SHlGEKO'S DOSSIER: Part of me sees it as a place of disgrace, where samurai surrender their honor to indulge the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet I also know that the man who runs it does so according to his own sense of honor - and he follows a code as strict as that of any clan samurai. If it were not for "Swords Polished': every establishment in the Nightless City would have its own weapons check, with increased chances of theft and loss. Too, samurai walking the streets drunk or under the influence of opium would be armed - a dangerous thought indeed.
I suppose I must say that"Swords Polished" is necessary to the
peace of theLicensed District. It is unfortunate that such a district
is desired, but if it must exist, it is best for it to exist with some
degree of social order.
From Swords Polished it is less than a minute's ride to the
Island Garden, four minutes to the House of Foreign Stories, and
seven minutes to the House of the Morning Star. With adequate
wind, it takes about fifteen minutes to sail from the Little Pier. It
takes twice as long to sail back against the current.