|
|
|
|
|
PAGE ONE OF FOUR
 | 2 | 3 | 4
MONKEY IN JAPAN
PAGE ONE- STORY SNAPSHOT
Calculating and intelligent, yet
mischievous, vain, and restless.
Akin to the human spirit and passions.
Common motif in Buddhist art & literature.
ORIGINS
India: Hindu Lore (Pre-Buddhist) & Buddhism
China: Zodiac Lore (Pre-Buddhist) & Buddhism
Japan: Buddhist and Shinto Lore
Last Update: Sept. 6, 2006
Added more on Shoumen Kongou
|
|
|
|
Wood Carving, 1646 AD
San-en = Three Monkeys = 
Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil
Iwazaru, Kikazaru, Mizaru = 
Treasure of Hase Dera Temple in Kamakura, Japan
|
STORY SNAPSHOT
QUICK SUMMARY OF ALL MONKEY PAGES
|
|
Koushin Stone Statue
1808 AD, Kamakura
Shoumen Kongou
standing atop
three monkeys
See Page Three
|
|
These four pages focus on monkey lore and monkey deities in India, China, and Japan -- with a special emphasis on Japanese Tendai Shinto-Buddhism. They also present many examples of monkey artwork found in Japan. In both Hindu lore (India) and Zodiac divination (China), we find examples of monkey mythology that predate the arrival of Buddhism. The latter originated around 500 BC in India and took hold in China sometime in the 1st-2nd centuries AD. By the time Buddhism reached Japan (mid 6th century AD), the monkey and monkey lore were already common elements in Buddhist legend, art, and iconography. Thereafter, monkey worship in Japan grew greatly in popularity, especially among practitioners of Taoist Koushin rites introduced from China and among followers of Tendai Shinto-Buddhism, the latter centered around the syncretic Tendai shrine-temple multiplex located at Mt. Hiei (Shiga Prefecture, near Kyoto). Some scholars believe the famous three monkeys -- speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil -- originated in Japan in association with Mt. Hiei and the sacred monkey of the Hie Shrine (Hie Jinja 日吉神社; also called Hiyoshi Taisha 日吉大社).
The central deity at Mt. Hiei is Sannou 山王 (lit. Mountain King; also spelled Sano, Sanno, Sanoo), an appellation given to all Shinto deities protecting this sacred mountain. Sannou's messenger (tsukai 使い) is the monkey. The Sannou deity is broadly conceived, for Sannou actually represents three important Buddha (Shaka, Yakushi, and Amida), who in turn represent the three most important Shinto KAMI (deities) of Hie Shrine. These three Kami are Omiya (大宮), Ninomiya (二宮), and Shoushinshi (聖真子). Collectively, there are 21 Sannou deities at Mt. Hiei, each associated with a specific Buddhist counterpart. These manifestations of the Sannou deity are called "Hie Sannou Gongen" (日吉山王権現 Mountain King Avatars of Hie Shrine). Moreover, the number three is of tremendous importance in Tendai doctrine. This supports the notion (still contested) that the three-monkey motif originated in Japan in association with Mt. Hiei and Tendai Shinto-Buddhism.
Monkey worship in Japan peaked in the Edo Era, but has declined significantly since then. Even so, the legacy of monkey faith is easily spotted in modern Japan. One can still find old stone statues with monkey motifs in many Japanese localities -- statues that are weathering away, unprotected from the elements. Photos of these statues are presented on Page Three. Moreover, certain Japanese shrines (Hie Jinja locations nationwide) and temples (Shitennoji in Osaka) continue even today to perform the Koushin rites for those who still believe (most are elderly Japanese), and lucky charms featuring the monkey are still easily found at Japanese temples, shrines, and trinket shops. The color RED is often associated with the monkey, for it signifies the dual role of the monkey as protector against disease as well as patron of fertility.
PAGE STRUCTURE:
These pages are organized in four categories to improve readability.
- Page One. Story Snapshot. This page! Quick summary of story.
- Page Two. India & China. Pre-Buddhist monkey mythology. Focus on Hindu lore (India) and Zodiac cosmology (China). Also explores subsequent Buddhist monkey lore in both nations. Key topics include the Hindu legend of Hanuman, various stories from the Jataka, the Chinese novel "Journey to the West," and the Chinese parable "Catching the Moon's Reflection."
- Page Three. Japan. The central page of this report on the monkey. Explores monkey lore and monkey deities in Japan. Features many photos of extant Japanese artwork, with a special focus on Japanese Tendai Shinto-Buddhism, Mt. Hiei, Sannou, Koushin, the three worms, Shoumen Kongou, and the three monkeys. Highlights of this page include:
- Page Four. Sources. Bibliography and targeted resources for learning more. Also includes a special section on Chinese and Japanese monkey adages and phrases.
 JUMP TO PAGE TWO
|
|
