Katsushika Hokui (葛飾北為) (artist )
Attack of the Taira Ghosts at Daimotsu Bay (Sesshū Daimotsu no ura Heike onryō arawaruru zu - 摂州大物浦平家怨霊顕る図)
1847 – 1850
29.25 in x 14 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Hokui ga (北為画)
Publisher: Kazusaya Iwazō
(Marks 233 - seal not listed)
Censor's seal: Mera and Murata
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Amagasaki Museum - a different edition with a different publisher, Maruya Jinpachi
Google map - Osaka Bay - Daimotsu is right off of Amagasaki
Arizona State University - Maruya Jinpachi edition
The Art Institute of Chicago - right-hand panel only Daimotsu Bay is in the northeast part of Osaka Bay right off the area of Amagasaki. To see this location click on the Google map link above.
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The drama of the lightning bolts adds greatly to the overall effects of this remarkable triptych.
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The examples in the collections of Arizona State University and Amagasaki were published by Maruya Jinpachi, whereas the triptych in Boston has the same publisher at this one.
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The warrior-monk Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶) stands at the prow of the ship with prayer beads raised in his right hand. Nearest him is Yoshitsune (伊豫守義經), his master who has directed him to quell the spirits of their dead enemies the vanquished Taira clan. Obviously, their malevolent forces have caused the storm. What other explanation could there be? But never fear, Benkei is here. Like Mighty Mouse he has "come to save the day." His invocation works and evil is dispelled.
Mighty Mouse may have had greater powers, but Benkei was no slouch. All you have to do is consider some of the miraculous stories surrounding his life. Or, we could simply examine the myths surrounding his birth.
According to various legends he was either the product of a rape by a Buddhist priest or his father was a supernatural creature. Either way his mother's pregnancy lasted 13 to 18 months. When he was born naturally he was larger than the normal baby with a full set of teeth, long hair and, of course, supernatural powers. Hence, among other feats Benkei, the warrior-monk could even quell spirits of the dead.
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Figures named in the right-hand panel:
1) 熊井太郎忠基 Taro Kumai
2) 鷲尾三郎義久 Saburō Yoshihisa
3) 堀弥太郎景光 Hori Yatarō Kagemitsu
4) 増尾十郎兼房 Masuo Jūrō Kanefusa
5) 伊勢三郎義盛 Saburō Ise Yoshimori
Figures named in the middle panel:
1) 鈴木三郎重家 Suzuki Saburō
2) 黒井治郎景久 Kuroi Jirō Kagehisa
3) 常陸坊海 Hitachibō Kaison
4) 駿河次郎重清 Suruga Jirō Shigekiyo
5) 亀井六郎重清 Kamei Rokurō Shigekiyo
6) 片岡八郎経俊 Kataoka Hachirō
7) 伊予守義経 Iyo no Kami Yoshitsune
8) 武蔵坊弁慶 Musashibō Benkei
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Illustrated in color in Japanese Yōkai and Other Supernatural Beings: Authentic Paintings and Prints of 100 Ghosts, Demons, Monsters and Magicians by Andreas Marks, Tuttle Publishing, 2023, pp. 226-227. This exact triptych is the one illustrated in this volume.
warrior prints (musha-e - 武者絵) (genre)
Yūrei-zu (幽霊図 - ghosts demons monsters and spirits) (genre)
Kazusaya Iwakichi (上総屋岩吉) (publisher)
Musashibō Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶) (role)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経) (role)