“Samurai Banners” (風林火山 / Fūrin Kazan), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1969, B2 Size (c. 51 × 73 cm) ZA1270

An original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai Banners, produced by Mifune Productions and released in Japan by Toho in 1969. Adapted from Yasushi Inoue’s historical novel, the film stars Toshirō Mifune as Yamamoto Kansuke, the military strategist who rose through the ranks of the Takeda clan.

In Excellent condition, with the scarlet title and the glossy black of Mifune’s helmet standing out against the pale blue sky.

Film background

In sixteenth-century Japan, Kansuke enters the service of Takeda Shingen (Kinnosuke Nakamura) and urges him to invade neighbouring Suwa. Victory binds Kansuke’s fate to that of Princess Yufu (Yoshiko Sakuma), the defeated lord’s daughter, who bears Shingen a son. The campaign culminates at Kawanakajima, where the Takeda army faces Uesugi Kenshin (Yūjirō Ishihara).

Poster design

Mifune’s helmeted portrait fills the centre, its sweeping black horns framing the three faces above. Below him, mounted warriors ride towards the viewer, their banners rising against a bank of white dust. Four red brush characters descend along the left edge. They mean “wind, forest, fire, mountain” and recall the passage from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War carried on Shingen’s battle standard.

The red publicity line on the right reads
「日本映画の宿願ここに成る！　未曽有の豪華娯楽巨篇！」
“Japanese cinema’s long-held ambition is realised at last! A lavish epic on an unprecedented scale!”

Condition

Excellent overall. Please review the front and reverse photographs for the full condition.

An original vintage Japanese theatrical poster from Toho’s 1969 first release.
Over 57 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.