The story of three Japanese monkeys who have become a symbol of female wisdom. I don't see the monkeys, I don't hear, I don't speak
The famous Shinto shrine of Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art that is famous throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. The carving made by the sculptor Hidari Jingoro is an illustration of the famous phrase “I see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing”.
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century, as part of Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is only one small part of a larger series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
There are 8 panels in total, which represent the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lunyu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd-4th centuries AD, did it sound a little differently: “Don't look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency. " It is possible that this is the original phrase that was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the panel, monkeys sit in a row, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is cut out with closed eyes.
Monkeys are widely known as "I can't see, I don't hear, I don't speak," but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that covers its ears is called Kikazaru, which closed its mouth - Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes its eyes.
The names are probably a play on words as they all end in "dzaru", which means monkey in Japanese. The second meaning of this word is “to leave”, that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the famous trio, which represents the principle of "not committing any evil." It is worth noting that the conventional wisdom is that Shizaru was added much later in the souvenir industry, for commercial purposes only.
Monkeys represent the approach to life in the Shinto and Kosin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is approximately 500 years old, however, some argue that similar symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Photographs of monkeys can be seen on the ancient Kosin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
Contrary to the popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, sculptures and paintings "I see no evil, I do not hear evil, I do not speak evil" are unlikely to be found in any country other than Japan. The oldest Kosin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only features one monkey, not three.
The famous Shinto shrine of Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art that is famous throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. The carving made by the sculptor Hidari Jingoro is an illustration of the famous phrase “I see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing”.
Three wise monkeys. / Photo: noomarketing.net
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century, as part of Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is only one small part of a larger series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
Three monkeys at the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan.
There are 8 panels in total, which represent the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lunyu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd-4th centuries AD, did it sound a little differently: “Don't look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency. " It is possible that this is the original phrase that was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
World War II poster addressed to participants in the Manhattan Project.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the panel, monkeys sit in a row, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is cut out with closed eyes.
Monkeys are widely known as "I can't see, I don't hear, I don't speak," but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that covers its ears is called Kikazaru, which closed its mouth - Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes its eyes.
Three wise monkeys on the beach in Barcelona.
The names are probably a play on words as they all end in "dzaru", which means monkey in Japanese. The second meaning of this word is “to leave”, that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the famous trio, which represents the principle of "not committing any evil." It is worth noting that the conventional wisdom is that Shizaru was added much later in the souvenir industry, for commercial purposes only.
Brass casting.
Monkeys represent the approach to life in the Shinto and Kosin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is approximately 500 years old, however, some argue that similar symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Photographs of monkeys can be seen on the ancient Kosin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
The oldest monument is Kosin.
Contrary to the popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, sculptures and paintings "I see no evil, I do not hear evil, I do not speak evil" are unlikely to be found in any country other than Japan. The oldest Kosin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only features one monkey, not three.
There is a Japanese parable about the three monkeys. One of them covers her eyes with her paws, the other closes her ears, and the third closes her mouth. With his gesture, the first monkey says: "I do not see evil and stupidity." The second says: "I do not hear evil and stupidity." Third: "I do not speak with evil and stupidity."
Some netsuke depict Sambiki-sara - three monkeys, each of which covers either its mouth, or ears, or eyes with its paws. This plot is an illustration of the Buddhist idea "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil." In Japan, it is associated with the main Shinto shrine of the Japanese, the Toshogu Shrine. It is located in the city of Nikko and is the mausoleum of the almighty feudal ruler of Japan, the commander and shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616). Having seized power in the country, he stopped the bloody feudal strife, which until that time tormented Japan. After his death, the magnificent mausoleum, the construction of which lasted from November 1634 to April 1636, became a kind of symbol of subordination to the central government. The exorbitant expenses for the construction of the temple weakened the financial capabilities of the local feudal lords so much that they could no longer plot against the institution of the shogunate.
Toshogu includes the small but beautifully decorated Sacred Stables. It once contained a horse, which, according to Shinto beliefs, was ridden by the gods themselves. In medieval Japan, a monkey was considered a kind of guardian spirit of horses. It is not surprising that the walls of the Sacred Stable are covered with openwork wood carvings, the main subjects of which are figurines of monkeys. One of the central panels depicts three monkeys demonstrating aversion to evil in their poses. These half-meter figures are widely known throughout Japan as the "three monkeys from Nikko."
It is curious that in Japanese the phrase “I see nothing, I hear nothing, I don’t say anything” sounds like “Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru”. The Japanese word for "monkey" sounds similar to the ending of each of these three verbs - "zaru" or "dzaru". Therefore, the image of monkeys, illustrating the Buddhist idea of rejection of evil, is in Japanese iconography a consequence of a peculiar play on words. Netsuke masters often reflected this theme in their works.
Three Mystical Monkeys with closed eyes, ears and mouth mean the following: "I do not see evil, I do not hear evil, I do not speak about evil."
Surely you understand what kind of monkeys we are talking about: one closes the ears, the other - the eyes, the third - the mouth. They are painted on T-shirts, key rings and figurines are made with them. This symbol has become so popular that its meaning has been distorted more than once. For example, some interpret it as indifference to everything. But this is fundamentally wrong and has nothing to do with the real meaning!
Monkeys are known in the West as "I don't see anything, I don't hear anything, I won't say anything." But to be precise, the figurines have the idea of rejecting everything that is bad. The main point is to avoid bad deeds and to practice wise caution.
Each monkey has its own name: Kikazaru, Iwazaru, Mizaru. Sometimes, together with them, a fourth named Shizaru is also depicted, which covers the stomach with a paw. Its main idea is “not to do evil”. But it is not so widespread, since in Asian numerology the number 4 is considered unfavorable. The endings of animal names are similar in sound to the word "saru", which means "monkey." Another meaning is to leave. Many people see a play on words here.
In the composition, which is called "Sambiki-Saru" in Japanese, the aversion to evil is embodied in the monkeys for a reason. These animals are sacred in Shinto, the traditional religion of Japan. They are considered a talisman that protects against slander.
The phrase became famous for the carved panel depicting three monkeys. The sculptor Hidari Jingoro painted them in the 17th century at the Shinto shrine of Tosho-gu. It is located in the ancient city of Nikko - the religious and pilgrimage center of the country.
A similar idea of the phrase was seen in the book of sayings of Confucius. Here's what he said:
“Don't look at what's wrong; Don't listen to what's wrong; Don't say what's wrong; Don't do what is wrong. " Some believe that the Japanese adopted it and reduced it.
In addition, three monkeys accompanied the Vajrayaksha deity. He protected people from evil spirits and diseases.
Three monkeys - symbolize the idea of not doing evil and detachment from the untrue. “If I don’t see evil, I don’t hear about evil and don’t say anything about it, then I am protected from it” - this famous saying is known all over the world. Its symbol is three monkeys: one closes its mouth, the other - the eyes, the third - the ears.
Three monkeys - meaning
In the mouth of the Buddha, this saying sounds like this: "If I do not see evil, do not hear about evil and do not say anything about it, then I am protected from it."
As stated by Confucius: “Do not look at what is wrong; don't listen to what's wrong; don't say what's wrong; do not do what is wrong. "
Sometimes the composition may contain the fourth monkey - Shizaru, symbolizing the principle of "not committing evil." She is depicted covering the belly or perineum.
The sculptural composition with monkeys first appeared in Japan; it is used to decorate the Toshogu shrine in the city of Nikko. Why were monkeys chosen as the symbol of this statement?
Most likely thanks to the Japanese wordplay. The phrase “I don’t see, I don’t hear, I don’t speak” sounds like “mizaru, kikazaru, ivazaru”, the ending “dzaru” is consonant with the Japanese word “monkey”.
The god Vajrayaksha, who protects people from spirits, diseases and demons, also has three monkeys as his companions.
Parallels with this statement are present in many scriptures: Taoism ("Chuang Tzu" and "Le Tzu"), Hinduism ("Bhagavad Gita"), Jainism ("Naladiyar"), Judaism and Christianity ("Ecclesiastes", "Psalms" and "The Book of Isaiah"), Islam (Surah of the Quran "Al-Bakara"), etc.
You can often hear the opinion that "closing our eyes to evil, we simply distance ourselves from what is happening in the world."
But the meaning of this sculpture and dictum is different, it can be most easily explained through knowledge of the philosophy of Ayurveda.
In addition to nourishing the physical body, we also receive energetic and mental nourishment. This food is absorbed by our subtle body, and is also digested in it. The positive, pure energy obtained from contemplating beautiful landscapes, being in the company of benevolent, bright people, in temples at divine services is redistributed to the higher contours of the subtle body. This subtle type of nutrition gives us inspiration, creative illumination, and deepens spiritual experiences.
The energy received through negative sources of information, which are now in most cases the media, is rough and destructive, absorbed, it will be used for such states as the expression of anger, aggression, impure tendencies of the mind, creating images.
Mental energy is the most important energy, because the state of the whole organism depends on its quality. Positive and light energy saturates all organs and tissues, light images in consciousness make our dreams clear, our mind calm, relax tightness and spasms in the body, remove stress phenomena, help heal both body and psyche diseases.
Negative energies lead to improper functioning of organs, the accumulation of inner fear and unreasonable anxiety, despondency, suppress the light and creative consciousness in a person. By absorbing information and events that are not his destiny, a person himself changes his life for the worse.
Protect yourself from negative information, and you will see what changes will occur in your life, how wonderful and beautiful this world can be.