This Three Monkeys さんざる dorei clay bell comes from Tsugaike Kogen (栂池高原), a well-known alpine resort area in the Northern Japanese Alps. Folk crafts and small clay bells such as this are often produced as regional souvenirs, reflecting local culture and traditional symbolic motifs.
The piece is arranged vertically on a small wooden base, where several small clay bells are mounted along slender rods. Each bell is hand-painted with expressive faces representing the famous Three Wise Monkeys—見ざる (Mizaru – see no evil), 聞かざる (Kikazaru – hear no evil), 言わざる (Iwazaru – speak no evil). The monkeys are depicted in a playful folk style with rounded forms and simple painted features, giving the piece a lively and humorous character. At the top sits a small gourd-shaped ornament, tied with red cord, adding a traditional decorative accent.
The Three Monkeys motif is deeply rooted in Japanese moral symbolism, originating from the teachings associated with Nikkō Tōshō-gū, where the famous carved monkeys illustrate the virtue of avoiding evil by guarding one’s actions and senses. In folk crafts, this theme represents wisdom, harmony, and a reminder to live with good conduct.
As a dorei (土鈴), each small clay sphere contains a tiny pellet that produces a soft chime when moved. The gentle sound of these bells has traditionally been believed to purify spaces, ward off misfortune, and invite good fortune.
