Around that time, the cutlers claimed that "foreigners" were largely to blame for poor quality merchandise: "When it is remembered that a 'foreigner' was not simply an alien but anyone, Londoner or otherwise, who was not free of the City - a freedom gained through membership of a mistery - the extent of their power to control the trade will be appreciated, " adds Girtin.
Co-written by Xiu and director Hanawa Yukinari, the film suffers an occasional lapse in continuity, but is fascinating both for its evenhanded look at life among Tokyo's alien population, as well as for its attempts to capture visually the rhythm of the city without endings.