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He Read a Blank Scroll as a 'Fundraising Register' — Benkei's Grand Performance at Ataka

When Yoshitsune's group was stopped at Ataka checkpoint, Benkei read from a blank scroll as if it were a real fundraising register — then beat his disguised master with a staff to prove he wasn't Yoshitsune. The guard saw through the ruse but let them pass.

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Pursued by Yoritomo, Yoshitsune’s group disguised as mountain monks was stopped at Ataka checkpoint. Benkei read from a blank scroll as if it were a real document, then beat his disguised master with a staff to ‘prove’ the small man wasn’t Yoshitsune. The guard recognized the ruse but was moved by Benkei’s desperate loyalty and let them pass. This story became the Kabuki masterpiece ‘Kanjincho.’

Minamoto clan kabuto — symbol of the clan to which Yoshitsune and Benkei belonged. The Ataka checkpoint story is the greatest scene in their flight

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Noh performance — the Ataka story evolved from the Noh play 'Ataka' into the Kabuki masterpiece 'Kanjincho,' depicting Benkei's loyalty and performance

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — sacred site of the Minamoto for whom Yoshitsune and Benkei risked everything. The Ataka flight is part of this era's tragedy

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Key Figures

Musashibo Benkei

Yoshitsune's Loyal Retainer & Warrior Monk

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