This charming vintage figurine of the three wise monkeys 三猿 from Nikkō depicts the iconic trio of the proverbial principle: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” Each monkey is meticulously carved and painted to capture its symbolic gesture with expressive detail and subtle texture.
The three wise monkeys 三猿 originate from Japanese folklore and are famously represented at the Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine, where they appear on a carving depicting the life stages of man. The phrase and imagery later became globally recognized symbols of wisdom, restraint, and ethical conduct.
This piece is marked “Made in Japan” on the underside, indicating its post-war export origin, likely dating from the 1950s–60s, during Japan's golden age of souvenir and omiyage production.
A beloved motif rooted in Japanese and Eastern philosophy, the three monkeys are said to represent a code of conduct and mindful living. Often associated with Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine, the trio has transcended cultural boundaries as a universal symbol of moral wisdom.
