This is an original Japanese teaser poster, printed in 1954 for the first release of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. It is the rarest known B2-format poster for this legendary film, created as an early promotional teaser ahead of its theatrical debut. To our knowledge, this poster has never appeared in any major Western auction house, underscoring its rarity and significance.
Now over 70 years old, this piece represents an extraordinary moment in cinema history. Seven Samurai is widely regarded as the most important Japanese film ever made — a true masterpiece that revolutionized storytelling, editing, and action cinema. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, one of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time, the film continues to inspire directors and audiences across the globe.
Teaser posters, by nature, were produced in limited quantities and displayed for short periods, making them exceptionally rare today — especially in B2 format and in such outstanding condition.
We sent this poster from Tokyo to California, where it was professionally conservation linen-backed by one of the finest restoration teams in the field. Their meticulous work ensures the poster is preserved and protected for future generations.
This is a true country-of-origin collectible, deeply desirable among serious collectors of international cinema and Japanese film history. It is not a reproduction or reprint — it is an original 1954 release poster.
It is over 71 years old!
This poster is in mint condition. Please refer to the imagery as this is the exact poster that is for sale.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.