I would like to thank the village of Hidaka for graciously hosting me—while characters and events have been fictionalized, the locations and charm of this village have not. I’d like to thank the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme for creating a valuable bridge of cultural exposure; my insightful editor, Angie Chen; my agent, Michelle Brower; my akai ito and first editor in everything I write, Rebecca; my children, Elliott and Anson, the most affectionate obstacles a writer could have; my mother, who read (and praised) anything I put in front of her; Michiru Imanishi, Chieko Bramhall, Chisa Nagoshi Enyeart, and, most important, Fumi Okita, for checking my Japanese and keeping me connected; and, last of all, the crows—who, never flitting, still are sitting, still are sitting.