Genji Yanagisawa, father to Akira Yanagisawa, pounds nails as a carpenter in Tokyo. His physical labor provides an income reflecting the tight financial realities of 1956 post-war Japan. The Yanagisawa household lacks a telephone, a costly luxury at the time. This absence forces Genji to repeatedly borrow the landlady's phone for essential business and personal calls, causing inconvenience for her and his customers. Her reluctance grows with each request, straining their relationship.

Confronted by this practical need, Genji and his family consider selling a cherished family heirloom: a sword embodying their samurai lineage. This sword signifies their historical identity and social standing as descendants of warriors. The potential decision to sell it underscores the conflict between preserving familial heritage and adapting to modern necessities during Japan's reconstruction.

His story highlights the everyday struggles of working-class families in that era, balancing tradition with pragmatic solutions amid scarcity. The period's economic pressures directly shape his household's dynamics and choices.