Amazing Carved Walnut Shell Cat Family with Walnut Dish watch holder I believe the animal depicted

I believe the animal depicted on the lid of this beautiful presumed Japanese lacquer box is a Shi-shi or Shisa dog-- a creature resembling a cross between a lion and a dog that derives from Okinawan mythology and is perceived to be a ward protecting from evils

and wisely so

Part of one of his feet has chipped off

The image itself is in great condition

observation and patience

Amazing Carved Walnut Shell Cat Family with Walnut Dish watch holder I believe the animal depictedOh my! I love little carved peach pit baskets, but they certainly pale in comparison to this fantastic tiny family of creatures carved from walnut shells! I'd guess they are meant to be cats or tigers (with the natural grain of the shells giving them black stripes), with these terrific pointed ears, red painted mouths, and long arching tails, which function like handles on their backs! Plus a hollowed out half walnut shell to pile them into, with an