When eighteen-year-old Keiko Yamada’s father dies unexpectedly, he leaves behind a one way ticket to Japan, an unintelligible death poem about powerful Japanese spirits and their gigantic, beast-like Guardians, and the cryptic words: “Go to Japan in my place. Find the Gate. My camera will show you the way.”
Alone and afraid, Keiko travels to Tokyo, determined to fulfill her father’s dying wish. There, beneath glittering neon signs, her father’s death poem comes to life. Ancient spirits spring from the shadows. Chaos envelops the city, and as Keiko flees its burning streets, her guide, the beautiful Yui Akiko, makes a stunning confession--that she, Yui, is one of a handful of spirits left behind to defend the world against the most powerful among them: a once noble spirit now insane. Keiko must decide if she will honor her father’s heritage and take her rightful place among the gods.
Keith Yatsuhashi was born in 1965 in Boston, MA. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1989 and is currently the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Keith was a competitive figure skater for ten years, winning the U.S. National Junior Dance Championships in 1984, a bronze medal in the 1983 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and a silver medal in 1984. In addition to his love of writing, Keith enjoys many hobbies such as golf, reading, and playing football and hockey with his sons. Keith currently lives in Norfolk, MA with his wife, Kathleen and three children.
This book bubble isn't exactly long or exciting, but it IS important. This is about names, most notably, the book's title. Originally, I titled my book, "The Shields of the Righteous'. My independent editor, the incredible Lorin Oberweger of Free-Expression.com, thought it was to fantasy generic. She asked me to dig deep and find something more interesting.
I stumbled on Kojiki by accident. Years ago, I went to a concert by Japanese new-age artist Kitaro. It was part of his Kojiki tour. One day, while looking for music, I came across it, read the liner notes about the Kojiki, and voila. Side note: people have confused my novel with the actual myth. In the future, I need to better distinguish between the two for marketing purposes.
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