The painting, Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma was created by Toyo in 1496. It is a hanging scroll with ink and light colors on paper. Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who was rumored to live during either the 5th or the 6th century. He is known for being the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China and became the first known Chinese patriarch. Throughout Buddhist art, he is often described as being ill-tempered, profusely-bearded, and almost like a barbarian. He was known to live a part of his life in seclusion. There are a few versions as to why Bodhidarma decided to live his life in seclusion. In one version of the story, it is said that he lived in a cave where he faced a wall for nine years, not speaking to anyone the entire time
