A New Cape No. 7 Story — Masahiro Mitsui Finds His Mother’s Home in Penghu Using an 80-Year-Old Black-and-White Photo

▲ Japanese man Masahiro Mitsui holds a black-and-white photo of his mother taken when she was six, as he embarks on a “roots-tracing journey” in Penghu. (Photo / Provided by Penghu National Scenic Area Administration)

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin, Taipei

A black-and-white photo of an old house in Penghu has emotionally connected a middle-aged Japanese man with his 86-year-old mother for decades. Recently, this man embarked on a 2,000-kilometer journey across the sea to trace his roots. Guided solely by the unique architectural features in the photo and his mother’s recollections, he finally found the long-lost land buried in memory. This is a true story — a Penghu version of “Cape No. 7”!

The story centers aroundMasahiro Mitsui, president of Japan’s Rakuzan Magazine, and his mother. On the afternoon of February 21, Mitsui flew to Penghu to find the old house where his mother once lived and relive those precious memories. According to Mitsui,his grandfather was a high-ranking officer stationed in Penghu, and the family lived in a grand residence. Although Mitsui’s mother returned to Japan, she never forgot Penghuand often told him stories about it. Inspired by these tales, Mitsui decided to use the old photos left by his mother to find the land that had stayed in her heart.

Huang Chang-ming, chairman of the Republic of China Seal Engraving Association and a friend from Taiwan who assisted Mitsui, said that when Mitsui showed him the photo of his mother, Huang felt the house in the picture looked familiar — having attended multiple calligraphy events in Penghu. He then speculated thatthe house in the photo was located next to Zhongzheng Hall in Duxing 10 Village, Magong City, Penghu. After comparing the photo with current images of the renovated site provided by the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration, the match was confirmed. Mitsui was thrilled and immediately set off on his dream-seeking trip.

When Mitsui arrived at Duxing 10 Village with a Japanese-speaking guide and saw the house where his grandparents and mother once lived, he was deeply moved. He also expressed gratitude that the local buildings in Penghu had retained their original appearance, allowing him to see the “home” his mother had described.


▲ Masahiro Mitsui finds the house where his mother once lived, overwhelmed with emotion. (Photo / Provided by Penghu National Scenic Area Administration)