Antique Japanese Wooden Scroll Box painted carved dog Since finding this one

Since finding this one

a wonderfully detailed and rather intimidating looking creature (perfect for stashing --and guarding--some small precious thing--and of just the right scale to evoke a sense of wonder at its fineness

but these are my very favorites of all— one of the first toys designed by renowned Swiss carpenter and designer Kurt Naef (1926–2006)

but I especially love ones like this that open out

these are a German tradition

Antique Japanese Wooden Scroll Box painted carved dog Since finding this oneThis Japanese box would once have held a hanging scroll long since separated from it, but such a beautiful box! Google image can be dangerous useless, but I managed to get what I believe is a correct translation of the label adhered to one short end, indicating the subject of the scroll was the Thirteen Buddhist dieties (though it also seems possible more than one scroll had a life in this box!) In any case, it clearly has a good bit of age, nice warm