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

Azuki swept a dusting of early snow off the gallery of her home with a twig broom. Winter was almost here. Down in the village, she could see the school where Shota even now resented studying Confucian precepts with the other boys. By the stream, she saw people working on the irrigation system and the foundations for the new bathhouse. She so looked forward to that, especially during the icy mountain winters. She smiled as she saw Blackie prance up to Red Wind, who kicked at him and squealed. Red Wind clearly liked Blackie. Azuki thought she'd choose him for her mate come the New Year.


A pot clanged. Hanako-san had stayed with them. Azuki wasn't sure why, after the encounter with the DaiTengu and the Dragon King, though she was happy for it. She lavished both Shota and Azuki with loving attention, doted on Uncle, cooked exceedingly well, and kept her thoughts on the oddities of their existence to herself.


Chapter 50