Description:

East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, ca. 19th century CE. A remarkable Japanese tobacco box, or tonkotsu, carved from boxwood in the form of the Three Wise Monkeys: Mizaru ("does not see"), Kikazaru ("does not hear"), and Iwazaru ("does not speak"). All have been skillfully carved with delineated fur and the 2 larger featuring inlaid, dark wood pupils. Iwazaru is wearing a decorative vest carved with various symbols and bears the artist's signature in Japanese script on his posterior. These tobacco boxes were worn by men in a similar fashion as an inro, suspended from a belt or sash. Size of largest (Iwazaru): 2.4" L x 2.5" W x 3.7" H (6.1 cm x 6.4 cm x 9.4 cm)

The three wise monkeys are a Japanese pictorial maxim, embodying the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." There are at least two divergent interpretations of the maxim: in Buddhist tradition, it is about avoiding evil thoughts and deeds. In the West, however, it is often interpreted as dealing with impropriety by turning a blind eye.

Provenance: private Truchas, New Mexico, USA collection, purchased from Cottone Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA in 2007

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#189276

  • Condition: Kikazaru is missing one eye. Some light surface wear throughout, but otherwise all 3 are mostly intact and have a very nice presentation.

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October 5, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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