“The Human Condition: A Soldier’s Prayer” (人間の條件 完結篇), Original Japanese STB Tatekan Movie Poster 1961, Shochiku First Release, Tatekan Size (c.51 × 146 cm) O95

This is an original Japanese STB tatekan poster printed in 1961 for the first domestic theatrical release of The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer (人間の條件 完結篇), directed by Masaki Kobayashi and distributed by Shochiku. Scarce even in Japan, tatekan (vertical “standing-board”) posters were printed in small numbers for outdoor display and seldom survived.

Film background
The epic conclusion to Kobayashi’s adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s novel, A Soldier’s Prayer follows Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) across the collapsing Manchurian front and into a desperate trek home. Comprising Part 5 “Death’s Escape” (死の脱出) and Part 6 “Wanderings on the Plains” (曠野の彷徨), the final chapter is a towering humanist war film and one of post-war Japanese cinema’s defining achievements, with Michiyo Aratama and a powerful ensemble cast.

Poster design
A commanding portrait of Nakadai as Kaji crowns the sheet, his field cap and frost-bitten beard rendered in painterly detail. To the right, vertical vignette portraits preview key characters, while a wintry landscape scene of Kaji trudging through the snow anchors the base beside the bold stacked title 「人間の條件」 and the call-out 「完結篇」. Shochiku credits along the lower margin confirm domestic first issue. The elongated tatekan format gives this piece exceptional presence.

Condition
Excellent. Strong colours and a clean, highly presentable sheet. Please review the provided imagery of the exact poster for sale.

It is over 64 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.