“Tokyo Olympiad” (東京オリンピック), Original Japanese Movie Poster 1965, First Release, STB Tatekan Size (51 × 145 cm) O706

This is an original Japanese STB tatekan (tall signboard-format) theatrical poster printed in 1965 for the first release of Kon Ichikawa’s Tokyo Olympiad (東京オリンピック)—the landmark official film of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and a cornerstone title for collectors of Japanese documentary cinema and modernist design.

Film background
Directed by Kon Ichikawa for Toho distribution, Tokyo Olympiad is far more than a straightforward record of results—it’s a lyrical, human-focused portrait of the Games, celebrated for its intimacy, rhythm, and expressive cinematography. The film was released theatrically in Japan on March 20, 1965, and remains one of the most historically important (and visually influential) Olympic films ever produced.

Poster design
A masterpiece of Japanese modernism: the iconic Olympic rings float across a soft, layered field of typography, anchored by a bold red sun-disc that doubles as a graphic focal point and a subtle national motif. The gigantic vertical title typography (東京オリンピック) turns the entire poster into an architectural statement, while the restrained palette—warm neutrals, black, blue, and red—keeps the composition razor-clean and incredibly frameable. Minimal, graphic, and instantly recognisable, this is the kind of design that still looks contemporary decades later.

Condition
Very Good vintage condition overall. This poster was originally folded, and over many decades the colour has transferred in areas (visible in the photos), alongside expected fold lines and age-related handling wear. Despite this, it remains a compelling, displayable piece with a fantastic design presence—especially when framed in the STB format. Please review the photos (front and back); they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 60 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.