A projector capable of displaying a moving picture image in good quality with a clear outline and few blurs includes a light source, a pseudo rectangular light flux generating device to generate a band-shaped illumination light flux from a light flux emitted from the light source, and an optically scanning device to scan with the illumination light flux emitted from the pseudo rectangular light flux generating device on an optically modulating apparatus. The projector further includes an illumination light flux shaping device to shape the illumination light flux into a desired shape of illumination light flux, the illumination light flux shaping device being in an optical path of the illumination light flux emitted from the pseudo rectangular light flux generating device.