Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington, is the setting for most of the novel's action. Both Chinatown and Japantown from Henry’s childhood are located in Seattle. As an adult, Henry still lives in Seattle.

The Panama Hotel

The Panama Hotel is the place where items belonging to Japanese families who were sent to interment camps during World War II were stored. Henry is at the hotel when the first items are brought up from the basement. He believes he sees among the things a parasol that once belonged to Keiko. Henry later returns to the hotel where he, his son and his son’s girlfriend find a copy of Oscar Holden’s record. Unfortunately, this record is broken. It was on the steps of the Panama Hotel where Henry met Ethel, the woman who became his wife, while he was waiting for Keiko to meet him.

Lake View Cemetery

Lake...