A Fateful Encounter五条大橋
Kyoto's Gojo-ohashi Bridge is where Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his loyal retainer Benkei are said to have first crossed paths.
Boasting of his matchless strength, Benkei was challenging passersby to duels and then claiming their swords. He had resolved to continue doing this until he had amassed no fewer than a thousand swords.
Had he defeated one more swordsman, he would have reached his goal. However, it was then that there appeared before him the young Yoshitsune, still going by his childhood name of Ushiwakamaru.
After he was defeated, Benkei pledged his loyalty to the young lord, and served as his retainer until his dying day.
Lord Ushiwakamaru! What are you doing here? Don't you know it's dangerous to be walking about alone at this hour? But if you do insist on roaming the streets at night, under no circumstances should you attempt to cross Gojo-ohashi Bridge.
The bridge is presently occupied by a warrior-monk by the name of Benkei. Whenever he spies a worthy opponent, he challenges them to a duel, and takes the sword of any man he manages to fell. Why, he is a veritable menace to society!
Of course, I well realize that you are more than capable, my liege. But you are still a child... And besides, you are of noble blood. I urge you not to take any undue risks.
おや、牛若丸様。このような夜更けにひとりで出歩いて… 危ないではないですか。 ああ、そうだ。この先の五条大橋は決して渡らぬように ご注意くださいませ。 五条大橋には今、「弁慶」なる僧兵がおりまして、 強そうなやつを見かけては喧嘩をふっかけ、 勝てば刀を奪うという乱暴狼藉を働いているのです。 牛若丸様がお強いことは私もよくよく知っておりますが… とはいえ、あなた様はまだ子ども…。しかも尊いお血筋の お方です。 どうか、我が身を大事になさってくださいませ。
Bwahaha! Weak! You're all weak! Is there really no man capable of besting me?
To date, I have taken 999 swords from the grubby hands of the men I've slain. So tell me, from whom shall I take my thousandth sword, eh?
Hm? And who might this young pup be? You look like you are brimming with ambition, I will give you that. In fact, you appear to be strong beyond your years. This should be an interesting match!
Hey, where are you going, little boy? Afraid to stand up to the mighty Benkei?
Ah, it's all coming back to me. That was the night I lost to Lord Ushiwakamaru. Enamored by his strength and grace, I begged him to take me on as one of his retainers. At the time, I had not the faintest idea that he was the scion of that most illustrious warrior family, the Genji...
He would later change his name to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and there is no warrior alive who does not know that name.
...Now, Lord Yoshitsune, lead us onward into battle! Only say the word, and I, your loyal servant Benkei, shall follow you to the ends of the earth!
Lord Yoshitsune! How my heart weeps for you! But you grew too powerful, too great for your petty allies, inspiring in their hearts an envy and fear which has been your undoing.
Grahh! Stand back! Back, I say! Ungrateful curs! Do you not know that you owe everything to Lord Yoshitsune? Who did more than he to build this noble nation, make it a place worthy of warriors! I shall not let you lay a finger on him! Not unless you wish to fall at the feet of the mighty Benkei! That's right! I will serve my master to the end, to my dying breath!
Do your worst! Unsheathe your swords! Unleash your arrows! I shall not yield! And if I must die, let me die on my feet, serving as a wall to shield my lord!
- Where
- Gojo-ohashi Bridge
- Map
- Eastern Kyoto
- Region
- Eastern Kyoto
- Hand in to
- Lady Murasaki, Yasaka Shrine
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