The legendary adventures of Yoshitsune the Brave and his Faithful Henchman, Great Benkei of the Western Pagoda, based on the life of Yoshitsune, the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and half-brother Minamoto no Yoritomo, who would go on to found the Kamakura shogunate, becoming Japan’s first shogun.
Prince Bantam is the happily combined work of a distinguished husband and wife team, Lynd Ward (1905 - 1985) and May McNeer Ward (1902 - 1994). May Ward wrote extensively for what she called “medium age” children, chiefly on historical subjects. Lynd Ward, an expert in both woodcut and lithography, illustrated many beautiful limited editions, as well as trade editions of books for both adults and children.
The advantages of the close collaboration between author and artist are strikingly apparent as the Wards again present a story and pictures that complement and enhance each other to perfection.
