Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who was called Inu-kubou (the dog shogun)

Tokugawa Tunayoshi (1646-1709) was the 5th shogun of Tokugawa shogunate.
He was born as the fourth son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun.

Tunayosi is particularly famous for his "Shorui Awaremi no Rei (the laws for pitying all living things)".
This low was to prohibit people to abuse or kill any animals.
He made the law and punished harshly people who violated the law.
Especially Tunayoshi loved dogs, so if people abused dogs, they were severely punished.
Also he made huge shelter of stray dogs in Nakano, Edo.
Therefor he was called "Inu-kubou (the dog shogun)" by people.

His Shorui Awaremi no Rei has bad impression in Japanese context.
In some cases, people punished by the law even only they exterminated vermin.
This was extreme rule, so Tsunayoshi has been regarded as a foolish ruler in long time.

But recently, his achievements are being recognized again.
At the times of Tunayoshi, people had treated animals severely.
He seemed to want to change the attitude of people against animals.
Also he respected Confucianism.
He founded Yushimaseido (the school of Confucianism) in Edo.
He promoted studies to people.

Some theory says Tsunayoshi made the Shorui Awaremi no Rei after a monk told him to protect animals for gaining he a son.
Tsinayoshi had lost his children in their childhood, so he obeyed the advice from the monk.

It is hard to judge his true character today.
However, I guess he have tried to make his nation to better place.