Claire Youmans first went to Japan in 1992 and was immediately captivated.  After years of travel and study, she continues to be charmed and amazed by a fascinating history and a culture that's both endearingly quirky and entirely unique. She is a retired lawyer who now lives in Tokyo. Her family, including her daughter and two grandsons, live in Seattle, USA.

In 2014, she started Tales of the Meiji Era with The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy's unparalleled blend of historical fantasy in the first book of the series, Coming Home.  She continues exploring the combination of history and folklore to share her love and fascination with a very different country and culture. 

Exciting adventures continue to unfold in this delightful fantastical yet historical world as social and political changes expand, technology explodes, and two very unusual children grow up.  



The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy

Shota held his breath as the soldiers charged up the hill. A few brave birds joined him on his perch in a cedar tree, but most of the birds and animals had fled or taken shelter.


All of these, pike men by the huge pointed spears they carried, had the same banner flying from poles attached to their shoulders. They were leaving! Unless this next group  no, they had the same banner. Shota squinted to read it. Names and crests were different from regular writing, which was hard enough. He made it out, but that didn't help. The banners bore the crest of a major family, but Shota didn't know which of the present combatants belonged to this clan group!


As the soldiers passed, Shota saw the troops' movement was a purposeful one. They were going somewhere, not just retreating. Shota allowed his anxiety to flow over him and off him, only to be replaced by a new one: what should they do next?


Chapter 26