Gutei isshi　倶胝一指

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: Judiyizhi. A 9c Chinese Zen monk famous for his one-finger isshi Zen. According to the Wumenguan (Jp: MUMONKAN 無門関), Gutei typically would raise one finger when anyone spoke to him of important matters. A boy attendant began to imitate the habit. One day Gutei caught the boy and sliced off the child's finger. The master responded to the boy's fear and pain by raising his own finger again, whereupon the boy achieved enlightenment. Paintings of Gutei feature a priest with one-finger distinctively raised. The theme was often painted by Edo period *zenga 禅画 artists.

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