It is believed dogs were domesticated as early as 10,000 years ago in Japan and have long been regarded as protectors of children and expectant mothers. During the Edo Period (1608-1968) , Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1680-1709), who was born in the Chinese zodiac year of the dog, became so obsessed with protection of all animals, but dogs in particular, he issued a law in 1687 called Shorui Awaremi-no Rei (Edicts on Compassion for Living Things), which strictly prohibited killing of any animals and dogs received special protections. Kennels were set up for feeding and boarding an estimated 100,000 dogs. For this, he became known as the Dog Shogun and his edict has become known as the worst laws in the feudal history of mankind”. Folk dog dolls, called Inu Hariko, were crafted using wheat paste mixed with kiri wood sawdust (similar to papier-maché) and molded into small dogs, often reclining and often made into boxes.before being coated with gofun (crushed oyster shell) and lacquered with whimsical, colorful images. This Japanese ‘inu hariko’ lacquered gilt box dates to the Middle Edo Period and is painted with a pine, fans, and a crane on a gilt ground. The interior is pearl-white. This piece would have been made in a mirrored pair and likely would most likely have been given as a wedding gift to encourage children. Japan, c. 1780 4 inches long