Japanese wood pattern for making papier mâché monkey masks. The monkey (sari) is often associated with longevity from a popular Chinese fable in which Sun Wu Kong, the monkey king, steals a peach of immortality. The Queen Mother Of The West once every 1,000 years has a Peach Banquet in which she invites the immortals to her garden parties to celebrate the ripening of the peaches. The monkey king snuck into the party and stole a peach and upon eating it became immortal. Papier mâché masks are popular at shrines during festivals and market days. 19th century
