My two littlest and I are wrapping up a four night visit to Seattle, my dad’s hometown. We head back tomorrow.
I had hoped to take a number of photos during the trip… but thievery occurred on the first day. While Jack had brought along my backup Canon DSLR to use, a thief absconded with my primary Canon camera on the first day.
Fortunately, with my last resort – my cameraphone – I snapped a photo of the thief, caught red-handed with the goods in her hands:
Yes, it was my Little Cake Boss Diva. I felt so bad turning her over to my good friend Trooper Gar of the Washington State Patrol… but he was kind enough to allow her to be released back into the custody of her old man.
But indeed, she took control of my camera over the four days. Of course, just like when I escort her to the mall, I end up merely being her porter, lugging around her camera when there is nothing for her to shoot.
But I had one personal goal: to visit my dad’s old Seattle neighborhood for the first time, children be willing. I wanted to put together a “100 Year Family Photo Anniversary and Recreation” of sorts.
Dad and all his siblings (except Aunt Michie) were born in Seattle between 1910 and 1925 then raised in the Hotel Fujii at 620 S. King Street. The hotel is no longer standing, having been replaced with the Hing Hay Park on the very corner Dad frequently mentioned: King and Maynard.
While this will be my very first try at recreating, the final images will hopefully be superimposed upon one another to show the then and now. I can’t do the superimposing here at the hotel as my tablet doesn’t have the necessary editing software; the two stand alone images above will have to do for now . The color photograph of my two kids above are straight out of the camera.
Coincidentally, at the end of our “Underground Seattle Tour” and in the gift shop, we came across “Lost Seattle”, the book in which my grandfather’s barbershop photo was featured.
We thought that was pretty cool.
Masako and Spam Musubi 
You and your offspring are models of the family values and respectable citizens that most of us should be. I have to commend you on your child-rearing skills, Koji [But What? NO Cake? ] You look as though all had a great time, regardless of who held the camera!!
Too kind, gpcox… Too kind. But if you ever make it over here, you can have all the desserts from scratch you can eat! 🙂
And I’m not fat enough, eh?! 😈
Do you know this site? Seems like a very nice fella, likes history [so can’t be all bad, eh?],? Maybe you two could play a round of golf when you’re on Leyte….
https://photoniompong.wordpress.com/
Love to but we will only have three full days there; a lot of time will be spent on the move. Of the eight night trip for me, five will be traveling as I have to fly from here. 😖 The goal is to trek out into the jungle – sans rifle, helmet, ammo, and back pack… like your dad and my uncle 70 years ago. 😀
A wonderful pair of photographs…then and now. Thanks for sharing them..
Thank you always for your readership, sir. Very kind.
I have enjoyed this very much.
It makes me happy knowing that, sir! Thank you.
Pretty cool indeed.
Thanks, Russ!
I love that you did this Koji. Being where they were. It’s like the essence of ‘then’ is mingling with the now. It feels good.
Thanks, Chatter Master… but I do wish I could go back and re-shoot them. Perhaps on a Sunday when the streets may be a tad clearer.
Then we will see the comparisons. 🙂
What an amazing trip for you and your kids to make that connection with the earlier generations. Lovely old photo too.
Thank you, Hilary!
Nice story, really sorry to hear about your camera…
But rest assured, thievery is alive & well in Japan too.
I had a $2000 laptop, Iphone, passport, wallet, credit cards, ect… lifted at Haneda airport a few years back.
You have a great family!
You got hit at Haneda?!
Koji, you are doing your kids a great favor, not only by spending time with them, but teaching them about their heritage, (and about cameras).
Thanks, sir… but they are learning on their own aside from a few pointers. Frankly, I think Brooke has a better eye than me. 🙂
Cuter too.
Lol!
I’m glad you could identify the ‘thief’ 🙂 It’s a beautiful and touching post.
写真を撮ること本当に出来ませんでしたよ！携帯で撮るのしか無かった！
それは大変！でも、贅沢な悩みですね（笑）
Love the then-and-now picture. And the thievery–you had me going!
LOL, Jacqui! Didn’t mean to do that…but she did “own” the camera those days!
Good of you to share your camera and family history with your children, Koji. It sounds to me like the photography gene is strong in your family. 🙂 I am going to take a couple of months break from blogging starting next week. We have five grandsons descending on us and after that I am planning on a road trip. See you in September. –Curt
Sir… I didn’t “share” my camera with Brooke! LOL And I shall be sending warm thoughts your way since your grandkids will be there…24/7! BTW, I’m so old, Jack and Brooke could be my grandkids!
Laughing here, Koji. There are times when you just have to admit defeat. As for old, let me tell you about it. –Curt
I was gonna book her in the gray-bar hotel, but you paid the freight so I cut her loose. Next time its Alcatraz! LOL give me some more lead time next trip and I’ll cut loose and head north.
Alcatraz is a good choice for my trouble maker!!! Lol
Such a good dad! 😀