This is an original Japanese poster printed in 1973 by Toho for the first release of Lady Snowblood (修羅雪姫), the iconic jidaigeki revenge film directed by Toshiya Fujita (藤田敏八) and based on the manga by Kazuo Koike & Kazuo Kamimura (小池一夫・上村一夫). The film stars Meiko Kaji (梶芽衣子) with Toshio Kurosawa (黒沢年男), Masaaki Daimon (大門正明), and Eiji Okada (岡田英次). A cult touchstone, Lady Snowblood helped define modern screen vengeance—its snow‑garden duel, operatic violence, and icy poise profoundly influenced Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill (visual homage and narrative structure). Kaji’s recordings—“Shura no Hana / The Flower of Carnage” (the Lady Snowblood theme) and “Urami Bushi” (from Female Convict Scorpion)—were used on the Kill Bill soundtracks, cementing her status as an international cult icon whose voice and presence resonate far beyond Japan.
Printed for the film’s initial theatrical run, this scarce original B2 (半裁) poster is highly prized—one of the most sought‑after 1970s Japanese cult titles and a centerpiece for collectors of Meiko Kaji, Koike/Kamimura adaptations, and Toho’s golden‑age genre cinema.
Why this example is extraordinary (rarity & market)
The Lady Snowblood B2 appears only sporadically on the market and is avidly pursued across film‑poster, manga‑adaptation, and soundtrack collecting communities. Demand has surged in recent years thanks to continuing global discovery of Kaji’s films and music. This sheet additionally carries period theatre routing notation on the verso, enhancing provenance and historical interest.
Poster design
A stark portrait of the kimono‑clad avenger raises a concealed blade; the radiating spokes of a black umbrella slash across the foreground like shrapnel. Scattered white/yellow blossoms punctuate the night field. The colossal scarlet brush‑stroke title 「修羅雪姫」 runs vertically (furigana しゅらゆきひめ in red), with crisp cast/credit blocks including 岡田英次 / 大門正明 / 黒沢年男. At lower left sits the Toho roundel (東宝); a green bracketed legend 「カラー作品」 affirms the colour release. The image captures the film’s icy lyricism—grace balanced with mortal intent.
Condition
Very Good to Excellent overall with ONE LOCALISED AREA OF DAMAGE: theatre‑used and unrestored; old folds (one vertical, one horizontal) with light intersection stress. The only notable defect is a creased/abraded patch in the kimono field (see close‑ups); this area was reinforced on the reverse with tape.
Handwritten theatre notation appears beside the repair on the verso and reads:
「久慈市新町五一〇 久慈新映館 御中」 → “To Kuji Shin‑Eikan (cinema), 510 Shinmachi, Kuji City (attn. theatre office).”
This is typical routing information for exhibition materials.
Edges and corners are otherwise clean; colours remain vivid and the paper is strong. When framed, the sheet will present superbly, with the localized wear largely receding in display. Please review all provided front‑and‑back photos—the images show the exact poster offered.
It is over 52 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most in‑demand Japanese cult posters—uniting Meiko Kaji’s legendary screen presence with the music and imagery that continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences worldwide.
