A humorous ivory netsuke depicting a pair of Dutchmen transposed into the roles of Ashinaga and Tenaga, the legendary long-legged and long-armed companions whose combined abilities symbolise cooperation and mutual dependence.
Here, however, the familiar legend is cleverly subverted. Rather than depicting an equal partnership, the long-legged Dutchman appears to bear not only his own burden but also that of his buffoonish companion, the long-armed Dutchman, who seems incapable of accomplishing even the simplest task, such as fastening the thong of his sandal. The result is a witty inversion of a well-known Japanese theme, transforming a symbol of harmony into a comic commentary on unequal cooperation.
Caricatures of the Dutch are by no means uncommon in netsuke, reflecting both Japan's fascination with and amusement towards the only Europeans permitted regular contact during the Edo period. This interpretation, however, is particularly inventive, employing the Ashinaga and Tenaga legend to reinforce contemporary Japanese stereotypes of the foreigner through visual wit rather than overt exaggeration.
We have undertaken extensive research into this exceptional composition, the results of which are presented in a downloadable study available via the link below.
