mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru
[saru 猿-monkey / "saru": archaic Japanese negative verb conjugation]
The "Three/Four Monkeys" image actually has part of its roots in a statement by Confucius to Yen Hui on propriety (Analects, 12:1)
非禮勿視
非禮勿聽
非禮勿言
非禮勿動
(Do not look at that which is improper. Do not listen to that which is improper. Do not speak of that which is proper. Do not do anything [related to] that which is improper.)
Each of these prohibitions are given form in the actions of three or four monkeys in East-Asian folk painting and sculpture, especially in Japan. The fact that Confucius' greatly-revered (at least by the scholarly-elite ruling classes) words of advice for gentlemen were demonstrated by silly monkeys makes this common folk image even more funny.
Therefore, to identify each of the monkeys, we must juxtapose each part of Confucius' lesson:
Mizaru: The monkey covering his eyes ["Do not look at that which is improper."]
Kikazaru: The monkey covering his ears ["Do not listen to that which is improper."]
Iwazaru: The monkey covering his mouth ["Do not speak of that which is improper."]
The fourth monkey is rarely portrayed; but, when present, it is a monkey with folded arms to demonstrate the final line "Do not do anything that which is improper."
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