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

The morning following the third of the three nights they'd spent together, Noriko smoothed her cotton yukata kimono and tightened its belt over the thin under-kimono she wore for sleep. She pulled a boxwood comb out of the pocket formed by her sleeve and regarded her new husband.


Yuta still slept, a small smile marking the perfect relaxation of his round face. He was kind even when he slept, she thought. She pulled the comb through her long hair and smiled in return. She had no regrets.


Chapter 115