An ivory netsuke

The famous horsemen and warriors Kagesue and Takatsuna both wanted to be the first to cross the river Uji to fight the enemy stationed on the opposite side. Kagesue was the first to plunge into the water, but Takatsana, riding behind him, called him to tighten the slack girdle of his horse. Kagesue was forced to stop and his companion reached the opposite bank first. Nothing was wrong with the girdle.