Japan Society is honored to welcome debut author Natalie Anna Jacobsen for a special talk and signing in celebration of the release of her first book, Ghost Train, a Young Adult historical fantasy set in 1877 Kyoto during the early years of the Meiji Restoration.

Ghost Train tells the story of Maru Hosokawa, a samurai daughter now thrust into a difficult new era. With the Meiji Restoration, foreign inventions—trains, electricity and telephones—are introduced, but with them come plagues and demons. Maru’s father, a retired samurai, has laid down his sword and ventures far from home to be a merchant, leaving Maru alone to find work and help rebuild her family. 

And then ghosts start to visit Maru.

They ask her for help to find their murderer: a demon on the loose. Although she flees at first, she can’t outrun her grief over missing her father, the anxiety over her future, nor her destiny. Against a backdrop of summer festivals and rainstorms, Maru must confront authority and her fears, before she becomes the next ghost.

Inspired by true historical events and based on yokai myths, this story was built with guidance by historians and subject matter experts both in Japan and the U.S. and looks to reflect on 19th-century life during the tumultuous, society-altering leadership of Emperor Meiji… with just a few more ghosts.

Attendees of Japan Society’s Natalie Anna Jacobsen talk and signing will be able to purchase copies of Ghost Train at the event or bring books from home for a signing session following the author’s talk.