Mushashibou Benkei

[StlnSP]

(Mushashibou Benkei's famous battle for his 1000th sword against Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Gojo bridge.)

Mushashibou Benkei was a famous Japanese folklore figure. He's depicted as a hulking Warrior-Monk who is said to be unbelievably strong, and extremely loyal.
he is also depicted carrying seven weapons on his back; along with his trademark glaive (Naginata), he's also armed with a Sword, a broad axe (Masakari), a rake (Kumade), a sickle (Nagigama), a wooden mallet (Hizuchi), a saw (Nokogiri), and an iron staff (Tetsubo).

Despite being famous for his undying loyalty, he was not always seen that way. In fact, for the first half of his life, he's called "Oniwaka" (鬼若), meaning "Demon Child", for his long teeth, wild hair, and his urge to wreak havoc. At a young age, he was sent to the care of the mountain monks, in the hopes that the buddhist teachings would set him right.

In his time with the mountain monks, he leads a very "interesting" life. Despite being able to memorize various mantras and buddhist teachings, the monks still couldn't quell his thirst for wrecking havoc, so they decided to expel him. However, Benkei does a buddhist ceremony by himself and declares himself a full-fledged monk, and decides to forcefully "exchange" his acolyte uniform for an old monk's uniform, fitting of his self declared rank. after using his religious knowledge to pressure artisans and merchants to do stuff for him, and attacking anyone who dares criticizing him,he sets himself on a personal quest: to take 1000 swords from samurais he fought.

On a more famous episode of his folklore, Benkei travels around Kyoto, looking for samurais he deemed arrogant and unworthy to fight their swords for. Being incredibly strong, he was virtually unbeatable. After collecting 999 swords, He heard the sound of a flute being played by a feminine figure in the Gojo Bridge, but, after seeing the sword the person has, he decided to fight them. this person turned out to be none other than the Japanese warlord, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The nimble warlord easily avoids his attacks and ultimately, the invincible man was easily defeated by the warlord, and thus became his loyal retainer.

One of his most famous episode that showcases his undying loyalty is in the battle of Koromogawa no tate. Minamoto no Yoshitsune was accused of betraying the Japanese Shogun at the time, who just happens to be his brother, Minamoto no Yorimoto. Even though Yoshitsune sent numerous letters explaining the situation and apologizing, his brother never budges and kept chasing him until he was surrounded in the castle. Seeing no other way out of this, Yoshitsune decided to commit seppuku, a japanese ritual suicide. Benkei decided to guard the main entrance of the castle to his master's bitter end. after he fought and killed hundreds of Yoritomo's forces, they decided that it's impossible to confront the powerful giant and decided to rain arrows upon him.

When the arrows hit him, he seems to keep standing up, as if unfazed by the rain of arrows on his body. After taking a long time to finally brace themselves with another confrontation, they found up after a closer look that Mushashibou Benkei had been died standing up.
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Despite having little to no historical accounts backing up his feats of strength, The mythology of Mushashibou Benkei's Loyalty and Honor has been one of the favorite subject of Japanese Media. From Kabuki plays to modern media, here are some stories or characters that are inspired or partly inspired by the local demon child.

1. ) The Noh play of Ataka.

Spoiler:

This theatrical play tells the story about one of Minamoto no Yoshitsune's escape from the Shogunate. He and his followers, disguised as monks, escaped to a temple called toda-ji, but is stopped by a suspicious guard.(can't wait for all the amogus references) Benkei explained that they were a group of monks trying to collect donation from another temple, and by reciting a fake subscription list that monks would usually carry, they are convinced, until they are becoming suspicious of a certain man amongst them, which really was Yoshitsune in disguise. Benkei had to beat his own master in order to not break the disguise, and they let them pass. after that, Benkei profusely apologize that he had to do such horrible things for his master.

2. ) Edward Newgate [Whitebeard] from One Piece
Spoiler:
Despite not being explicitly stated to be based on Mushashibou Benkei, Edward Newgate does share some similar attributes with him. He's a giant man wielding a giant Naginata, and he bit the dust by trying to save one of his "son" from execution, and was fired by flintlocks and meteors until he aptly died standing up.

3. ) Gilgamesh from Final Fantasy
Spoiler:
Despite his namesake, Gilgamesh is also inspired by Mushashibou Benkei. He's shown to prefer to use his naginata, likes to fight on bridges, collecting weapons of enemies he defeated, and also befriends the party after defeating him. On some of his reccurring appearances, he's shown to be holding multiple weapons, most of which are swords, or even actually carrying them on his back. Benkei's Loyalty to Yoshitsune is also shown by Gilgamesh's association with the Genji equipment; as "Genji" is the alternative Chinese pronounciation for the kanjis of "Mina" and "Moto" from the Minamoto clan.

4. ) Benkei from Ookami
Spoiler:
Just like the mythological figure, Benkei here is another monk waiting on a drawing bridge to get his 1000th sword.

5. ) Look Below.
Spoiler: This Post Being the 999th post of mine.


6.) Benkei from Nioh
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7.) Superheavy Samurai from Yu-Gi-Oh!
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8.) Benkei from Fate Series
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9.) Benkei from Warriors Orochi
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10.) Benkei from Yo-Kai Watch
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11.) Gyuukimaru [Onimaru] from One Piece
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12.) Benkei from Majikoi
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13.) Benkei from Ikki Tousen
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14.) Benkei Damashii from Kamen Rider Ghost
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15.) Benkei from Break-Age
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[EqsyLootz]

Tl;Dr this is some true dedication.

[Alicitzen]

good bit

[CheezePie]

now you shall never make your 1000th post