This whimsical hand-painted ink drawing is an original artwork from Japan, dating to the Taisho or early Showa period (1912–1940). Acquired from a kimono dyer's factory, this piece likely served as a practice exercise for artisans to hone the precise brushwork required for textile production. Measuring approximately 11 inches by 15 inches (28 cm x 38 cm), the drawing is executed on delicate, translucent rice paper and remains in good condition, featuring authentic workshop characteristics such as paper seams and light age-related staining.
The composition features three anthropomorphic monkeys dressed in traditional Japanese robes (haori), performing as a musical ensemble. On the left, a monkey plays a transverse flute (fue); in the center, another holds a small hand drum (tsuzumi); and on the right, a third monkey sits before a larger floor drum (taiko), holding two beaters. The figures are rendered with fine black ink outlines, with soft grey washes used to detail the textures of their fur and the voluminous folds of their garments. This playful subject matter, often associated with the Sannō Gongen or popular folk tales, reflects the lively and often humorous decorative trends of the early 20th century.