Benkei

In his youth Benkei was called Oniwakamaru “demon child”. Many give him attributes of an ogre with long teeth and wild hair. He is often depicted fighting a giant carp with a knife in his mouth. After slaying the fish he discovers the body of his mother who had been eaten after falling into the stream. Benkei was a large man, at the age of 17 he is said to have been 2 meters (6ft 6inches) tall.

Benkei joined a monastery at an early age and travelled widely around the monasteries of Japan. At that time monasteries were important centers of administration and culture as well as military powers. He was likely trained in fighting skills during this time. He is known for carrying seven weapons; his sword, broad ax, rake, sickle, wooden mallet, saw, iron staff and a glaive (naginata).

Benkei is said to have wandered around Kyoto at night on a personal quest to take 1000 swords from samurai warriors. After obtaining 999 he met a young man who carried a gilded sword around his waist. The two agreed to a duel on the Gojo Bridge. Though Benkei was a much larger man he lost his duel to the smaller man who turned out to be Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Frustrated with losing and wanting to avenge his loss he challenged Yoshitsune again at the Buddhist Temple of Kiyamizu where he lost again. It was at this time he began to fight under Yoshitsune for the Minamoto clan.

His famous end came as Yoshitsune and Benkei were surrounded during a battle. Yoshitsune decided to commit seppuku, Benkei stood guard for Yoshitsune. Instead of engaging Benkei and face possible death the soldiers that surrounded him decided to use arrows. Long after the battle should have been over the soldiers noticed the arrow wounded and riddled Benkei was still standing. When they came in for a closer look he fell over and they realized that he had died standing upright. This is known as the standing death of Benkei.