This is a concise and fascinating early work by Naruse which tackles the issues of tradition against the new. Only the final part flaws the film, possibly becoming too melodramatic when the rest of it has a melancholic mood. Made before the WWII, and when the West would have a greater influence on Japan when the Americans occupied it, its amazing to see the issues of social and gender relationships shown here that would continue and be amplified in the 50s films of directors like Naruse.