So easygoing, aren t you? goes one song. Give up, do give up, goes another.
Written by balladeer Azenbo Soeda (1872-1944), the songs featured in the film were big hits during the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) eras.
Born in the Kanagawa Prefecture town of present-day Oiso, Soeda satirized politics and society at the height of the Jiyu Minken Undo (movement for civic rights and freedom) of the 1880s, endearing himself to the frustrated and discontented masses. I never have money. You have no money, either, goes one of his ditties. What brought you to this life? To pay taxes and interest.