Akira Kurosawa was of course not always a film director. In fact, inspired by his primary school arts teacher, the young Akira Kurosawa first made his mind to become a painter. He was not all that bad, either, for his work was exhibited as early as in September 1928 when the young artist was only just 18.
It was only later on (in 1936), and at least partly due to financial considerations, that Kurosawa applied to become an assistant director. Yet, despite of becoming one of the greatest artists ever to work in cinema, Kurosawa kept painting and drawing throughout his life.
This page showcases some of Kurosawa’s later work made available to me by HoriPro Inc., the company licensing the rights from Kurosawa Productions. I must apologise for the “sample” text that is written across each image, but it is there to protect these images from being copied and reproduced for financial gain, and it is also the only way that I can display them on this site.
The selection here is in no sense complete. Neither is it really what I would call a selection that perfectly exemplifies Kurosawa’s art in general. However, it should give one an idea of the style that Kurosawa used in his painting.
You used to be able to purchase these pictures in print from kurosawa-drawings.com, but as of 2012 it seems that the website has closed. Kurosawa’s paintings and drawings have also been collected into a book called Akira Kurosawa – Complete Drawings, although the book’s price tag is admittedly quite exceptional.
KAGEMUSHA — “Takatenjin at Twilight”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
KAGEMUSHA — “Takatenjin Castle: Headquarters in Distress”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
DREAMS — I Fly “My Shadow Calls Me”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
DREAMS — I Fly “Starry Sky”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
DREAMS — Sunshine Through The Rain “The Field: A Rainbow Goes Away From Me”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
RAN — “Green Field: Hidetora on the Hunting”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
RAN — “Design of a Soldier”
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
Armet
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.
RAN — Lady Kaede
© Kurosawa Production inc. Licensed exclusively by HoriPro Inc.