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

"If you wish, your majesty," Yuta replied, recoiling and trying hard not to show it even as his curiosity rose along with his excitement. To visit the Dragon King's undersea palace? "I am honored."


While the children seemed to think nothing of traveling with Renko, he'd never done it himself. Accepting the impossible had become second nature to him by now. The children were themselves dual-natured and they were all still learning. He was, however, a mere human constantly thrust into a different and fantastic world.


"I see I had better explain," the Dragon King said through the Wishing Rock. "Has Azuki-san told you about when she met my daughter?"


"She has told me something." Yuta knew the Princess had been disobedient in rescuing Azuki from a large storm at sea, but he didn't know how much the Dragon King knew about the details of that episode, or the one that followed it, when the Princess met Shota.


Chapter 90