{"product_id":"star-wars-1977-original-japanese-b0-eki-bari-billboard-poster-art-by-seito-holy-grail-rarity-massive-format-first-japanese-release-campaign-1978-c-99-157-cm-39-62-in-g-copy","title":"“STAR WARS” (1982) – GIANT JAPANESE TWO-SHEET STATION-FRONT “EKI-MAE” BILLBOARD – APPROX. 9× B2 – TOM JUNG","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eHoly Grail Rarity | Largest Japanese Star Wars Billboard Format Known to Us | Approx. 9× B2 \/ 2.27× B0 | Unused, Never Pasted | Japanese-Dubbed 1982 Re-Release | Tom Jung Artwork | Linen-Backed by Fourth Cone Restoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA monumental, original Japanese \u003cstrong\u003egiant two-sheet station-front billboard poster\u003c\/strong\u003e for the \u003cstrong\u003e1982 Japanese-dubbed re-release of Star Wars\u003c\/strong\u003e, featuring \u003cstrong\u003eTom Jung’s legendary Style “A” artwork\u003c\/strong\u003e at extraordinary scale. Despite its monumental dimensions, it remains surprisingly practical to display for a serious collector, gallery, or institution — provided, of course, there is sufficient wall space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e the standard Japanese B2 poster. It is also \u003cstrong\u003enot simply the already rare B0 eki-bari station-poster format\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a substantially larger, two-sheet \u003cstrong\u003eeki-mae \/ station-front public display billboard\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cstrong\u003e157.5 × 215.9 cm \/ 62 × 85 in\u003c\/strong\u003e when assembled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn scale, this is roughly equivalent to \u003cstrong\u003enine standard Japanese B2 posters\u003c\/strong\u003e — essentially a \u003cstrong\u003ethree-by-three wall of B2s\u003c\/strong\u003e — and more than \u003cstrong\u003edouble the area of a standard Japanese B0\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors, this is a true top-tier Japanese Star Wars grail: \u003cstrong\u003ean unused, never-pasted station-front advertising survivor\u003c\/strong\u003e, sourced from \u003cstrong\u003eNagasaki\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e駅前分 \/ eki-mae allocation\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning station-front use or station-front allocation. The verso has “\u003cstrong\u003eスター・ウォーズ” stamped. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo our knowledge, this is \u003cstrong\u003ethe largest format Japanese Star Wars poster we have ever encountered\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the largest documented Japanese Star Wars billboard size we are aware of having come to market. One other example has been identified by us in the highly regarded \u003cstrong\u003eStarWarsMoviePoster.com\u003c\/strong\u003e reference archive, where it is retained as an archived collection example and is \u003cstrong\u003enot offered for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are not aware of this giant station-front format having previously surfaced at a prominent film-poster auction or being publicly offered for sale elsewhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eLinen-Backed by Fourth Cone Restoration - entire process is documented in a long and short form video YOUTUBE LINK HERE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDate \u0026amp; Japanese Theatrical Context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStar Wars first opened theatrically in Japan in \u003cstrong\u003e1978\u003c\/strong\u003e, following its original U.S. release in 1977. This poster belongs to the later \u003cstrong\u003e1982 Japanese-dubbed re-release campaign\u003c\/strong\u003e, a historically important moment in the film’s Japanese exhibition history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe poster promotes the film as \u003cstrong\u003eスター・ウォーズ 日本語版\u003c\/strong\u003e — the \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese-language version\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is significant because the original Japanese theatrical release was presented for Japanese audiences before this dubbed re-release campaign. The 1982 poster therefore represents the campaign that brought Star Wars back to Japanese cinemas with the major selling point of a \u003cstrong\u003efully Japanese-dubbed presentation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bold orange text blocks at lower left advertise the \u003cstrong\u003e日本語版 \/ Japanese version\u003c\/strong\u003e, making this poster not only a spectacular display piece, but also a key artifact from the localization history of Star Wars in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Film \u0026amp; Its Place in Cinema History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten and directed by \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Lucas\u003c\/strong\u003e, Star Wars became one of the most influential science-fiction and space-opera films ever made. Its impact on modern cinema, visual effects, franchise filmmaking, merchandising, and global fan culture is almost impossible to overstate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecades later, Star Wars remains one of the most important and recognizable entertainment properties in the world. Original vintage advertising material for the film is already intensely collected; giant-format Japanese public-display paper sits in a different category altogether.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example combines several of the most desirable elements in Star Wars poster collecting:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTom Jung’s iconic artwork\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese theatrical campaign history\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1982 Japanese-dubbed release significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMassive two-sheet station-front format\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnused, never-pasted survival\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNagasaki provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessional linen backing by Fourth Cone Restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnly one other publicly identified archive example known to us\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDesign Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTom Jung’s Style “A” artwork is one of the most famous and collectible movie-poster images ever created. On this giant Japanese billboard, the image has enormous visual impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIconic elements visible on the sheet include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe English tagline “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”\u003c\/strong\u003e at the upper left\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLuke Skywalker raising his lightsaber\u003c\/strong\u003e in a brilliant burst of light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrincess Leia in the foreground\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarth Vader’s helmet looming in the background\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Death Star at upper left\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eX-wings racing across the image\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC-3PO and R2-D2 at lower right\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge blue-gradient STAR WARS logo\u003c\/strong\u003e across the lower image\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese title スター・ウォーズ\u003c\/strong\u003e printed below in red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrange 日本語版 blocks\u003c\/strong\u003e advertising the Japanese-language dubbed version\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese cast and credits block\u003c\/strong\u003e at lower right\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e20th Century Fox, Shochiku, and Eirin approval emblems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOscar statuette and awards callout\u003c\/strong\u003e at lower left\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout the Oscar callout: period advertising often promoted Star Wars with a “seven awards” message. More precisely, at the 50th Academy Awards, Star Wars won \u003cstrong\u003esix competitive Oscars\u003c\/strong\u003e, plus a \u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Achievement Award\u003c\/strong\u003e for Benjamin Burtt Jr.’s alien, creature, and robot voices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Giant Two-Sheet Eki-Mae \/ Station-Front Billboard Format and Why It’s So Hard to Find\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapan’s standard theatrical poster size is \u003cstrong\u003eB2\u003c\/strong\u003e, and standard B2 Star Wars posters were made for ordinary cinema advertising and distribution. Larger public-display formats are dramatically rarer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven the Japanese \u003cstrong\u003eB0 \/ eki-bari station-poster format\u003c\/strong\u003e is considered elite and extremely difficult to find (less than 10 known examples). This example is larger and rarer still.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis two-sheet display measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e157.5 × 215.9 cm \/ 62 × 85 in\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9.07 times the area of a standard Japanese B2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.27 times the area of a standard Japanese B0\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes this one of the most physically impressive Japanese Star Wars posters known to us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term \u003cstrong\u003e駅前 \/ eki-mae\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly important and refers to the area in front of a station. In this context, there is strong provenance to indicate \u003cstrong\u003estation-front allocation or use\u003c\/strong\u003e, supporting the poster’s identity as a public-facing station-front advertising piece rather than ordinary theater-lobby paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese posters were \u003cstrong\u003eworking advertising objects\u003c\/strong\u003e. They were intended to be pasted directly to designated public display surfaces — station-front boards, walls, or billboard spaces — where they would be seen by commuters and passersby. Once pasted, a poster of this size and type would have been extremely difficult, if not practically impossible, to remove intact in collectible condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is what makes this example so extraordinary. It appears to have survived because it was \u003cstrong\u003enever pasted or displayed\u003c\/strong\u003e, remaining folded and stored for decades before discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWith no official print records currently known, we will not claim an exact print run — but all evidence points to an extraordinarily small production. Standard Japanese B2 theatrical posters for a major nationwide film campaign could exist in very large numbers, potentially in the tens of thousands. This giant two-sheet eki-mae \/ station-front billboard was in a completely different category: a site-specific public advertising piece made for designated station-front placements, not for ordinary cinema display. Given its 62 × 85 in scale, two-sheet construction, thick direct-paste stock, we believe production was likely measured in the low tens of complete sets, if that. Survival would have been lower still: once pasted to a station-front billboard, an example of this type would have been virtually impossible to remove intact. This unused, never-pasted survivor may represent one of the only chances collectors will ever have to own this format.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist: Tom Jung\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTom Jung\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most important poster artists associated with the original Star Wars campaign. His Style “A” artwork helped define the mythic visual identity of the film: Luke raising the lightsaber, Leia at his side, Vader looming behind, and the galaxy opening around them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Japanese 1982 dubbed re-release billboard uses that legendary composition but presents it at an almost overwhelming scale. The result is not merely a poster, but a massive public-display version of one of the most recognizable images in modern cinema history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Star Wars collectors, Tom Jung artwork remains one of the most desirable visual links to the original film’s global release history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance \u0026amp; Known Examples\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example was \u003cstrong\u003esourced in Nagasaki, Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore linen backing, the reverse carried important operational markings, including a reverse title stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly one other example has been identified by us in a public reference archive: the archived example held by \u003cstrong\u003eStarWarsMoviePoster.com\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the format is catalogued as a Japanese Star Wars Style “A” Awards Re-release Billboard \/ B0 size. That example is retained as a collection archive example and is \u003cstrong\u003enot offered for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo our knowledge, this is \u003cstrong\u003ethe only currently available example\u003c\/strong\u003e of this extraordinary Japanese Star Wars station-front billboard format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall presentation: \u003cstrong\u003eNear Mint display presentation \/ museum-grade after conservation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis poster is an \u003cstrong\u003eunused survivor\u003c\/strong\u003e. It was \u003cstrong\u003enever pasted\u003c\/strong\u003e, never installed on a station-front billboard, and survived folded in storage for decades before discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe poster has now been professionally conserved and \u003cstrong\u003elinen-backed by Fourth Cone Restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving it a premium display presentation and ensuring long-term stability.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eLinen-Backed by Fourth Cone Restoration - entire process is documented in a long and short form video YOUTUBE LINK HERE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConservation summary:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessional linen backing by Fourth Cone Restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlattening and stabilization of the original two-sheet poster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreservation of an unused, never-pasted survivor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal presentation now reads as near mint for display\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFourth Cone Restoration treatment documentation\/certificate included with the sale \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthenticity: \u003cstrong\u003eOriginal 1982 Japanese theatrical station-front billboard poster — not a reproduction, not a modern reprint.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocumentation: \u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included. Fourth Cone Restoration treatment documentation\/certificate included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease refer to the images provided; this is the exact poster offered. Final post-linen-backing imagery to follow. Additional imagery available on request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecification Block\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Star Wars\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1982\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese-dubbed re-release \/ 日本語版\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tom Jung Style “A”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Giant two-sheet station-front \/ eki-mae billboard display\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. \u003cstrong\u003e157.5 × 215.9 cm \/ 62 × 85 in\u003c\/strong\u003e assembled\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. \u003cstrong\u003e9.07 Japanese B2 posters by area\u003c\/strong\u003e; approx. \u003cstrong\u003e2.27× standard Japanese B0\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two sheets\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Station-front public advertising; direct-paste billboard use\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sourced from \u003cstrong\u003eNagasaki, Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eUnused survivor; never pasted; professionally linen-backed by Fourth Cone Restoration; presents as near mint for display\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnown examples:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOne other publicly identified archive example known to us; not offered for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSummary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most extraordinary Japanese Star Wars posters we have ever handled: a giant two-sheet \u003cstrong\u003e1982 Japanese-dubbed re-release station-front billboard\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cstrong\u003e62 × 85 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e when assembled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e the standard B2 poster. It is \u003cstrong\u003enot even simply the already rare B0 station-poster format\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a true \u003cstrong\u003eeki-mae \/ station-front public advertising display\u003c\/strong\u003e, roughly the size of \u003cstrong\u003enine Japanese B2 posters\u003c\/strong\u003e and more than \u003cstrong\u003edouble the area of a standard Japanese B0\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSourced from Nagasaki. It appears to have survived only because it was \u003cstrong\u003enever pasted up\u003c\/strong\u003e. Once a poster of this type was glued to a station-front billboard, removal in collectible condition would have been virtually impossible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing \u003cstrong\u003eTom Jung’s legendary Star Wars artwork\u003c\/strong\u003e and promoting the \u003cstrong\u003e1982 Japanese-dubbed theatrical campaign\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is an unused, linen-backed survivor from one of the most desirable Star Wars poster categories: \u003cstrong\u003egiant-format Japanese public-display paper\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA museum-level Japanese Star Wars billboard survivor — enormous, unused, professionally conserved, and to our knowledge the only example currently available to collectors.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Please note the price is fixed for this item. It is not included in any of our periodic sales (e.g. Black Friday)!*\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56982642819450,"sku":null,"price":48000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/BE9A4731-978C-411D-A6DB-079FCB1E8DD8.jpg?v=1784589489","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/star-wars-1977-original-japanese-b0-eki-bari-billboard-poster-art-by-seito-holy-grail-rarity-massive-format-first-japanese-release-campaign-1978-c-99-157-cm-39-62-in-g-copy","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}