Ape Monkey Pillows
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Description: The three wise monkeys are a Japanese pictorial maxim, embodying the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru (見ざる), "does not see", covering his eyes Kikazaru (聞かざる), "does not hear", covering his ears Iwazaru (言わざる), "does not speak", covering his mouth. Lafcadio Hearn refers to them as the three mystic apes. There are at least two divergent interpretations of the maxim: in Buddhist tradition, it is about avoiding evil thoughts and deeds. In the West, however, it is often interpreted as dealing with impropriety by turning a blind eye.
