Ready Reference Files

Three Monkeys: "Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil"

The trio of monkeys is depicted with one having its hands over its ears, another having its hands over its mouth, and the third having its hands over its eyes. Known as the Three Monkeys, they are a tradition in Japanese culture.

Beginning in the late Muromchi period (1333-1568), it became customary to carve these figures on koshinto, stone pillars used during the observance of Koshin. According to the Kiyu Shoran, an early 19th century reference work, the Three Monkeys may also be related to the Sanno belief complex, wherein monkeys play the role of divine messangers. The Three Monkeys represent the Santai (Three Truths) advocated the Tendai Sect of Buddhims. The Tendai founder, Saicho is said to have carved a representation of this ideal in the form of monkeys. (Japan. p. 1562-63)

A famous carving of the Three Monkeys is on the sacred stable in the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan. Carvings of monkeys were believed to prevent diseases in horses.

Pictures can be found in the following sources:

• National Geographic. December 1959, p.857.
• Man, Myth and Magic. 1995 rev. ed., vol. 13. p. 1763. (R133 M31)
• Lehrner, Ernst. Picture Book of Symbols., p. 63. (Oversize 704.946 L52)

Sources:
McQueen, Ian L. Japan, a travel survival kit. Lonely Plant Publications, 1989. p. 256.
Japan, an illustrated encyclopedia. Kodansha. 1993. p. 1562-63.

Verified by: RAP, 2/99

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