Ushiwaka & Benkei

Lore
Both encountered the other in the search for worthy adversaries. Their duel began at the stroke of midnight, blades and convictions clashing violently. None, not even the gods, could have predicted that the meeting of two undefeated warriors would mean the downfall of a mighty empire. Only the light of the moons illuminated the outcome of their extraordinary fate.

Acquisition
Added on December 15, 2014 as an "Ukiyo-e artistic masterpiece" in the Dragon's Hoard 7 Box Card Pack.

Name origin
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (159 – June 15, 1189), who was called Ushiwaka in his youth, was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period; he is considered one of the greatest and the most popular warriors of his era, and one of the most famous samurai fighters in the history of Japan. Musashibō Benkei (1155–1189), popularly called Benkei, was a Japanese warrior monk (sōhei), he is commonly depicted as a man of great strength and loyalty, and a popular subject of Japanese folklore.

Benkei had been told by a sword-smith that he could forge a magic sword from the tips and cutting edges of a thousand blades. Benkei is said to have posted himself at Gojō Bridge in Kyoto, where he disarmed every passing swordsman, eventually collecting 999 swords. On his 1000th duel, Benkei approached Ushiwaka. Benkei attacked him without delay, but the youth was too quick for him and managed to defeat him. Benkei was so impressed that he promised to serve and follow Ushiwaka.

Additional Info
Ukiyo-e, or ukiyo-ye ("pictures of the floating world"), is a genre of woodblock prints and paintings that flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Aimed at the prosperous merchant class in the urbanizing Edo period (1603–1867), depictions of beautiful women; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes from history and folk tales; travel scenes and landscapes; flora and fauna; and erotica were amongst the popular themes. There are many artworks depicting Ushiwaka and Benkei, mostly their famous fight at the Gojo Bridge.