“Toseinin Retsuden” (渡世人列伝 / Biographies of Gamblers), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1969, Noriyoshi Ohrai Artwork, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) S292

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed for the first theatrical release of Toseinin Retsuden (渡世人列伝) in 1969, featuring artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai. Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa and released by Toei, the film brings together Koji Tsuruta, Ken Takakura, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Junko Fuji, and Ryo Ikebe.

Film background

Released in Japan on 27 December 1969, Toseinin Retsuden is a period ninkyō eiga, or chivalrous yakuza film, set towards the end of the Taishō era. Its story follows a wandering gambler seeking revenge for an ambushed gang boss, drawing on the genre’s themes of loyalty, obligation, honour, and personal sacrifice. 

The ensemble brings together several of the performers most closely associated with Toei’s gangster cinema. Their collective presence is emphasised by the poster’s headline, which announces an all-star gathering of the Toei family.

Poster design

Ohrai’s illustration combines strongly modelled faces, dense black shading, and a restrained palette of cream, purple, blue, and vivid red-orange. A large portrait of Ken Takakura dominates the centre, surrounded by overlapping likenesses of the other principal stars.

At the upper left, a red-orange hand grips a sword, introducing a forceful accent above the long vertical blade. The portraits form a tightly arranged group beside it, with Junko Fuji’s face providing a quieter counterpoint in the lower right.

The Japanese title 渡世人列伝 runs vertically down the left in bold dark blue brush lettering. Small cast captions identify the actors within the composition, integrating the film’s star billing into the artwork.

The lower-right margin carries the printed credit “Illustration / Noriyoshi Ohrai”, together with his reproduced signature. The signature is printed as part of the design, not hand-signed.

About B2 posters

Japanese B2 posters, measuring approximately 51 × 73 cm, are a standard theatrical advertising format. Here, the vertical proportions accommodate both the imposing title lettering and Ohrai’s closely arranged ensemble of portraits.

Rarity and significance

This 1969 illustration design represents an early example of Noriyoshi Ohrai’s film-poster work, offering particular interest to collectors of his development as an illustrator.

Its appeal extends across Japanese poster art, Toei yakuza cinema, and the screen careers of Takakura, Tsuruta, Wakayama, Fuji, and Ikebe. The explicit illustrator credit makes Ohrai’s authorship a documented feature of the sheet itself.

Condition

Very Good+. Visible horizontal and vertical fold lines, creasing, age toning, and scattered marks, with small pinholes particularly evident around the lower-right margin. Please review the photos, including the detail image and reverse—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 56 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.