Box with Design of Benkei and a Bell 1862

This is a wooden box with a design of Benkei and a bell, made by Shibata Zeshin in 19th century Japan. Zeshin lived during a time of immense social and cultural change as Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a more modern, industrialized nation. The box illustrates a scene from the life of Benkei, a warrior monk celebrated in Japanese folklore for his strength and loyalty. But let's think about how Zeshin, at this moment in time, uses this figure to explore shifting cultural values. Benkei, with his commitment to bushido—the samurai code—embodies the values of the old warrior class. He is juxtaposed with the image of a temple bell, which Benkei was said to have stolen in order to feed himself. Zeshin captures an emotional tension between martial prowess, religious institutions, and a changing social order. What does it mean to depict a warrior engaged in theft? Is it a critique of the past, or a commentary on the struggles of adapting to a new era? Perhaps this box is an invitation to reflect on how we reconcile tradition with the necessities of survival.