Corrupted Silence of Nikkō's Three Mute Monsters
Nikkō Tōshōgū, a renowned shrine located in Tochigi Prefecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is renowned for its majestic shrine buildings. Among the extensive artworks adorning these buildings, a carving of three monkeys has gained particular fame.
This carving, known as 'sanzaru' in Japanese and commonly referred to as the 'Three Wise Monkeys' in English, is located within the shrine precincts. The three monkeys—named mizaru (do not see), kikazaru (do not hear), and iwazaru (do not speak)—are positioned in such a way that they symbolise the moral teaching, 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.'
The carving is one of eight monkey carvings on the stable for sacred horses within the shrine precincts. It is believed that monkeys were thought to be protectors of horses in the context of Nikkō Tōshōgū.
The idea for the Three Wise Monkeys at the stable of the sacred horses is traditionally attributed to the teachings of Confucius, but the specific person who developed the idea at this shrine is not clearly documented.
Nikkō Tōshōgū is a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, and he is buried at this site. The carvings in Tōshōgū, including the carving of the three monkeys, are known for their moral teachings and are popular among those seeking its spiritual atmosphere.
The World Heritage Site Nikkō includes over one hundred buildings associated with two Shinto shrines (Futarasan and Tōshōgū) and the Buddhist temple Rinnoji. The extensive artworks, including the famous carving of the three wise monkeys, make Nikkō Tōshōgū a must-visit destination for art and history enthusiasts.
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