{"product_id":"lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-in-the-land-of-demons-子連れ狼-冥府魔道-original-japanese-first-release-movie-poster-1973-b2-size-51-73-cm-k247-copy","title":"\"Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance\" (子連れ狼 子を貸し腕貸しつかまつる), Original First Japanese Release Speed Poster 1972, Printed 1971, Rare Slim Format (26 × 73 cm) R7","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal Japanese speed poster printed in 1971\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for the first theatrical release of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (子連れ狼 子を貸し腕貸しつかまつる), which opened in Japan on 15 January 1972.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirected by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKenji Misumi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and starring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomisaburo Wakayama\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this was the first film in the celebrated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLone Wolf and Cub\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e series. Produced by Katsu Productions and distributed by Toho, it introduced one of the most influential father-and-son pairings in Japanese popular cinema: the disgraced executioner Ogami Ittō and his young son Daigoro.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis rare narrow-format poster measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26 × 73 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, retaining the height of a standard Japanese B2 while using roughly half its width.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe speed-poster format\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJapanese speed posters are distinctive slim-format theatrical advertisements, normally measuring approximately 25.5–26 cm across and 72.8–73 cm high. Their elongated proportions allowed bold film advertising to be displayed within narrow or otherwise restricted promotional spaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe format should not be confused with an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTB or tatekan poster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which is a much taller design traditionally formed from two vertically joined B2 sheets. A speed poster is instead approximately half the width of a single B2 poster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced for short-term promotional use, speed posters were frequently folded, pinned, taped or discarded once a film’s engagement ended. Surviving first-release examples—particularly for major cult titles—are consequently much less frequently encountered than conventional B2 theatrical posters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFilm background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBased on the landmark manga written by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKazuo Koike\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and illustrated by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGoseki Kojima\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSword of Vengeance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e follows Ogami Ittō, formerly the Shogun’s official executioner. After being framed by the rival Yagyū clan and witnessing the murder of his wife and household, Ittō rejects submission and enters the assassin’s path known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeifumadō\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—the road to hell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by his infant son Daigoro, Ittō travels through feudal Japan as the hired warrior known as Lone Wolf and Cub. The film combines formal samurai drama with sudden, highly stylized violence, establishing the visual and thematic vocabulary that would define the subsequent series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomisaburo Wakayama’s performance is central to the film’s enduring reputation. A highly accomplished martial artist, he gives Ittō an imposing physicality while maintaining the character’s disciplined stillness and emotional restraint. Daigoro is played by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkihiro Tomikawa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe film launched a six-picture series and helped redefine modern \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003echanbara\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cinema. The first two instalments were subsequently re-edited and dubbed for the international feature \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShogun Assassin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1980, bringing the imagery and mythology of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLone Wolf and Cub\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to an even wider cult audience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePoster design\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design is an exceptional example of early-1970s Japanese graphic minimalism. Most of the poster is occupied by a saturated blue field, against which the immense yellow title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e子連れ狼\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKozure Ōkami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLone Wolf and Cub\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—is arranged vertically in forceful brush-style characters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rough, irregular calligraphy appears almost carved or slashed into the blue ground. Its saturated yellow colour produces a remarkably modern contrast, ensuring that the title could be read immediately despite the poster’s unusually narrow proportions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRunning vertically along the left is the film’s subtitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e子を貸し 腕貸し つかまつる\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis may be understood approximately as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“We offer our child and our sword arm for hire,”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e encapsulating the grim professional code of the wandering assassin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe upper field also incorporates forceful publicity copy describing the protagonist as a masterless warrior and celebrated executioner, pursued by the Yagyū clan and wielding his deadly blades. The Toho emblem appears prominently at the upper right, while the names of leading actor Tomisaburo Wakayama, director Kenji Misumi and original creators Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima are integrated into the typography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower section abruptly changes visual language. A stark monochrome image shows \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWakayama as Ogami Ittō drawing his sword with Daigoro secured against his back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Diagonal brush-like speed marks cut across the pale background, lending the still photograph the kinetic force of a manga action panel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis contrast—bold colour and monumental calligraphy above, urgent black-and-white action below—creates a design that is both unmistakably cinematic and closely connected to the graphic energy of Koike and Kojima’s original manga.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower-right margin retains the period \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEirin classification number 71561\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with the printed line \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Printed in Japan © TOHO CO., LTD. 1971.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This confirms that the poster was prepared in advance of the film’s January 1972 opening.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis poster is in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003every good+ to excellent vintage condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and presents extremely well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe blue and yellow colours remain exceptionally strong, while the typography and photographic image retain excellent definition. There are minor handling creases, minor surface marks and gentle age toning visible on the verso. There is also some very light spotting toward the lower reverse, consistent with a paper artifact printed more than five decades ago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts condition is notably strong for an ephemeral speed-format theatrical poster of this age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease refer to the front, reverse and detailed photographs, which show the exact poster offered for sale. Once appropriately framed, it will display excellently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eover 50 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot a reproduction or a reprint\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57174469902714,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-08-18T190547.370.jpg?v=1787047575","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-in-the-land-of-demons-%e5%ad%90%e9%80%a3%e3%82%8c%e7%8b%bc-%e5%86%a5%e5%ba%9c%e9%ad%94%e9%81%93-original-japanese-first-release-movie-poster-1973-b2-size-51-73-cm-k247-copy","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}