RELIGIOUS FIGURE

Benkei

1155 - 1189

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Saitō Musashibō Benkei (西塔 武蔵坊 弁慶; Japanese pronunciation: [mɯ.sa.ɕiꜜ.boː | beꜜŋ.kei, -keː] 1155–1189), popularly known by the mononym Benkei ([beꜜŋ.kei, -keː]), was a Japanese warrior monk (sōhei) who lived in the latter years of the Heian Period (794–1185). Benkei 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, also known as Ushiwakamaru. 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 and productions. Read more on Wikipedia

His biography is available in different languages on Wikipedia. Benkei is the 738th most popular religious figure (down from 659th in 2019), the 116th most popular biography from Japan (down from 95th in 2019) and the 6th most popular Japanese Religious Figure.

Benkei is most famous for being a warrior monk who protected the emperor from his enemies.

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Among RELIGIOUS FIGURES

Among religious figures, Benkei ranks 738 out of 3,187. Before him are Angelo Scola, Obadiah, Al-Suyuti, Robert of Molesme, John Mott, and Nahor, son of Serug. After him are Mordecai, Saint Remigius, Olaus Magnus, Matteo Zuppi, Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, and Juliana of Nicomedia.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1155, Benkei ranks 6. Before him are Isaac II Angelos, Peter II of Courtenay, Alfonso VIII of Castile, Niketas Choniates, and Ottokar I of Bohemia. After him are Henry the Young King, Shahab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash Suhrawardi, Kilij Arslan II, Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus, Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Kamo no Chōmei. Among people deceased in 1189, Benkei ranks 5. Before him are Henry II of England, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Gerard de Ridefort, and William II of Sicily. After him are Matilda of England, Duchess of Saxony, Humbert III, Count of Savoy, Frederick, Duke of Bohemia, and Emperor Shizong of Jin.

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In Japan

Among people born in Japan, Benkei ranks 116 out of 6,245. Before him are Emperor Higashiyama (1675), Tameo Ide (1908), Chiune Sugihara (1900), Hasekura Tsunenaga (1571), Joan Fontaine (1917), and Yasuo Fukuda (1936). After him are Prince Shōtoku (574), Eisaku Satō (1901), Emperor Nintoku (290), Joe Hisaishi (1950), Emperor Kōshō (-505), and Kakuichi Mimura (1931).

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Among RELIGIOUS FIGURES In Japan

Among religious figures born in Japan, Benkei ranks 6. Before him are Kane Tanaka (1903), Paulo Miki (1564), Dōgen (1200), Nichiren (1222), and Empress Meishō (1624). After him are Abe no Seimei (921), Sen no Rikyū (1522), Mikao Usui (1865), Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659), Ikkyū (1394), and Eisai (1141).

Japanese born Religious Figures

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