Benkei-Japanese-painting-screen-

This scene describesone of the events relating to the founding of the Kamakura shogunate (1185–1333) as outlined in the important historical novel the Heike Monogatari(The Tale of the Heike (Taira) Clan) written between 1202 and 1221. This novel deals with the short rule of the Taira family after they had ousted the Fujiwara family from its dominant position at court and defeated their rivals, the Minamoto family. Four great families, the Taira, the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Tachibana, had dominated court politics since the Heian period (794–1185) when descendants of sovereigns had been cut off from the imperial line and given surnames as a means of limiting succession disputes. By the 12th century a branch of the Minamoto family had established a military hegemony in eastern Japan, but by 1160 the Minamoto leader Yoshitomo was killed and the Taira ruled. The Taira also managed to infiltrate the court nobility enthroning their emperorAntoku in 1180. However, in their thrust for power they had neglected to eliminate the sons of Yoshitomo: Yoritomo, Yoshitsune and Noriyori. This proved their undoing for in 1180 Yoritomo, with Yoshitsune as his general, mounted a full-scale rebellion against the Taira and in the five year Taira-Minamoto War managed to defeat them and establish a military government at Kamakura, known as the Kamakura shogunate.

After the victory of the Minamoto forces Yoshitsune’s popularity bred jealousy in the mind of his elder brother who devised a plan to have him assassinated. Pursued by his brother’s forces, Yoshitsune fled north accompanied by his loyal retainer Benkei. However, in 1189 Yoritomo’s forces finally caught up with Yoshitsune and in the ensuing battle Benkei was killed and Yoshitsune performed ritual suicide, or seppuku.The relationship between Benkei and Yoshitsune is legendary with Yoshitsune characterised as the quintessential Japanese tragic hero and Benkei seen as his steadfastly loyal and honest follower.

Part of the mystique surrounding Yoshitsune and Benkei relates to their first meeting. Benkei had been raised in a monastery as the son of a monk. His propensity was however, for violent activity. He grew to be of giant size and strength, and when he moved to the capital Kyoto he formed a plan to steal 1000 swords. On his final outing to complete this aim he met the young Yoshitsune. With the intention of stealing his weapon Benkei attacked him but was no match for his opponent’s inspired ability with the sword. Defeated, Benkei swore allegiance to Yoshitsune and his loyalty and courage became legendary.

During the Edo period (1600–1868) these events formed the basis of popular historical fiction and theatrical drama, and were the source for many of the subjects of warrior paintings known as musha-e. This musha-e painting depicts Benkei’s last standas he attempts to ward of arrows in order to protect his master and allow Yoshitsune time to honourably commit seppuku rather than be captured and killed by Yoritomo’s forces.