The Tale of Gasujae (賈秀才)

 No one really knew who Gasujae (賈秀才) was. 

He frequently visited Cheongwonsa Temple in Jeokseong-hyeon while making a living as a dried fish vendor. Standing over 8 feet tall with braided hair and a charcoal-black face, he was a striking figure.

When asked for his name, he’d reply with a grin:

“My surname is Heaven, my name is Earth, and my courtesy name is Black and Yellow.”

Hearing this, people couldn’t help but laugh. If they insisted further, he’d eventually shrug and say, “I’m just a merchant—my surname is Ga (賈).” From then on, everyone called him Gasujae.

Every morning, he’d carry dried fish to distant markets. With 50 coins, he’d buy liquor and drink; he seemed to care little for food or other worldly pursuits.

A Strange Encounter with Scholars

One snowy day, Gasujae stormed into Cheongwonsa Temple, soaking wet, and plopped himself among a group of scholars. When the scholars scolded him for his rudeness, he retorted, “You lot act like emperors, while my trade isn’t as grand as Lü Buwei's. Oh, how terrifying!” He then laid down and snored loudly, ignoring their protests.

The following day, his clear voice rang out as he recited a poem by Li Bai, leaving the scholars in awe. Curious, they asked if he could compose his own poetry. Gasujae casually picked up a brush and wrote in wild cursive script:

Stunned by his skill, the scholars begged for another verse, but he angrily refused and left in a huff.

The Curious Life of Gasujae

On another occasion, drunk as usual, he offered a blowfish at the Buddha’s altar, claiming, “Even the Buddha ate blowfish in a sacred sutra!” He sat cross-legged, improvising a mock-sermon that sent everyone into fits of laughter.

Gasujae left Cheongwonsa a year later, vanishing as mysteriously as he appeared. To many, he was seen as an eccentric, perhaps even a “hidden gentleman” who shunned recognition while harboring exceptional talent and an extraordinary spirit.

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