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#tattoo #samurai
Published: 2016-01-06 16:56:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 1009; Favourites: 2; Downloads: 0
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Description
Samurai helmet to compliment the oriental dragon on the upper arm. The helmet sports the Minamoto clan device as a reference to the samurai Benkei.Benkei is supposed to have joined the Minamoto clan having been defeated by Minamoto no Yoshitsune in a memorable duel (Benkei defeated 999 opponents and was subsequently bested in his 1000th duel).
As Yoshitsune's right hand man, he smuggled his lord out from under the noses of their enemies (the Taira clan) when he disguised his lord as a servant. Fearing detection by a Taira patrol, Yoshitsune refused to raise his head to be inspected; Benkei struck his lord (an act which should have earned his death) as punishment, which the Taira took as proof that it could not possibly be Yoshitsune himself.
Later during the Taira-Minamoto conflict, Benkei held a bridge, slaying over 300 Taira warriors to buy Yoshitsune time to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) rather than be captured dishonourably by his enemies. Taira soldiers refused to attempt to cross the bridge while Benkei still stood guard at one end. Finally forced to attack, they discovered he had perished from his wounds overnight while still standing; continuing to defend his lord even in death.
My précis doesn't do justice to the tales and legends surrounding this character, so do please feel to Google and discover more for yourself.























