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1790

Three Puppies

Maruyama Ōkyo

Japanese, 1733 - 1795

Dogs, one of the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac, have always been popular pets in Japan. They symbolize good health, and robust children are commonly described as being healthy as puppies. For this reason it has long been the custom to present new born babies with toy dogs as a charm to ensure their healthy growth.

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Maruyama Ōkyo, Three Puppies, 1790 | Philadelphia Museum of Art