A vintage shikishi card features a minimalist brush painting of the iconic Three Wise Monkeys, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Rendered in bold, expressive ink strokes. Each monkey is depicted with charming simplicity, embodying the timeless proverb with modern Japanese flair.
The calligraphy on the right reads 「三猿の図」(San'en no zu), meaning “Picture of the Three Monkeys”, while the signature and red seal on the left attribute the piece to the artist Takashi 孝. This composition pays homage to the style of Yokoyama Taikan (横山大観, 1868–1958), a pioneering master of modern Nihonga (Japanese-style painting).
Taikan was known for his fluid brushwork and philosophical themes, and this piece reflects that influence through its spontaneous, yet meaningful execution. A refined and culturally rich addition to any Zen-inspired space, Japanese art collection, or meditative interior.
