“Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell” (子連れ狼 地獄へ行くぞ！大五郎), 1974 Japanese STB Tatekan Poster, STB Size (c. 51 × 145 cm) O591
This is an original Japanese STB tatekan (two‑panel standing) poster printed in 1974 for the Japanese theatrical release of Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell (子連れ狼 地獄へ行くぞ！大五郎), the final film in the celebrated Lone Wolf and Cub cycle—directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda and headlined by Tomisaburō Wakayama as the legendary assassin‑father Ogami Ittō.
Film background
Few genre series have the instant recognizability—or the collector devotion—of Lone Wolf and Cub. Born from Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima’s blockbuster manga (a major hit in Japan from the moment it debuted), the story’s “wandering father and child through violence and fate” framework became so iconic it essentially defined a whole pop‑culture archetype.
This 1974 chapter, White Heaven in Hell, lands as the sixth and final theatrical entry: the culmination of the Wakayama film run, released by Toho and remembered especially for its snowbound spectacle—turning the baby cart into a sled and unleashing a now‑legendary ski‑assault finale that helped cement the films’ international cult reputation (especially among fans who discovered the series through exploitation/grindhouse circuits and later home‑video releases).
Poster design
This STB is a knockout piece of Japanese cinema design: a stark, wintry layout dominated by a sweeping white snowfield and silhouettes of ski‑troops carving across the slope, instantly selling the film’s signature set‑piece. Enormous brush‑stroke red title calligraphy 「子連れ狼」 explodes down the center with aggressive, hand‑painted energy, while the bold blue vertical panel with yellow lettering 「地獄へ行くぞ！大五郎」 adds a classic, high‑contrast “tatekan” graphic punch. Two inset action stills reinforce the snow battle and baby‑cart chase, and the lower portrait pairing of Ogami Ittō and Daigorō delivers the series’ emotional core in one glance—stoic determination above, the child’s unblinking stare beneath.
Rarity and condition
Japanese STB tatekan posters were produced for theatrical display in far smaller quantities than standard sizes, and they’re notoriously hard to source today—especially for top‑tier cult properties like Lone Wolf and Cub. This example is particularly desirable as it’s very rare to find in the STB format and presents in excellent condition: strong colour, clean overall appearance, and only the expected handling evidence from original cinema use and age (light fold/crease lines and minor edge wear visible in the photos, plus typical storage wear on the reverse). Overall it displays beautifully and is a standout format for framing thanks to the dramatic tall composition. Please inspect the photos carefully for a detailed view of condition.
It is over 50 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
