May 21, 2025
To:oniisanbomber
Yes! While it's a metaphor for Kohei's procedure, it's also is in sense that the clockmaker may not have literally forgotten how. Perhaps he was simply outpaced by other clockmakers. It is very symbolic of this era in China when they began opening up. Many fell behind.
I believe this chapter (call it an interlude if you'd like) isn't supposed to be taken literally, rather an allegory for those who couldn't keep up in the pursuit of progress. It plays into the themes of societal decay that is present in Kohei's world.
