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Duel of the Underworld – 1963 – Original Japanese B2 Poster | Golden Age of Fuji Yakuza Cinema | 51 × 73 cm
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 10 sales
Product description
Duel of the Underworld – 1963 – Original Japanese B2 Poster
Ken Takakura in the Golden Age of Fuji Yakuza Cinema
| Offset Lithograph | 51 × 73 cm | Japan
🎬 Introduction
This original 1963 Japanese B2 poster for "Duel of the Underworld" (暗黒街最大の決斗) is a quintessential artifact from the golden era of yakuza cinema. The design is a masterful example of Showa-period film marketing, featuring a bold montage of the film’s principal cast, led by the iconic Ken Takakura. Their intense, stoic expressions dominate the upper register, immediately drawing the viewer into the film’s world of tension and intrigue. Below, a dynamic, sepia-toned street scene bursts with kinetic energy as rival gangsters charge toward confrontation, their silhouettes stark against rain-slicked Tokyo streets. The oversized, jagged red kanji title slashes diagonally across the composition, amplifying the sense of imminent violence and high-stakes drama. The overall effect is both raw and stylish, perfectly channeling the film’s themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the strict codes of the underworld.
✨ Why It Matters
"Duel of the Underworld" stands as a touchstone of early 1960s Japanese yakuza cinema, a genre that surged in popularity during the postwar years. Posters from this period, especially those featuring Ken Takakura—often called the "Clint Eastwood of Japan"—are highly coveted by collectors for their cultural resonance and graphic impact. The B2 format, prized for its display-friendly size and authentic period printing, is particularly sought after among aficionados. The poster’s design language, fusing photographic realism with bold typographic elements, reflects the crosscurrents of Japanese modernism and Western noir aesthetics that defined the era. Surviving examples in good condition are increasingly rare, making this piece a standout for collectors of Asian cinema, graphic design, and mid-century ephemera. Its visual identity helped shape not only the marketing of Japanese film but also the broader visual culture of postwar Japan.
📐 Poster Details
• Year: 1963
• Country: Japan
• Size: 51 × 73 cm
• Format: Japanese B2
• Studio / Publisher: Fuji Film (inferred)
🔎 Condition
Fold marks + small tears – frames beautifully
Please take a look a the pictures. What you see is what you get.
Please take a look a the pictures. What you see is what you get.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMulti Color, YellowMaterialPaperNumber of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight73 cmWidth51 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 10 sales