Oniwaka Maru — the childhood name of the monk-warrior Musashibo Benkei — is shown as a boy brawling with the monks of Shoshazan temple in episode thirteen of a warrior series. Even at an early age, the legendary Benkei was said to be of extraordinary size and strength, and Kuniyoshi renders the young fighter with the same energy he brought to adult warriors, scaling the surrounding monks to emphasize Benkei's precocious ferocity. The subject was popular because it portrayed the origins of one of Japan's most beloved legendary figures.
Woodblock print
c. 1828/30
Color woodblock print; surimono
Woodblock print
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
#13, Oniwaka Maru (Benkei as a boy) Fighting with the Monks at the Shoshazan was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
#13, Oniwaka Maru (Benkei as a boy) Fighting with the Monks at the Shoshazan depicts warriors, children, and daily life.