Privately commissioned prints such as this one were known as surimono and were sometimes given to friends as a small New Year gift, somewhat like a modern greeting card. Since they were made according to the special orders of customers, they often included special printing techniques such as the embossing on the fur of the two puppies playing beside a New Year pine tree. The year 1838, written at the left side of the print, was of course a Year of the Dog.

---