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

Master Peng sat on the dais of the Tokyo dojo watching ten pairs of students essay a double kata, a formal progression of movements designed to strengthen and reinforce training in the carefully planned movements of martial arts. His exceptional hearing picked up footsteps on the path leading to the side door. He glanced across to see it slide open.


A most peculiar looking individual stepped in.


Suddenly, Master Peng dropped to the floor in a full prostration, arms extended forward, hands and head pressed to the floor.


Without knowing why, all his students immediately followed suit.


This very tall individual, who wore a Western suit and an enormous top hat and hadn't taken off his bronze-green boots, extended his faintly green right hand with its rather long nails towards the students.


"Peng," he said, nodding to the Master, "Get up. All of you," he waved at the students, "over there."


Chapter 173