Ushiwaka-maru and Benkei

Artist Kiyonaga, Torii (Japanese, 1752–1815)

Publisherpublished by Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudō)

Date1784

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper

Dimensions36.8 x 24.4 cm (14 1/2 x 9 5/8 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.882

Label TextAfter escaping from the monastery at Mount Kurama, Ushiwaka(-maru) often wore a cloak over his head, like a woman, in order not to be recognized while traveling or when praying at a temple. His effeminate appearance deceived Benkei, a giant warrior-monk, on Gojo Bridge into thinking that he would be an easy victim. The popular biography Gikei-ki (early 15th cent.), which supplements earlier war chronicles, describes Ushiwaka as having "white skin, blackened teeth as well as his thinly penciled brows." Here he is shown wearing high wooden clogs, a silk costume as well as a court lady's smudged brows. 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 itin

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