Monkeys Playing on a Stone Lantern, early 19th century, Mori Sosen, Japanese, 1747 - 1821, 38 1/4 x 14 1/2 in. (97.16 x 36.83 cm) (image), Ink and color on silk, Japan, 19th century, Like artists of the Maruyama and Shij? schools, Sosen based his style on close observation of nature. Monkeys were his favorite subject and he is said to have lived in the mountains for three years in order to observe them in their natural habitat. Later in life he even adopted the art name 'Sosen' which means 'magic monkey' or 'monkey wizard.'.