“High and Low” (天国と地獄) — Framed pair of original Japanese first‑release flyer & magazine ad for Kurosawa’s 1963 kidnapping thriller — Piece sizes c. 21 × 13.8 cm (green) & 25.8 × 18 cm (black‑and‑white) • Overall framed size c. 31 × 40 cm

“High and Low” (天国と地獄) — Framed pair of original Japanese first‑release flyer & magazine ad for Kurosawa’s 1963 kidnapping thriller — Piece sizes c. 21 × 13.8 cm (green) & 25.8 × 18 cm (black‑and‑white) • Overall framed size c. 31 × 40 cm

Scarce framed pair (c. 60 years old) of original Japanese first‑release paper for Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime masterpiece High and Low (based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom): one smaller green flyer and one larger black‑and‑white magazine advertisement clipping.

Both pieces have now been professionally mounted together in a modern black frame with an off‑white mount and UV‑protective acrylic glazing (lighter and safer than glass). Sold framed as shown—ready to hang and gift.

Size (unframed paper, approx.):
• Smaller green flyer: c. 21 × 13.8 cm (approx. 8.27 × 5.43 in)
• Larger black‑and‑white magazine page: c. 25.8 × 18 cm (approx. 10.16 × 7.09 in, B5‑type)
• Issued for Toho Co., Ltd., Japan

Why this matters

High and Low is widely regarded as one of the greatest crime films ever made—a searing portrait of post‑war corporate Japan, class division, and moral responsibility. First‑release Japanese paper for this title is keenly sought by Kurosawa collectors; having both the theatrical flyer and a period magazine advertisement gives a layered snapshot of how the film was sold to contemporary audiences. Framed together, they make a striking, ready‑to‑hang display piece.

About this piece

Format: two original Japanese promotional pieces for the 1963 first release, now double‑mounted in a single frame.

• Piece A – Smaller green flyer: two‑sided handbill (chirashi‑style), compact A5/B6‑type size, distributed at cinemas. Front promotes High and Low in a vivid green design; reverse advertises the Toho musical‑comedy Yasugibushi Dōchū (安来ぶし道中).

• Piece B – Larger black‑and‑white magazine clipping: full B5‑type page cut from a contemporary film magazine. Front carries a dramatic monochrome High and Low layout; verso features a companion design for the romantic drama Kaze no Shisen (風の視線).

Design & iconography

On the smaller green flyer, a huge close‑up of Toshiro Mifune as industrialist Gondo dominates the left, his face carved in deep shadow. Opposite him, the kidnapper’s anxious profile rises from the bottom edge, while the tiny figure of the kidnapped boy—seen from behind in a striped shirt—stands isolated in the center. A vertical block of copy slices down the right, and along the bottom runs a panoramic photograph of Yokohama’s industrial waterfront punctuated by small inset stills from the film. The whole layout is printed in rich green and white, giving the tension‑charged imagery a bold graphic punch.

The larger magazine page reprises the same basic composition in stark black‑and‑white: at the top, a band of cityscape stretches across, beneath bold brush‑script for 「天国と地獄」. Below, facing portraits of Mifune and Tatsuya Nakadai (as the dogged detective) flank the distant image of the child. Clean typographic blocks list cast and staff, giving the layout the feel of a prestige suspense “event” picture. The versos, for Yasugibushi Dōchū and Kaze no Shisen, add period charm with exuberant portraits, musical notes, and playful typography—pure late‑Shōwa design.

Translations of the main captions

Main title: 「天国と地獄」 — “Heaven and Hell” (international title: High and Low).

Tagline (flyer):
「巨匠黒沢が息をのむ迫力で描ききる話題の衝撃大作」
— “A shocking, much‑talked‑about drama, rendered with breath‑stopping power by master director Kurosawa.”

Kidnapper’s line (ad):
「貴様の子供は俺がさらった。その声が犯人だ！犬になっても、そいつを追え…」
— “‘I’ve taken your child. That voice is the criminal! Become a bloodhound if you must—hunt him down…’”

Versos:
「安来ぶし道中」(やすぎぶし どうちゅう) — Yasugibushi Dōchū (roughly, “Yasugibushi Road Trip”), a musical‑comedy salaryman romp.
「風の視線」(かぜ の しせん) — Kaze no Shisen (“The Wind’s Gaze” / “The Wind’s Line of Sight”), a romantic melodrama.

Rarity & significance

First‑release Kurosawa ephemera for High and Low seldom appears, especially in matched multi‑piece lots. The smaller green flyer represents what cinemagoers actually handled at Toho theaters; the larger magazine advertisement shows how the studio positioned the film in print media, coupled with lighter genre fare. Professionally framed together, they chart the film’s original marketing across different channels and offer strong wall presence in two complementary visual idioms.

Condition

Very good for age. Even, honest toning to paper; light handling creases and corner touches; minor edge nicks only, no large tears or losses. Magazine page shows expected trimming to the binding edge from removal; image areas remain strong on both sides. Printing is crisp with deep blacks/greens and clear text.

Both pieces are now professionally mounted in a modern black frame with off‑white mat and UV‑protective acrylic glazing. Frame and mount are clean and ready to display. Please review the photos—these are the exact pieces offered.

Details

• Country: Japan

• Year of issue: 1963 (first Japanese release)

• Piece sizes (unframed paper, approx.):

  • Smaller green flyer: c. 21 × 13.8 cm (approx. 8.27 × 5.43 in)

  • Larger black‑and‑white magazine clipping: c. 25.8 × 18 cm (approx. 10.16 × 7.09 in, B5‑type)

• Framed size: c. 31 × 40 cm overall

• Printing: Original period printings; not reproductions

• Versos: one side promotes Yasugibushi Dōchū; the other promotes Kaze no Shisen

• Glazing: UV‑protective acrylic (not glass)

• Authentication: COA included