Danjūrō VII's Benkei as Fudō Myōō

Utagawa Kunisada Japanese

Not on view

Benkei is an armed and courageous warrior. Seated on a pile of humans, this character presents overlapping images of the superpowerful heroes Benkei and Fudō Myōō (Immovable Guardian King of the Buddhist Law), holding a sword and a rosary.

Fudō Myōō, particularly at the Shinshōji temple in Narita, is a protector of the Ichikawa family. This surimono, a privately commissioned print, might have been a New Year's gift to celebrate the birth of the future Danjūrō VIII.

Danjūrō VII's Benkei as Fudō Myōō, Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786–1864), Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan

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