Earlier this week, I was watching a TikTok video of a line of individuals at a Japanese Jiin, attempting to lift a giant spear of steel weighing over 210 pounds. This supposedly was the spear of Benkei, a folk hero of Japan, known for his inhuman strength. In the image above, he is seen reaching for it, to parry another famed warrior, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. I couldn’t help but to get into the rabbit hole of these characters of history – they reminded me of the heroes I read of in comic books or watch in an anime. Now, to find out Benkai passed at the same age as me after slaying 300 soldiers, dying while standing after struck by a volley of arrows…. On one hand, I do not want to go down like that; but on the other, what a way to live – to choose the way you die, to instill fear after your last breath is drawn. These are stories that are retold; music is played in homage to them nearly a millennium later… It’s inspiring.
I promised myself, as a reward for completing this program, I would like to study a martial arts and focus on improving my physical balance, strength, and form. This image and these stories will act as further information, until I too can wield a spear twice my height across a bridge to the drums of history!
Hey John, Japanese folklore is a fascinating subject; the stories can be so rich and fantastical. I always loved this style of Japanese art. I do not know the history of this form, but I always like to envision it as the predecessor to manga. The music you used is spot on. It helps to build the tension captured by the painting.
Hi John! The music felt appropriately ominous, like the prelude to a march into battle, which made it the perfect backdrop for your discussion of how Benkei met his end. I agree with your sentiment: being pierced by a rain of arrows isn’t quite how I’d like to go! Still, Benkei’s resume, 300 soldiers slain, is imposing in a way my own resume decidedly is not. What really delights me is wondering about simultaneity. What else was unfolding in the world while Benkei was stacking his legend? Unlike us, hyper-aware through the wonders of the internet (and social media), Benkei lived in the Heian period, likely unaware of the happenings around the world. It’s a strangely charming thing to daydream about.
Hello John. Before reading your description, I looked at the image and played the music without the backstory and context you gave. My first thought is that the warrior is running full speed, about to roll under the attacking warrior to avoid the sword and grab the spear from the correct end in order to defend himself. The music you chose lends itself to the sound of running, battle and has an urgency to it all. After reading the description, it is interesting to read about the folkhero Benkei, and I was right in that he needed to pick up that spear in order to parry Minamoto no Yoshitsune. I can see how these legendary stories have brought out inspiration to so many storytellers in anime, comics, and cinema including George Lucas, and the battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader in the original Star Wars movie. I hope this story inspires you to enroll in a martial arts program after you graduate, as it would be a healthy reward.