Ikuzanshu 郁山主

Ch: Yushanzhu. Lit. Master of Mt. Yu (Jp: Ikuzan 郁山). A Chinese Chan (Jp: Zen 禅) monk from Hunan (Jp: Konan 湖南) province. It is believed that one day Ikuzanshu rode a donkey across a wooden bridge, fell down, and achieved enlightenment. Another version of the same story states that it was the sound of the donkey's hoofs on the bridge that led to his enlightenment. The theme, showing a priest riding a donkey, usually over or near a bridge, is often paired with illustrations of *Seiōgyū 政黄牛. The earliest extant versions are from the 14th century, and the theme was revived in the early 17th century by artists of the *Kano-ha 狩野派 and other schools.