[National Film Archive of Japan] Announcement of New Release of 219 Posters on the Website "Film Heritage - National Film Archive of Japan Film Materials Portal -"

The National Film Archive of Japan, in cooperation with the National Center for Art Research and in collaboration with the National Institute of Informatics, is pleased to announce the addition of new materials to the website "Film Heritage - National Film Archive of Japan Film Materials Portal -".

Following the release of film equipment (cameras and projectors) in the first phase, cinema programs in the second phase, cinema flyers in the third phase, and additional film equipment (cameras and projectors) in the fourth phase, this fifth phase features the release of posters, the stars of film promotion.

★ First large-scale online release of a film poster collection in Japan

We are releasing 219 posters from the collection of the National Film Archive of Japan on the "Film Heritage - National Film Archive of Japan Film Materials Portal -". The posters date from the 1910s to the 1950s, covering both Japanese and foreign films. In addition to posters produced by distribution companies as is common today, this release includes materials from important collections such as the former collection of the late film material collector Kyohei Misono, "Misono Collection," and the collection of Kyoko Kagawa, a representative actress of Japanese cinema.

Among the materials released this time are an extremely rare poster for "Kannon Daigoro" (1915, directed by Yaroku Kobayashi), a starring film of Matsunosuke Onoe, for which few copies remain, and a visually appealing poster for "Harold Lloyd's Girl" (1924, directed by Fred C. Newmeyer/Sam Taylor).

This is the first attempt in Japan to release film posters of such historical value online on this scale. We invite you to explore these posters that have adorned cinemas and streets from the late 19th century to the present day.

Poster for "Kannon Daigoro"

Original poster for "Kannon Daigoro," starring Matsunosuke Onoe and directed by Yaroku Kobayashi, which premiered at Chiyoda-kan in Asakusa Park in 1915. Matsunosuke Onoe will be commemorated 100 years after his death in 2026.

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