"Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968) – Original Japanese B0 2‑Sheet Billboard Poster (c. 103 × 146 cm)
座頭市喧嘩太鼓 | Daiei Studios | Starring Shintaro Katsu | Directed by Kenji Misumi
A vibrant and richly detailed original two‑sheet B0 billboard Japanese poster for Samaritan Zatoichi (座頭市喧嘩太鼓), the 19th entry in the beloved Zatoichi film series, released in 1968 and directed by master filmmaker Kenji Misumi. This huge vertical format was designed to dominate theatre exteriors, making surviving examples scarce – especially in this condition.
Shintaro Katsu once again takes up the mantle of Ichi — the blind masseur turned reluctant hero — in a tale that blends razor‑sharp swordplay with soulful reflection. Over the course of 26 feature films between 1962 and 1973 (with a final return in 1989) and a long‑running 1970s TV series, Katsu’s nuanced, human portrayal transformed Zatoichi into one of Japan’s most enduring screen icons. His Ichi is at once playful, weary, compassionate and deadly precise, and this poster captures that contradiction perfectly.
The design brims with colour and drama: Ichi is coiled and ready, cane‑sword in hand, framed by bundles of straw that echo the rustic world he wanders through. Above him, blades are drawn and emotions flare as allies and enemies clash, their faces contorted in rage and resolve. The richly costumed supporting cast — gamblers, townsfolk and conflicted companions — speak to the film’s emotional depth and the high drama of late‑60s Daiei poster art. The bold, blood‑red title typography slashes down the side of the composition, giving the piece a powerful graphic punch even from a distance.
In Samaritan Zatoichi, Ichi is drawn into yet another town’s troubles after helping a man falsely accused of a crime. As always, his compassion leads inevitably to conflict, and his sword becomes the final arbiter of justice in a corrupt and unforgiving world. Misumi’s direction delivers moments of quiet grace and sudden violence, anchored by Katsu’s iconic performance and a score that pulses with tension and melancholy.
This is the first time we have been able to offer a Zatoichi billboard in this enormous B0 two‑sheet format, a standout piece for collectors of chambara cinema, fans of Shintaro Katsu’s legendary performance, or admirers of late‑1960s Japanese poster design.
It is over 54 years old!
This poster shows some signs of age, handling and light repair consistent with its original cinema use and storage, and we have taken this into account when pricing. Once framed, this billboard will display superbly.
This poster is in very good/ excellent condition for the format. Please refer carefully to the imagery (both front and back) as this is the exact poster that is for sale.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
