Sōhei (僧兵, "monk soldiers", "warrior monks" [1]) were Buddhist warrior monks of both classical and feudal Japan. At certain points in history, they held considerable power, obliging the imperial and military governments to collaborate.

Saitō Musashibō Benkei (西塔武蔵坊弁慶, 1155–1189), popularly known by the mononym Benkei, was a Japanese warrior monk 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.

Kūkai (空海; 27 July 774 – 22 April 835 [1]), born Saeki no Mao (佐伯 眞魚), [2] posthumously called Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師, "The Grand Master who Propagated the Dharma"), was a Japanese Buddhist monk, calligrapher, and poet who founded the esoteric Shingon school of …

May 21, 2015 · We are finally diving into the intricacies of a the monk life in Japan. I interviewed the same helpful monk from my article last year, Yugaku Ikawa of Daihisen Tatsunoji Temple in Yagyu, Nara. He belongs to a Japanese group of Shingon …

Mar 22, 2024 · In the heart of medieval Japan, a unique figure emerges: the sôhei, or soldier-monk. These Buddhist warriors, at once men of faith and formidable fighters, have profoundly marked Japanese history.

Apr 16, 2019 · Stories of malicious spirits have been told in Japan for centuries, but one among them stands out: the tale of the nine-tailed fox that traveled the world, taking the form of beautiful women. In Japan, the spirit came to be known as Tamamo-no-Mae.

Jun 23, 2024 · Let's discover these fascinating figures who have shaped Japanese religious history over the centuries. From philosophers to reformers to warriors, these monks illustrate the richness and diversity of Japanese Buddhism. Their teachings and actions continue to influence contemporary Japanese society.

Feb 8, 2023 · The Sohei monks of medieval Japan were a powerful movement of warrior monks, Buddhists that were men of the cloth and skilled warriors at the same time. In fact, these warrior monks were quite powerful at their height - so much so that they were feared by the government.

Jul 12, 2019 · Buddhist monasteries have been part of the Japanese cultural landscape ever since the 7th century CE, and they remained both powerful and socially important institutions right through the medieval period.

Jan 29, 2023 · The Sohei, or ‘warrior monks’ of Japan, are one of the most famous and iconic figures of Japanese history. These martial monks were a powerful force during medieval times, and their legacy has lived on in popular culture and folklore.