107 - JAPAN - Late 19th, early 20th century

JAPAN - Late 19th, early 20th century A pair of hanging scroll paintings (*kakejiku*) depicting two legendary figures: the warrior monk Benkei and the nobleman Ushiwakamaru. Created in ink, watercolor, and gouache on silk, these works are mounted on a silk brocade backing, adorned with hand-painted decorative motifs and featuring scroll ends made of deer antler. The lower band of the mounting depicts a bridge railing, connecting the two panels into a single composition. One of the scrolls depicts the warrior monk Benkei, his head wrapped in a hood, as he draws a dagger from its sheath. The other shows the young Ushiwakamaru (the future Minamoto no Yoshitsune), standing on *geta* (wooden clogs); he pulls back a white cloak to reveal the armor he wears beneath, all bathed in the light of the full moon. This pair immortalizes the moment just before their famous encounter on the Gojō Bridge in Kyoto—a legendary duel that gave rise to one of Japan’s most celebrated bonds of loyalty and examples of the warrior spirit. Both scrolls bear the artist’s inscriptions and seals; additional inscriptions also appear on the reverse. One of the red, urn-shaped seals bears the name: 利次 (Toshiji / Toshitsugu) Dimensions: Image 47 × 13.6 cm; total dimensions (including mounting) 109 × 19.4 cm (for each piece). (Minor signs of moisture, soiling, wear, etc.)