This silk antique miyamairi kimono was once used for the christening of a baby boy in a Shinto ceremony. Its back showcases a depiction of the legendary battle between Benkei and Yoshitsune on the Gojo bridge. The artwork is done in yuzen-painting, featuring freehand strokes, silk, and metallic embroidery highlights and outlines. Despite some foxing visible in the detail images, it remains in good condition. Measuring 33 inches (84 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 37 inches (94 cm) in height, this kimono holds historical and cultural significance.

Benkei and Yoshitsune, both revered folk heroes in Japan, have roots in 12th-century history. Benkei, a colossal man over two meters tall, left the Buddhist church at seventeen to join the Yamabushi, a sect of wandering bandit monks. Yoshitsune, the son of the powerful warlord Minamoto no Yoshitomo, engaged in the famed encounter with Benkei on the Gojo bridge.

According to legend, Benkei sought to capture 1,000 swords in combat to find his ultimate master or forge an ultimate blade. Positioned on the Gojo Bridge, he menaced travelers until encountering Yoshitsune, then a young twelve-year-old serving at Kurama Temple. Despite Benkei's menacing stature, Yoshitsune's agility outmaneuvered him, leading Benkei to pledge loyalty to Yoshitsune for life.

The portrayal on this kimono draws inspiration from woodblock prints, notably an 1854 Yoshifuji print, modifying the fearsome scene to suit a child's sensibilities. This imagery befits a boy's kimono, portraying Yoshitsune's youthful bravery and skill against overwhelming odds—an inspiring model for young wearers.