Two all-American heroes blend seamlessly with two legendary Japanese characters in this new take on a classic ukiyo-e print from the 1800s.
Hollywood film Captain America: Civil War is continuing to slay it at the box office overseas, holding steady at first place in sales for the second weekend in a row. In Japan, filmgoers are loving the movie too, and although it’s currently ranking behind two animated features and a Japanese crime thriller, fans here are proving to be some of the most enthusiastic in the world. Not only was the film released here before its premiere in the United States, Marvel actually teamed up with famous ramen chain Ippudo to create exclusive Captain America and Iron Man noodle dishes as part of the festivities. Now, Japanese artist @takumitoxin is showing us just how seamlessly the two fighting heroes can blend in with Japanese culture with a new artwork based on a famous ukiyo-e woodblock print from the 1800s.
▼ Created in 1881 by ukiyo-e master Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 – 1892), the original print shows two of Japan’s best-loved heroes, Ushiwaka and Benkei, duelling on Gojo Bridge in Kyoto.
一見してわかる通り、パロディの元ネタは幕末の天才絵師、月岡芳年が描いた義経記五条橋之図(1881)における弁慶と牛若です。 pic.twitter.com/Yx995AW6ne
— TAKUMI™ XENO発売中 (@takumitoxin) May 13, 2016
▼ The superhero retake on the classic print shows Captain America as Musashibō Benkei (1155–1189), a strong and loyal Japanese warrior monk and popular subject of Japanese folklore.
Source: Twitter/@takumitoxin
▼ Iron Man appears as Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159-1189), a brilliant warrior who remains one of the most beloved historical figures in Japan.
Source: Twitter/@takumitoxin
The encounter on the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto shows Benkei attacking the teenage Yoshitsune in an attempt to steal the tip of his sword to make a weapon with 1,000 sword-tips in order to make himself invincible. Yoshitsune proved to be too powerful and Benkei was forced to concede, thereafter becoming Yoshitsune’s loyal retainer. Benkei’s loyalty was so strong he eventually died while defending Yoshitsune.
▼ Since recreating the classic scene with two all-American heroes as the central characters, the creative artwork has had over 22,000 retweets.
浮世絵シビルウォー描いてしまった#シビルウォー #CivilWar pic.twitter.com/V0C27U0CmP
— TAKUMI™ XENO発売中 (@takumitoxin) May 12, 2016
While people from around the world have offered to buy the artwork and are putting in requests to see the image on T-shirts and other items of clothing, there’s no news yet as to whether the print will be made available for sale. Here’s hoping we get to see the Japanese-styled fighting duo on some exclusive merchandise soon!
Source: Curazy
Top Image: Twitter/@takumitoxin
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