No-No Boy Setting & Symbolism

No-No Boy Objects/Places

Jackson Street

The center of the Japanese neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, is Jackson Street. It stretches from the waterfront up the hill, past two train stations, where it ends at a place where the houses are bigger and better, and there is a lake nearby. It is next to Chinatown where there is a great deal of prostitution, gambling, and drinking.

When Ichiro returns to the area he notices that the old clock tower is dirty and unkempt, the street is covered in litter, and the buildings are sagging and have not been painted recently. New stores have replaced the old ones which were quaint and more family-oriented, and now there are pool halls and fast food restaurants.

The Home of Ichiro's Parents

Ichiro's parents live in the back of their grocery store. It is very small with only one bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The bedroom contains the closet which is actually a cardboard wardrobe...
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