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

"Psst. Shota-san!" Renko whispered. He stopped before entering the workroom to listen.


"I spoke to Mother," Renko said. "We can come and bring our drawings. I don't know what I'll tell Azuki-san, now that I'm sharing a room with her. We can go and be gone only minutes, but if she knows I'm going to see Mother, she'll want to come."


"What's keeping you two?" Noriko asked as she came up behind them. "Aren't you going to work some more?"


"Oh, nothing, Aunt," Shota said innocently as he hurried into the workroom, Renko right behind him.


Noriko shook her head. Unlike her husband, she had previous experience with children. These two were up to something. She shrugged and followed them in to take her place at the mechanical loom. At least she was getting exercise. What they were up to was probably perfectly innocent anyway. She went to the mechanical loom and started working the pedals. She enjoyed the exercise, but it was a tough workout.


Chapter 133