This was brought to my attention by Daniel Memmi from University of
Quebec at Montreal.

The city of Sakai in Japan is a very unique town. It was the only
“free town” in Asia during the middle ages when Europe was creating
“free towns” ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgh). The town of Sakai
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai%2C_Osaka) was the only town of
this type in Asia.

Since Sakai was a “free town” it became very wealthy and was a big
trade center in Japan.

So another view of Sakai is that it is an oasis of freedom in an area
where the surrounding ares is controlled by an Emperor.

Other more intellectual folks than me can likely make this much
clearer and better grasp the deep and groovy symbolism that is here.