GMPM-02
John Jenkins Designs
SAITO MUSASHIBO BENKEI 1155 -1189, was simply known as Benkei, and was a warrior monk who lived in the latter years of the Heian Period (794 – 1185).
He led a varied life, first becoming a monk, then a mountain ascetic, and then a rogue warrior. He later came to respect and serve the famous warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
He is commonly depicted as a man of great strength and loyalty, and a popular subject of Japanese folklore, showcased in many ancient and modern literature productions.
Benkei was known to have armed himself with seven weapons, and is often depicted carrying these on his back. In addition to his sword, he carried a broad axe (masakari), a rake (kumade), a sickle (nagigama), a wooden mallet (hizuchi), a saw (nokogin), an iron staff (tetsubo), and a Japanese glaive (naginata).