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The Strong Man Benkei Drags the Bell of Miidera to the Top of Mount Hiei
The Strong Man Benkei Drags the Bell of Miidera to the Top of Mount Hiei
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved

The Strong Man Benkei Drags the Bell of Miidera to the Top of Mount Hiei

Artist (Japanese, 1838–1912)
Dateprinted and published 1887
Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions37 x 74.6 cm (14 9/16 x 29 3/8 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of John Rossetti, Jr. in honor of Elizabeth de Sabato Swinton
Object number2002.311
Label Text2003-04-03: Toyohara Chikanobu (Japanese, 1838-1912) The Strong Man Benkei Dragging the Bell of Miidera to the Top of Mt. Hiei Printed and published 1887 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper; oban triptych Gift of John Rossetti in honor of Elizabeth de Sabato Swinton, 2002.311 Due to his wild conduct the giant Musashibo Benkei was unwelcome at Enryaku-ji, the Tendai-sect temple of the "Mountain Order" (San-mon) on Mount Hiei north-east of Kyoto. Benkei was nevertheless proud of having studied there and to have learned its magical rites. He therefore decided to show his gratitude by stealing a treasured temple bell from rival warrior-monks of the "Temple Order" (Ji-mon) branch of the Tendai-sect headquartered in the valley below, at Mii-dera (or Onjoj-ji), north-east of Otsu in Omi province. The print shows Benkei using his muscular arms and legs to drag the five-and-a half feet tall, half-ton bronze bell to the top of Mount Hiei. The bell was believed to have been made in India. It had been donated to the temple by Fujiwara Hidesato who in turn had received it from the Dragon King Ryujin as a reward for killing the monster-centipede Mukade. Benkei and the Enryaku-ji warrior-monks were very pleased but when they struck the bell it started to wail: "I want to return to Mii-dera!" (Mii-dera e yuko). In utter frustration Benkei seized the bell and threw it from the mountain top. The monks of Miidera had to beg Benkei to help carry home the bell, agreeing to pay him with the huge cauldron which they used to cook meals for all their monks. Notes:Samurai SpiritProvenanceGift of John Rossetti in Honor of Elizabeth de Sabato Swinton
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