“Kunoichi Ninpō: Kannon Biraki” (くノ一忍法 観音開き), Original Japanese Movie Poster 1976, Toei Ninja Exploitation Design, B2 Size (approx. 51 × 73 cm) — S243

An original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Kunoichi Ninpō: Kannon Biraki, directed by Takayuki Minagawa and released by Toei in 1976. Combining an imposing masked ninja, a sweeping sword blade and a dynamic photographic montage, the design captures the film’s blend of period adventure and adult exploitation cinema.

Film background

Released in February 1976, the film follows three female Iga ninja assigned to recover 30,000 ryō in stolen official funds. Their mission develops into a confrontation with a rival clan, combining espionage, elaborate ninja techniques and bawdy humour.

Maki Tachibana, Megumi Hori and Keiko Kinugasa play the central trio, with a supporting cast including Jirō Okazaki, Akira Shioji and Carrousel Maki. The screenplay was written by Isao Matsumoto and Masahiro Shimura.

The production belongs to the strand of 1970s Japanese popular cinema that adapted familiar historical-adventure conventions for adult audiences, bringing theatrical spectacle and irreverence to the ninja genre.

Poster design

A closely cropped portrait of a masked swordsman fills the upper background, his eyes framed above a blade running diagonally across the composition. Below, the female ninja appear in acrobatic poses, their red-and-white costumes standing out against the predominantly black setting.

Large pale-pink brush lettering sweeps across the lower section, balanced by the turquoise subtitle and orange promotional copy at the right. A narrow pink border encloses the design, while the Toei emblem occupies the upper-left corner.

The combination of dramatic scale, overlapping photographs and contrasting colours gives the poster considerable visual impact. It is a distinctive example of the direct, provocative advertising associated with Toei’s adult genre productions of the period.

Condition

Excellent condition, with light handling creases and age-related wear around the edges and corners. Small areas of wear are visible at the upper corners.

The principal imagery and coloured lettering retain strong definition. Please refer to the accompanying photographs for a detailed view of the condition.

This is an original vintage Japanese cinema poster, not a modern reproduction.

Approximately 50 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

Stock reference: S243