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

Noriko returned with a tray bearing a larger jug of warmed sake and set it on one of the tables in the lounge area. Yuta took the larger jug as a sign that she was pleased by his invitation.


"Yes, that would be fine." Yuta joined her there, sitting, as she wouldn't sit before he did. This location would save work for the maid clearing the dining area. He should have thought of that. He poured her a cup of the sake before she could pour his, but she quickly returned the favor.


"Have you always lived in the city?" he asked her after their first cups.


"I was born in Mie," she said, "but came here many years ago to work as a lady's maid in the Shogun's castle. We didn't get to see much of the city from there, even though we were right in the middle of it."


Chapter 107