“Tokyo Olympiad” (東京オリンピック), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1965, Women’s Volleyball Design, B2 Size (c. 51 × 73 cm) ZA1263

An original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Kon Ichikawa’s Tokyo Olympiad, the official documentary of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games. Toho released the film across 260 Japanese cinemas on 20 March 1965. This first-release design features Japan’s gold-medal-winning women’s volleyball team. The lower-right corner bears the imprint “© 1965 TOHO CO., LTD. Printed in Japan.” 

In Excellent condition, with the teal title lettering, red uniforms and fine black grid of the net clearly defined.

Film background

Ichikawa used long telephoto lenses and slow motion to bring viewers close to the athletes, catching the concentration on a face before an event and the exhaustion that followed it. The volleyball photograph has particular significance for Japanese audiences. The sport made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, where Japan defeated the Soviet Union in straight sets on 23 October 1964 to win the first Olympic gold medal in women’s volleyball. 

Poster design

The photograph catches the ball high above the net. Japan’s players reach up in white jerseys bearing the red disc of the national flag, while two opposing players in red fill the foreground. The Japanese title runs vertically down the left in large teal characters outlined in white.

On the cream panel at right, Yusaku Kamekura’s emblem for the 1964 Games pairs the red sun with five gold Olympic rings. On this film poster, the words TOKYO OLYMPIAD appear beneath the rings, followed by the silhouette of a motion-picture camera and Ichikawa’s director credit. The vertical inscription at the top describes the film as follows. 

「総天然色　長篇記録映画」
“A feature-length documentary in full colour.”

Condition

Excellent overall. The volleyball photograph retains strong colour and will display particularly well framed. Please review the front and reverse photographs for the full condition.

An original vintage Japanese theatrical poster from Toho’s 1965 first release.
Over 61 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.