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

"That was truly an inspired idea," Yuta told his wife as they walked together down the path to the bathhouse. Shota, of course, was out in front and the two girls walked together just behind him, with Azuki back in her usual scarf. She wouldn't risk her new wig in the heat and humidity of the bathhouse. Tsuruko walked before Noriko and Yuta with Kojiro. He looked down at her swelling belly with gratitude and pride. Noriko smiled. She liked the gentle and quiet young woman who seemed wiser than her years. She hoped she had a friend in her. Although she knew Tsuruko-san was also a crane, she hadn't seen it since the night of the fight, except reflected in her beautiful kimono, so reminiscent of her crane's feathers. She thought she could come to understand how Yuta lived with all the strangeness that surrounded them.


Chapter 128