KÕSHIN

 EXECERPT FROM THIS BOOK: A HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN JAPAN (INCLUDING FORMOSA), BY BASIL CHAMBERLAIN,F.R.G.S. AND W.B. MASON, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY AND LATE OF THE IMPERIAL  JAPANESE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS. WITH THIRTY MAPS AND PLANS AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. NINTH EDITION, REVISED THROUGHOUT. LONDON. JOHN MURRAY, ALLEMARLE STREET. YOKOHAMA, SHANGHAI,- KELLY&WALSH, LIMITED-HONKONG, SINGAPORE.1913

KÕSHIN 

IS

KÖSHIN a deification of that day of the month which corresponds to the 57th term of the Chinese sexagenary cycle and is called in Japanese Ka-no-e-Saru.

 This, being the day of the Monkey is represented by three monkeys- (sam biki zaru), called respectively by a play upon words: mi-zaru, kika-zaru, and iwa-zaru. That is the "blind monkey", the "deaf monkey" and the "dumb monkey".

 Stone slabs with these three monkeys in relief are among the most usual objects of devotion met with on the roadside in the rural districts of Japan the idea being that this curious triad will neither see hear nor speak any evil.