Nakamura Utaemon III as Musashibo Benkei and Onoe Kikugoro III as Ushiwakamaru in the Scene of Gojo Bridge

Artist Utagawa Kunisada I 歌川国貞 (Toyokuni III 三代豊国) (Japanese, 1786–1864)

Date1830s

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban diptych

Dimensions36.4 x 50.7 cm (14 5/16 x 19 15/16 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineBequest of Charles B. Cohn in memory of Stuart P. Anderson

Terms

Object number1985.140

Label Text2003-04-03: Utagaw Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1864) Nakamura Utaemon III as Musashibo Benkei and Onoe Kikugoro III as Ushiwakamaru in the Scene of Gojo Bridge 1830s Woodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban diptych Bequest of Charles B. Cohn in memory of Stuart P. Anderson, 1985.140 The print depicts a scene from a kabuki play of the encounter between Ushiwaka and Musashibo Benkei-the giant warrior-monk who became the young lord's most faithful companion. Benkei had been forced to leave the temple of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, north-east of Kyoto, because of his violent temper; his great height and strength involved him in fights with fellow monks. Changing to an itinerant mountain-monk (yamabushi), Benkei lived the life of a robber and set himself the task of acquiring one thousand fine sword-blades from samurai who crossed the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto at night. Benkei had collected all but one sword when Ushiwaka crossed the bridge. Thinking that the young man was an easy target, he swung at him with his halberd (naginata). The tengu-taught Ushiwaka responded by waving his war-fan and then jumped into the air and disarmed Benkei by striking with the back of his famous gold-mounted sword. The artist skillfully contrasts the younger and older heroes: Ushiwaka wears a youth's high hairstyle and wooden clogs, his Minamoto-clan crest discreetly displayed on his sash. Benkei is unshaven and wears the hood of a warrior-monk, straw-sandals and under-garment decorated with his Wheel-of-the-Law crest (rimbo). He also carries seven weapons: halberd, sword, dagger, iron-spiked club, axe, sickle and rake. Notes:Samurai SpiritProvenanceBequest of Charles B. Cohn in memory of Stuart P. Anderson

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