To fail to recognize someone of great importance or capability, often due to a lack of experience or discernment; to be ignorant of true greatness.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
The idiom "有眼不识泰山" (yǒu yǎn bù shí tài shān) originates from a story set in the Song Dynasty. Wang Jin, a boxing instructor in the imperial army in Tokyo, had a father named Wang Sheng who once disciplined a young rascal, Gao Qiu.
Ten years later, Gao Qiu rose to become a powerful Grand Marshal of the Palace Guards, directly supervising Wang Jin. Seeking revenge for the old incident, Gao Qiu arrested Wang Jin and had him severely beaten.
Wang Jin and his family fled overnight, eventually reaching Shijia Village.
Initially, Shi Jin, the young master of the village, failed to recognize Wang Jin's exceptional martial arts skills and noble character, showing "eyes but not recognizing Mount Tai." However, Shi Jin's father, being more astute, recognized Wang Jin's greatness and insisted that Shi Jin humbly accept Wang Jin as his master.