Shobutsu Maru (the young Benkei) Holding a Bamboo Pole with Shinto Strips and Protruding Weapons
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Art of Japan
Description
Shobutsu Maru, another of the youthful appellations of the monk-warrior Benkei, is shown holding a bamboo pole decorated with shide (Shinto paper streamers) and bristling with various weapons — a characteristically eccentric image of spiritual-martial preparation. The combination of Shinto ritual elements (the purification streamers) with embedded swords and tools speaks to Benkei's ambiguous position between religious vocation and warrior identity. Kuniyoshi's depictions of the young Benkei consistently emphasize this productive contradiction.
More Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Woman as the Hero Taisō in Palanquin Holding a Pipe
c. 1830
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
Poem by Abe no Nakamaro, from an untitled series of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
More Warriors Prints
Benkei Bridge
Woodblock print
Saishin, from the series "Fashionable Women as the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin (Fuzoku onna Suikoden, ippyakuhachinin no uchi)"
c. 1828/30
Color woodblock print; surimono
Herakles, Shôwa period, dated 1965?
Woodblock print
Chüshingura in Twelve Months
Woodblock print
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shobutsu Maru (the young Benkei) Holding a Bamboo Pole with Shinto Strips and Protruding Weapons was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
Shobutsu Maru (the young Benkei) Holding a Bamboo Pole with Shinto Strips and Protruding Weapons depicts warriors and trees.