言いわ猿ざる

noun

say-no-evil monkey

One of the three wise monkeys (三猿), covering its mouth. Often used in proverbial or decorative contexts.

See also: 三猿

• 日にっ光こう東とう照しょう宮ぐうには、言いわ猿ざる、聞きか猿ざる、見み猿ざるの彫ちょう刻こくがある。

  At Nikko Toshogu, there are carvings of the say-no-evil monkey, hear-no-evil monkey, and see-no-evil monkey.