|
|
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
| Based on the three wise monkeys sculpture found on the door to the sacred shrine of Tosho-gu in Nikko, Japan, our sculptures of the see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil monkeys add a wise statement to the home and garden; the impressions left behind the theme has since grown to include many other animal statues including cherub statues. Please email us for more information on our see no evil statues. |
 |
|
List Price: $59.95
Your Price: $41.00
You Save: $18.95 (32 %)
|
|
|
|
Happy Ho Tai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, was a jolly monk who is known to bring luck and fortune. This set is made of brass.
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $85.00
Your Price: $59.95
You Save: $25.05 (29 %)
|
|
|
|
Our Three Wise Monkeys will watch over you in this small candle holder designed for the desk. Bronze.
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $79.00
Your Price: $62.45
You Save: $16.55 (21 %)
|
|
|
|
The 3 Wise Monkeys have proven to be very popular statues in illustrating the famous proverbial phrase, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil".
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $93.00
Your Price: $74.50
You Save: $18.50 (20 %)
|
|
|
|
Add a statement with our three little buddha figurines. Aluminum.
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $119.50
Your Price: $75.00
You Save: $44.50 (37 %)
|
|
|
|
Whimsical set of three joyful frogs depicting the adage of See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil. Resin.
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $250.00
Your Price: $199.95
You Save: $50.05 (20 %)
|
|
|
|
The popular Three Wise Monkeys draws constant interest from a lovely sculpture found on the Toshogu shrine. Resin.
|
|
|
 |
|
List Price: $6,590.00
Your Price: $4,550.00
You Save: $2,040.00 (31 %)
|
|
|
|
The 3 Wise Monkeys have proven to be very popular statues in illustrating the famous proverbial phrase, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil". Bronze.
|
|
|
The Three Wise Monkeys Add Whimsical Interest
Ever heard of the saying – see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil? It is an age old adage that has been borrowed from Japan. In the 17th century, a Japanese sculptor named Hidari Jongoro was credited for sculpting some of the finest Japanese pieces like the nemuri-neko (Sleeping cat) located above the Kuguri-mon Gate and another which includes a shrine, Nikko Tosho-gu designed to honor the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Although stories amount that he may be a fictitious sculptor, there are claims that he may be instrumental in creating the three wise monkeys which form part of this shrine. It is said that the stable of the shrine’s sacred horses is where the carving of the three wise monkeys is located. The concept of the three wise monkeys is based on Chinese and Japanese philosophy where a monkey is used to depict the life cycle of a man.
Legend has it that Jingoro was an apprentice for the Chief Architect Hokyo Yoheiji Yusa who worked for the Imperial Court of Kyoto, Japan. Stories tell that Jingoro lost his right hand but never gave up and learnt to work with his left hand instead. The three wise monkeys which are said to hold an importance in the Shinto faith, are testament to his ability in creating beautiful sculptures and artistry. He created eight panels for the Tosho-gu shrine of which the three wise monkeys are said to reside in the second panel.
Sometimes called the “three mystic apes”, the three wise monkeys are based on the familiar Japanese monkey called Japanese macaques and bear the influence of the Tendai philosophy which draws from Mahayana Buddhism. The panel shows Mizaru (monkey) covering its eyes to mean seeing no evil; Kikazaru covering its ears to mean hear no evil; and Iwazaru covering its mouth to mean speak no evil. Much of the source for this sculpture is said to be attributed to the Analects of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, who illustrated the “see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil” proverb in the following saying:
“Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.”
Some say there is a fourth monkey which is attributed to the three wise monkeys. It goes by the name of Shizaru meaning “do no evil” and is often seen holding its genitals or crossing its arms. Many have claimed that the three wise monkeys were largely influenced by Buddhism which shared its roots with Hinduism. The general idea of the monkeys is that mankind should not indulge and partake in evil hence the idea that you should not speak evil, hear evil or do evil. One should not gossip and indulge in speaking evil against another, hear evil of any sorts that could do harm to another or see evil that can cause harm to the human psyche. Because of the popularity of the three wise monkeys, many cultures have incorporated the meaning delivered by Japan’s three wise monkeys into everyday life.
The three wise monkeys have been translated also into other animal forms. Some sculptors create humor by using pigs to convey the meaning of the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” adage. Sometimes, statues of Buddha are also used to create this impression. Whatever it be, it is not unusual to give the three wise monkeys as gift ideas for friends and family for a touch of humor and for expressing whimsical interest in the garden. Some large organizations also purchase large bronze sculptures of the three wise monkeys to add character to their landscape suggesting their belief in doing the right thing for society’s interest.
C. Keller
March 12, 2017 |
|
|