Ushiwakamaru, Son of Distinguished Family and Later Iyo-no-kami Minamoto Yoshitsune and Saitō Musashibō Benkei

Date:: October 1878
Medium:: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Format:: Oban
Dimensions:: 36.2 × 24 cm
Source:: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Typical Price

Fine impression of warrior subject: $1,000–$5,000
Good condition warrior print: $400–$1,500
Later impression: $200–$600

Description

"Ushiwakamaru and Saitō Musashibō Benkei" (October 1878) depicts the legendary encounter on the Gojō Bridge, here presented as a formal portrait of both figures rather than a scene of active combat—allowing Yoshitoshi to characterize the two through bearing and expression rather than action. The young Ushiwakamaru (later the warrior-general Yoshitsune) stands with the casual confidence of a martial prodigy, while the massive Benkei radiates the powerful loyalty that would define his legendary devotion to his new master. The print captures the moment of recognizing in each other an equal and a partner.

More Prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Shunkan Watching Enviously from Kikai Island as Yasuyori Returns to the Capitol after Being Unexpectedly Pardoned (Shunkan sozu Kikaigashima ni oite tamatama Yasuyori no shamen senbo kito no zu)

Looking as if She Wants to Go for a Walk: The Fashion of a Married Woman of the Meiji Era (Yūho ga shitasō, Meiji nenkan saikun no fūzoku), from the series Thirty-two Appearances of Fashion (Fūzoku sanjūni sō)

Slovenly (Shidaranasaso), from the series "Thirty-two Aspects of Women (Fuzoku sanjuniso)"

1888

Color woodblock print; oban

Four PM, from the series "Twenty-Four Hours in Shinbashi and Yanagibashi"

n.d.

Color woodblock print

More Temples & Shrines Prints

Fushimi Inari Temple

伏見稲荷

Woodblock print

The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in the Snow (Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki), from the series "Famous Places in the Eastern Capital (Toto meisho)"

c. 1832/38

Color woodblock print; oban

Temple with lanterns

Woodblock print

A Section of the Byodo Temple at Uji (Uji Byodoin no ichibu), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series (Tabi miyage dai nishu)"

Uji Byodoin no ichibu

1921

Color woodblock print; oban

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Meisho-e: Famous-Place Prints Japanese Ghost and Yōkai Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

Ushiwakamaru, Son of Distinguished Family and Later Iyo-no-kami Minamoto Yoshitsune and Saitō Musashibō Benkei was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in October 1878.

Ushiwakamaru, Son of Distinguished Family and Later Iyo-no-kami Minamoto Yoshitsune and Saitō Musashibō Benkei depicts temples & shrines, warriors, and daily life.

Ushiwakamaru, Son of Distinguished Family and Later Iyo-no-kami Minamoto Yoshitsune and Saitō Musashibō Benkei measures 36.2 × 24 cm (Oban format).