The Three Wise Monkeys of Toshogu Shrine

You’ve probably heard the proverb “see no evil” or some variation of it. But few know the origin of this phrase or proverb and the fact why it is also associated with monkeys.

This “see no evil” phrase is thought to date back to ancient times specifically during China’s Warring States Period , when Confucius wrote his Anacletas .

Around the 8th century, Buddhist monks brought the proverb to Japan. It was eventually translated to ” mizaru , kikazaru , iwazaru “, meaning ” not see, not hear, say no “. While -zu/-zaru is a common (albeit archaic) suffix used to negate a verb, saru , or as a suffix, -zaru , means “monkey” in Japanese. And that is how this led to the association of the proverb with monkeys.

Historically, the three monkey motif can be found throughout Asia . Some believe that it was brought to China from India via the Silk Road and then to Japan. In the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868, a group of three monkeys were often depicted in Buddhist sculptures , as the companions of the folk deity Shōmen-Kongō .

In 1617, the great Tōshōgu Shrine in Nikkō was built and dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu , the first shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate who was posthumously deified. One of the buildings that make up the complex is the Sacred Stable , which is adorned with an eight-panel sculpture attributed to Hidari Jingorō , a legendary sculptor whose existence is a matter of debate.

The sculpture depicts eight stages of life represented by monkeys . His most notable panel is that of the “Three Wise Monkeys” , where three Japanese macaques appear representing the principle of not seeing (Mizaru) , not hearing (Kikazaru ) and not saying (Iwazaru) . This particular relief was introduced to the Western world during the Meiji era (1868-1912), leading to the coinage of the proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” .

Nikko is very easy to get to by train , including the super- fast Shinkansen or bullet train , making it a comfortable ride from Tokyo. And although it is possible to travel by plane, bus or boat, the train offers the best prices and convenience of all . For an even better price, we recommend traveling with the Japan Railways universal pass called JR PASS , which you can purchase on their website. This pass is purchased before traveling to Japan , arriving at the airport or at any train station , you can pick up your pass with proof of purchase .