MONKEYS IN ASIAN ART

ALLSTUDIO NOTES
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KAWANABE Kyosai 1878, Japan

KAWANABE Kyosai 1878, Japan

Ueshima Hozan (1875-1920), detail.

Ueshima Hozan (1875-1920), detail.

Mori Sosen (1747-1821) Japanese Painter, Edo Period

Mori Sosen (1747-1821) Japanese Painter, Edo Period

Lin Shun-Shiung

Lin Shun-Shiung

Twelve Signs Of The Zodiac/Monkey. 1940.

Twelve Signs Of The Zodiac/Monkey. 1940.

MARUYAMA Okyo (1733~1795), Japan

MARUYAMA Okyo (1733~1795), Japan

 The meaning of monkeys in Asian art is extremely complex, having to do with word play both between the sound of the word for monkey and the pictogram for it, with the monkey deities, and with Koshin rituals.  Here is an overview of the complex world of the monkey in Japanese art: http://onmarkproductions.com/html/monkey-koushin-p3.html

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PAINTINGS WITH MONKEYS IN THE MIDDLE AGES