Created by Shochikus cultural film department on behalf of the Ministry of Education this film tells an ironic anecdote juxtaposing the fate of a coopers son with that of the son of a middleclass salaried worker and championing the virtues of honest poverty and diligence An educational film preaching a fablelike message it is however filled with humorous scenes that offset the films didacticism Original director Yoshio Nishio fell ill and was replaced halfway through the shooting by the admired filmmaker Hiroshi Shimizu though finished in May 1931 the film was shelved and never given a general release Shot as a silent film this version of the film features musical accompaniment sound effects and a spoken commentary track by a benshi narrator thus bearing witness to the variety of forms taken by sound film during this transitional period
