The Call of the Bell: The early life of Benkei

The early life of Benkei, whose birth name was Oniwaka, is shrouded in mystery and filled with tales of hardship, solitude, and destiny. Born during the late Heian period in the rural outskirts of Kyoto, his origins were unique and mysterious, as his father was said to be a Tengu, a mythical creature with supernatural powers, and his mother a human woman.**

Abandoned and Found

As an infant, Oniwaka was abandoned by his parents, left to the mercy of the elements. Fate, however, had different plans for the child. He was discovered by the head priest of a small, secluded temple hidden deep within the wilderness. The elderly priest, named Eikan, was known throughout the region for his wisdom and compassion.

One cold and rainy night, Eikan had a vivid dream that compelled him to venture into the forest. Guided by this ethereal vision, he stumbled upon a crying infant swaddled in ragged clothing, abandoned beneath the towering branches of a centuries-old cherry blossom tree. The baby's cries were pitiful, and it was clear to Eikan that this child was special.

With great tenderness, Eikan gathered the infant into his arms and carried him back to the temple. There, in the tranquil confines of the temple grounds, the boy's cries ceased, as if he had found solace in the presence of the compassionate priest. Eikan decided to take the child under his wing, naming him Oniwaka, which meant "demon child," in recognition of the mysterious circumstances of his discovery.

Upbringing in the Temple

The temple was a peaceful sanctuary, surrounded by dense forests and serene landscapes. It was in this remote environment that Oniwaka's upbringing began, far removed from the bustling streets of Kyoto. Eikan and the temple's residents, who were mostly elderly monks, embraced their newfound responsibility.

Eikan was a wise and gentle mentor. He recognized the child's innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Under the guidance of the benevolent priest, Oniwaka embarked on a spiritual and intellectual journey. He learned to meditate, recite sutras, and perform religious rituals with a deep reverence for the spiritual world. The young boy displayed a natural inclination for discipline and devotion, traits that would serve him well in the years to come.

As Oniwaka grew, his physical prowess became increasingly apparent. He was extraordinarily strong for his age, capable of performing feats that astounded the temple's residents. His strength, combined with his spiritual dedication, marked him as a prodigy among the monks.

The Call of the Bell

One day, as Oniwaka was walking within the temple grounds, he happened upon the temple's prized possession: a magnificent bronze bell. It was a work of art, meticulously crafted and revered by the temple's inhabitants for generations. The bell's surface bore intricate engravings of Buddhist deities, and its deep, resonant tone was said to reach the heavens themselves.

As he gazed upon the bell, a strange and overpowering urge swept over him. It was as if an unseen force compelled him to take it. Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Oniwaka devised a daring plan to steal the massive bell.

Under the cover of night, when the moon shone like a silver lantern in the sky, Oniwaka embarked on his audacious mission. The temple was shrouded in silence, save for the occasional chirping of crickets. The air was thick with mysticism, and Oniwaka felt a strange, otherworldly energy enveloping him.

Using his incredible strength, he carefully lowered the colossal bell from its mountings, its sheer weight and size making the task all the more daunting. Beads of sweat dotted his brow as he exerted himself to the fullest. The effort was immense, but the allure of the bell and the irresistible urge to possess it spurred him on.

With immense effort and a determination that seemed to defy the laws of nature, Oniwaka managed to carry the immense bronze bell away from the temple grounds. He trudged through the forest, the bell slung over his shoulder like a colossal burden. The night was long, and Oniwaka's steps were slow and deliberate.

Yet, throughout his journey, a deep sense of guilt and foreboding gnawed at him. He couldn't escape the gravity of his actions. He had not only defied the trust and sanctity of the temple but also the principles of the Buddhism he had learned from his beloved mentor, Eikan.

The Fateful Encounter

As Oniwaka ventured deeper into the forest, his heart heavy with the stolen bell, he had no inkling that his life was about to take a dramatic turn. Unknown to him, a group of samurai led by a renowned warrior named Minamoto no Yoshitsune was patrolling the outskirts of the forest that very night.

Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a brilliant and charismatic young samurai, was known throughout Japan for his exceptional martial skills and indomitable warrior spirit. He and his loyal band of warriors were engaged in a quest to restore the honour and power of the Minamoto clan, which had been beset by treachery and tragedy.

The forest was dark and eerily silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. Yoshitsune's party moved stealthily, their weapons at the ready. They had received word of a mysterious figure carrying a stolen temple bell through the woods, and they were determined to investigate.

It was under the moon's soft glow that Oniwaka, with the colossal bell in tow, encountered Yoshitsune's group. The moment was charged with tension as the two forces, seemingly from different worlds, converged in the heart of the forest.

The samurai warriors, their faces masked in shadows, immediately confronted Oniwaka, demanding an explanation for the theft of the temple bell. Oniwaka, his heart pounding in his chest, stood his ground. He felt an inexplicable connection to the bell, an urge that had driven him to this point, and he couldn't let it go without a fight.

A hush fell over the forest as the confrontation between the young monk and the battle-hardened samurai unfolded. Oniwaka, though untrained in the ways of the sword, was not one to back down easily. He was determined to protect the bell at all costs.

Yoshitsune, ever the astute observer, recognized the immense strength and unyielding spirit within Oniwaka. There was something about the monk's unwavering determination that piqued his interest. Instead of rushing into battle, Yoshitsune called for a halt.

He dismounted from his horse and approached Oniwaka cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana. In a voice both authoritative and measured, Yoshitsune asked, "Who are you, and why have you taken this bell?"

Oniwaka, his breath heavy and his brow furrowed with determination, responded, "I am Oniwaka, and this bell...this bell called to me. It compelled me to take it. I do not know why, but I cannot let it go."

Yoshitsune studied the monk for a moment, his sharp eyes assessing the sincerity in Oniwaka's words. There was an air of vulnerability about the young monk, a sense of inner turmoil, that Yoshitsune found intriguing.

"Your strength and your conviction are admirable,"

Yoshitsune said. "I am Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and I lead a band of loyal warriors. We are on a quest to restore honour to our clan. Perhaps you can find a place among us, a purpose for your strength and your unwavering spirit."

Oniwaka was taken aback by Yoshitsune's offer. He had expected to face retribution for his actions, not an invitation to join a group of samurai on a noble quest. But something in Yoshitsune's gaze and his words resonated with Oniwaka's own sense of destiny.

"I accept your offer," Oniwaka replied, bowing deeply to Yoshitsune. "I will pledge my strength and my loyalty to you, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and together we shall face whatever challenges lie ahead."

With that, a bond was forged in the heart of the forest that night—a bond between a monk with extraordinary strength and a samurai with a vision of honour and redemption. Little did they know that their destinies were intricately entwined, and their partnership would lead them on a legendary journey through the pages of Japanese history and folklore. The stolen bell, once a symbol of temptation and transgression, would become a symbol of their shared destiny and unwavering loyalty.

From that moment forward, Oniwaka would adopt a new name, one that would resonate throughout history: Benkei, the warrior monk whose loyalty and strength would become legendary in the annals of Japanese folklore and whose story would inspire generations to come. Together with Yoshitsune, Benkei would embark on a series of extraordinary adventures, their names forever etched in the epic tales of Japan's past.