A lesson learned from two mythical Chinese fishermen...

Today, Boing Boing pointed towards a Netsuke and Inro Flickr pool:

"Netsuke are tiny Japanese sculptures, first appearing in the 17th century, that were attached to traditional robes. They acted as fasteners for Inro, cases that held small objects because the clothing had no pockets."

The British Museum has a collection of over 3300 netsuke, which I've been lucky enough to see. I managed to find my favourite on their website: the 'Ashinage and Tenaga' wooden netsuke from the Japanese Edo Period:



"Two mythical Chinese fishermen, Ashinaga ('Long Legs') and Tenaga ('Long Arms') lived on the sea shore somewhere in northern China. Here they combine forces to catch an octopus. Ashinaga wades through the water with his long legs, while Tenaga stretches for the octopus with his long arms."

The reason it's my favourite?

It has to be because it's a prime example of two people with different abilities (or disabilities) working together towards a common goal.

Cheesy, I know, but the netsuke wood carving is still a simple visualisation of an important lesson for all of us.