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Monkey (O Saru): A sign of the Zodiac. In this representation possibly a reference to the story of the Monkey and the Crab in which a crab is tricked out of a rice cake by a deceitful monkey. The crab plants the persimmon seed received from the monkey in exchange for the manju in the hopes that he will enjoys its fruit. The monkey again tricks the crab, eats all the ripe presimmons and then pelts the crab with the hard un-ripe persimmons.
The crab ends up revenging himself on the monkey by enlisting the aid of a bee and an egg. The crab invites the monkey to dine with his family. The monkey accepts and is seated next to the fire in the place of honor. The crab has secreted an egg in the fire that subsequently explodes and scalds the monkey who runs to the kitchen in search of cool water whereupon the bee sets upon him and stings his face! period: Edo material: bone circa: 1850 size: 1-1/2 |