Three Raccoon Dogs, late 18th century, Mori Sosen, Japanese, 1747 - 1821, 49 1/2 ¡Ñ 21 5/16 in. (125.73 ¡Ñ 54.13 cm) (image)79 9/16 ¡Ñ 28 in. (202.09 ¡Ñ 71.12 cm) (overall, without roller), Ink and color on silk, Japan, 18th century, Celebrated for his depictions of monkeys, Mori Sosen also excelled at capturing the character of other animals. This painting shows a group of three raccoon dogs (tanuki). The naturalistic posing, one scratching itself, seemingly listening, one directly staring at the viewer and the third open-mouthed with its tongue extended, illuminates Sosen¡¦s personal observations of these wild animals. This may be an interpretation of the Chinese proverb typically illustrating monkeys gesturing 'Hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.'.