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

The National Film Archive of Japan, in cooperation with the Japan Art Research Center 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 previous releases of film equipment (cameras and projectors), cinema programs, cinema flyers, and additional film equipment, this fifth release features film posters, the centerpiece of film promotion.

★ First Large-Scale Online Release of a Film Poster Collection in Japan

We are releasing 219 posters from the National Film Archive of Japan's collection on the 'Film Heritage' portal. The posters date from the 1910s to the 1950s and include both Japanese and foreign films. The collection features items produced not only by distributors but also by cinemas themselves. It includes parts of significant collections such as the 'Misono Collection,' formerly owned by the late film material collector Kyohei Misono, and the collection of Kyoko Kagawa, one of Japan's most iconic actresses.

This release includes extremely rare posters such as the one for 'Kannon Daigoro' (1915, directed by Yaroku Kobayashi), starring Matsunosuke Onoe, of which very few copies remain, and the visually striking poster for 'Girl Shy' (1924, directed by Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor).

This is the first attempt in Japan to release such a large collection of historically significant film posters online. We invite you to view these posters that have colorfully decorated cinemas and streets from the late 19th century to the present day.

'Kannon Daigoro' Poster

An original poster from the 1915 premiere at the Chiyoda-kan in Asakusa Park for 'Kannon Daigoro,' starring Matsunosuke Onoe and directed by Yaroku Kobayashi, who will mark the 100th anniversary of his passing in 2026.