頂相ちんぞう

noun

portrait or sculpture of a renowned Zen monk

A specific term in Zen Buddhism and art history for a realistic portrait or statue of a high-ranking Zen master, often used as a certificate of dharma transmission.

• この頂相ちんぞうは、鎌かま倉くら時じ代だいの高こう僧そうを描えがいたものです。

  This portrait is of a high priest from the Kamakura period.

• 禅ぜん宗しゅうでは、師しから弟で子しへ頂相ちんぞうが伝つたえられることがある。

  In Zen Buddhism, a portrait of the master is sometimes passed from teacher to disciple.