Gikeiki 義経記 [Record of Yoshitsune]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) was a tragic hero, whose life was immortalised in countless publications. The facts are mixed with fiction. Long after his death, Yoshitsune’s fame continued to grow through stories, theatre, and art.
‘Gikei’ is another way to read the name Yoshitsune. This fanciful biography of the hero includes the story of his youthful training with winged creatures called tengū. Yoshitsune learned to fight while leaping or balancing on one foot as well as to fend off attacks with his fan. Here young Yoshitsune demonstrates both skills against the much larger and more experienced warrior Benkei. Benkei was so impressed that he served Yoshitsune for the rest of his life. This edition is a rare example of a tanrokubon 丹緑本, a book hand-coloured in green and orange-red. The technique was mainly used for books of stories in 17th century Kyōto.