Minamoto (Genji)—
Musashibō Benkei
武蔵坊弁慶
“The Warrior Monk”
birth unknown–1189
- Rank / office
- Retainer of Yoshitsune
- Domain / base
- —
- Battles in 3D
- 1 battle
Later imagined depiction · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A warrior monk of prodigious strength, said to have been a monk of Mount Hiei. Legend has him challenge Yoshitsune on the Gojō bridge, lose, and follow him for the rest of his life as his foremost retainer. He supported Yoshitsune's flight from the capital and to Ōshū, and at the end at Koromogawa left the legend of "Benkei's standing death," dying on his feet with his body full of arrows. Much of his story is the colouring of later tales.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 1184
Battle of Ichi-no-Tani
The warrior monk who crossed the mountains with Yoshitsune. He led the plunge and burst into the Taira headquarters swinging his halberd.
Ichi-no-Tani, Settsu Province 70 troops Watch in 3D › - 1185Bunji 1
Following the Flight from the Capital
Followed Yoshitsune, now at odds with Yoritomo, to the west and on to Ōshū.
- 1189Bunji 5
The Standing Death at Koromogawa
Protected his lord at the Koromogawa residence and is said to have died standing, riddled with arrows.
