{"product_id":"star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back-スター-ウォーズ-帝国の逆襲-original-japanese-movie-poster-1980-first-release-b2-size-51-73-cm-artwork-by-noriyoshi-ohrai-g268-copy-1","title":"“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (スター・ウォーズ／帝国の逆襲), Original First-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1980, Ultra-Rare Noriyoshi Ohrai Artwork, Excellent Unrestored Condition, Holy Grail, B1 Size Approx. 73 × 103 cm \/ 29 × 40.5 in","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal Japanese first-release B1 poster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, printed in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1980\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for the first Japanese theatrical release of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStar Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Japanese title: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eスター・ウォーズ／帝国の逆襲\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Measuring approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e73 × 103 cm \/ 29 × 40.5 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the Japanese B1 has \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwice the printed surface area of the standard Japanese B2 format\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, presenting Noriyoshi Ohrai’s extraordinarily detailed artwork at its intended large-display scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeaturing painted artwork by the legendary Japanese illustrator \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoriyoshi Ohrai (生賴範義)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is widely regarded as \u003cstrong\u003eone of the greatest \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e poster designs ever created\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is a landmark work of Japanese science-fiction illustration and, in this exceptionally scarce B1 format, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone of the holy-grail Japanese posters for the entire Star Wars saga\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirected by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIrvin Kershner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, produced by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGary Kurtz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and based on a story by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeorge Lucas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e expanded the scale, emotional depth and mythology of the original film. The story introduced \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYoda, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, developed the romance between Han Solo and Princess Leia, explored Luke Skywalker’s connection to the Force, and culminated in one of the most famous revelations in cinema history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStarring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker and Frank Oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Earl Jones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e providing the voice of Darth Vader, the film remains for many audiences and critics the artistic high point of the original trilogy: darker in tone, richer in character and unforgettable in atmosphere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e opened theatrically in Japan on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 28, 1980\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, distributed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20th Century Fox\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This poster belongs to that original Japanese release campaign and combines Ohrai’s spectacular painted composition with the bold typography, Japanese title treatment, credits and classification marks of the period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOhrai’s involvement with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e represents a defining moment in the history of international film-poster art. After an earlier \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e image painted by Ohrai for a Japanese science-fiction publication attracted the attention of George Lucas, the artist was commissioned to create an international campaign image for the new film. The resulting painting established Ohrai’s reputation far beyond Japan and became one of the most celebrated works of his career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough adaptations of the painting were used in selected overseas territories, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe original Japanese-language configuration remains its most culturally distinctive presentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Here, a major Hollywood film is interpreted through the discipline and visual intensity of Japanese commercial illustration at its peak. The result is neither a conventional portrait montage nor an adaptation of standard American key art, but an immersive painted universe with its own atmosphere, rhythm and narrative structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOhrai constructs the image against a deep \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egreen-black star field\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dominated by the monumental, spectral presence of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDarth Vader\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The helmet is integrated almost invisibly into the darkness, emerging gradually from the surrounding stars and green light. Vader’s immense scale gives the composition an ominous presence while allowing dozens of smaller narrative elements to unfold below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the emotional centre, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHan Solo and Princess Leia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e embrace beneath the watchful figure of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLando Calrissian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMillennium Falcon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cuts diagonally through the composition, linking the principal characters to the architecture of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCloud City\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Below them, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and a blaster-ready Luke Skywalker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e form the central foreground group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower register compresses the film’s different worlds and conflicts into a single panoramic vision. Imagery from the Imperial assault on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEcho Base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, AT-AT walkers, Rebel personnel on Hoth, a tauntaun, the Imperial probe droid, Luke’s vegetation-covered X-wing on Dagobah and the bounty hunters assembled by Darth Vader—including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoba Fett and IG-88\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—is woven into the surrounding landscape. Starships, golden trajectories and a brilliant central starburst carry the eye back into the upper field.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1 scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e that allows the full complexity of this painting to be appreciated. At \u003cstrong\u003etwice the surface area of the familiar B2\u003c\/strong\u003e, Ohrai’s brushwork, character studies, spacecraft and numerous subsidiary scenes possess a clarity and physical presence that smaller reproductions cannot convey. Viewed in person, the poster operates almost as a mural: cinematic, densely populated and visually commanding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe upper inscription reads \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「STAR WARS シリーズ第2弾！」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning “The second instalment in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e series!” At the bottom, the monumental red Japanese title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「スター・ウォーズ」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is paired with the yellow subtitle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「帝国の逆襲」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Immediately above appears the English line \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“THE STAR WARS SAGA CONTINUES”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with the small blue English \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e logo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower margin retains the identifying details expected of the original 1980 issue, including the Japanese cast and production credits, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm and Dolby Stereo markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the period copyright line and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEirin classification mark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Ohrai’s painted signature is incorporated discreetly at lower right beside the Imperial probe droid.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoriyoshi Ohrai was one of Japan’s most accomplished commercial illustrators, celebrated for his ability to compress epic narratives into a single painted image. In addition to his work for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, he created important imagery for Japanese and international films, novels, magazines and games, including celebrated work associated with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGodzilla\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e series. He received the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11th Seiun Award in the Art category in 1980\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and his original paintings and preparatory studies have since been included in major institutional retrospectives in Japan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf the Japanese posters created for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe Ohrai B1 occupies a separate category of rarity and desirability\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The standard B2 version is already highly collectible, but original B1 examples are incomparable in their rarity, and are encountered \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esubstantially\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e less frequently. This is the first example that we have ever encountered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir large size also made B1 posters more very difficult to handle and preserve. Many were displayed, damaged, folded, mounted, discarded or simply lost after their period of use. Finding an original example is \u003cstrong\u003eextremely\u003c\/strong\u003e difficult; finding one retaining strong colour and clean presentation \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewithout linen backing or restoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is considerably harder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors, the rarity lies specifically in the combination of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal 1980 Japanese printing, Japanese-language configuration, monumental B1 dimensions and original unrestored state\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. While the Ohrai painting has appeared on smaller Japanese formats, selected international posters and later licensed editions, nothing offers precisely the same combination of scale, typography and first-release Japanese context.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an important original Japanese first-release poster from one of the most culturally significant films of the modern era. It is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot a reproduction, commercial reprint or the later 2010 anniversary edition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e produced from Ohrai’s artwork. This is an original Japanese B1 printed in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1980\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, retaining its period Japanese typography, credits and legal markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eover 46 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent; unrestored.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The poster retains strong, saturated colour and presents extremely well, with only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003every minor edge wear (additional close up imagery provided)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e consistent with its age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has not been linen-backed or restored. Please review the photographs carefully—they show the exact poster offered for sale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57135127822714,"sku":null,"price":8875.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/Scanfrom2026-08-0205_58_04AM.jpg?v=1785648998","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back-%e3%82%b9%e3%82%bf%e3%83%bc-%e3%82%a6%e3%82%a9%e3%83%bc%e3%82%ba-%e5%b8%9d%e5%9b%bd%e3%81%ae%e9%80%86%e8%a5%b2-original-japanese-movie-poster-1980-first-release-b2-size-51-73-cm-artwork-by-noriyoshi-ohrai-g268-copy-1","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}