

Artwork by Fumito Hirai (平井 文人) — signed “fumito h” at lower‑right (see photo); Kyoto‑based illustrator/graphic designer active in the 1960s–70s, contributor to Expo ’70’s EXPO Guide.

This poster is in very good / excellent condition (please refer to the imagery of the exact poster for sale).

It is over 60 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint. Certificate of Authenticity included.