Collector’s Corner: Film Posters of Akira Kurosawa

by Pierre Vudrag on Monday, March 9, 2015

Making over 30 films in a career that spanned over 50 years, director, Akira Kurosawa (March 23, 1910 – September 6, 1998) is often regarded as one of the most influential Japanese filmmakers in the history of cinema.  Many of Kurosawa’s films have been remade including such classics as the Seven Samurai (which was remade as American western, The Magnificent Seven),  Yojimbo (aka The Bodyguard) which was re-made by Sergio Leone in A Fistful of Dollars.  Other classics include Rashomon, KagemushaThrone of Blood, The Hidden Fortress (major influences on George Lucas’ original Star Wars), and High and Low.  Kurosawa’s original Japanese film posters (also known as the country of origins posters are extremely scarce and very rare.  And perhaps none more so than 1954’s Seven Samurai.

 

Seven Samurai (Toho, 1954) Japanese B3 – This exceedingly rare country of origin Japanese B3 “roadshow” style of the “Seven Samurai,” Kurosawa’s most acclaimed film, is the hardest to find of any of his works. This is a rare opportunity to own a true piece of important cinematic history.

 

Other country of origins posters include:

Kagemusha (20th Century Fox, 1980) Japanese B2
This “Style A” poster of Kurosawa’s masterpiece includes a very powerful image of Tatsuya Nakadai dressed in full warlord gear. The film was produced by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, who convinced 20th Century Fox to finance the film.

Ran (Toho, 1985) Japanese B2
Kagemusha and Ran, are often considered to be among Kurosawa’s best works, uncharacteristically, Kurosawa often would select Ran as his best film.  As Kurasawa’s film were shown around the world, here are some great examples of posters designed in foreign territories.

Throne of Blood (Toho, 1957) Polish A1
Designed by artist Wojciech Wenzel, this is the original 1957 release of the the film in Poland.

Throne of Blood (Toho, 1957) German A1
Throne of Blood was also known as “Castle Of The Spider’s Web”. This 1968 German poster, designed by Hans Hillmann, has a fabulous image of Toshiro Mifune in Kurosawa’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth set in medieval Japan.

Before home videos hit the market, Kurasawa’s films were often re-released into theatres.  Here are some great posters created for the 1976 releases of Sanjuro and Yojimbo, both of which feature great images of star Toshiro Mifune.

Sanjuro (Toho, R-1976) Japanese B2

Yojimbo (Toho, R-1976) Japanese B2

 

 

Artist are continously drawn to Kurasawa’s films and have paid tribute to the director with re-imaginations of his film posters such as this striking image by artist Casey Callender to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece the Seven Samurai.  This poster is the variant  printing as is part of a limited edition print run of 150 copies.  Also see the standard limited edition print.

 

See all of Akira Kurosawa film posters available on Limited Runs.

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