uneducated monk; ignorant monk
Archaic derogatory term for a monk perceived as uneducated or uncultured, literally 'potato-digging monk'. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.
In Edo-period documents, the derogatory term 'potato-digging monk' is recorded.
Compound of 芋掘り (potato digging) and 坊主 (monk), implying a monk who does manual labor rather than scholarly or spiritual pursuits. The exact historical origin is uncertain.