SHOGUN Prologue. Storm and Reef. Book One: 1. (p. 25) Blackthorne wakes up in Anjiro. Blackthorne meets Father Sebastio. Omi kills a peasant. Trying to get the rutters. Meeting survivors. Mura forces Blackthorne to take a bath. 2. (p. 53) First meeting with Yabu, who snuck out of Yedo to meet Blackthorne. Yabu interrogates Blackthorne. Blackthorne intimidates Sebastio. Blackthorne defiles a crucifix. Omi suggests to Yabu that the crew can be used. Blackthorne and crew put in cellar. Blackthorne remembers his bath. "You will begin to act like decent human beings." One of the crew is to die, and they are to choose. 3. (p. 67) Yabu steals the muskets. How Yabu heard about the ship. Background about the political situation. Yabu gets a massage from Suwo. Suwo tells about the origin of Yabu's Murasama blade. Suwo refrains from killing Yabu. The crew draws straws, Vinck is the loser. 4. (p. 83) Blackthorne defies the samurai, they capture one, but take Pieterzoon. Yabu meditates while Pieterzoon is tortured. 5. (p. 98) Kiku's night with Yabu. Funeral pyre of Pieterzoon. Blackthorne tries to give the prisoner water, but he tries to suicide. 6. (p. 110) Blackthorne is taken out of the pit. Blackthorne confronts Omi and Fr. Sebastio. Omi takes Croocq, and Blackthorne agrees to behave. Omi pisses on Blackthorne. Omi suggests Blackthorne be taught Japanese. Yabu puts Omi in charge of the crew. "The Waiting Barbarian." Omi suggests Yabu keep the ship. Toranaga's galley arrives. 7. (p. 119) Toda Hiro-matsu arrives in galley. Yabu realizes he's been betrayed. Toranaga confiscates the ship and all its contents. Yabu insists the ship is a gift to Toranaga. Hiro-matsu orders Yabu to return with him to Osaka. H. orders Yabu to send Blackthorne to Osaka as well. Blackthorne sees Omi and Kiku talking. Flashback of how Blackthorne came to work for the Dutch. Blackthorne meets Rodrigues as he is forced into Hiro-matsu's galley. Rodrigues agrees to help Blackthorne retrieve his gear. They row to the Erasmus, intimidate the guards. The rutters are gone. Omi lets the crew out of the pit. Kiku and Omi together. Omi's wife Midori and Omi's shrewish mother meet Kiku. 8. (p. 157) Voyage to Osaka. Rodrigues questions Blackthorne about the rutter. Blackthorne takes the watch. They steer for shore to avoid a coming storm. Flashback to Sebastio giving Rodrigues a sealed package for Alvito. Blackthorne almost goes overboard. Blackthorne given the helm. They escape the rocks. Rodrigues washed overboard. They make harbor. Blackthorne faces down Hiro-matsu to go after Rodrigues. Yabu asks to lead the shore party. 9. (p. 173) They find Rodrigues. Blackthorne almost falls and he realizes Yabu has been ordered to keep him safe. Blackthorne hooks Yabu into going after Rodrigues. (Yabu was on deck rowing). (Yabu decides he must control the sea and the Anjin). Yabu falls the last twenty feet. Yabu reaches Rodrigues and realizes he's still alive. The tide comes in; Yabu prepares to die; Blackthorne tries to find a ledge. They make a rope of kimonos. A samurai jumps to attract Yabu's attention. They are rescued finally when ropes arrive from the ship. Book Two: 10. (p. 187) Rest of voyage to Osaka; superiority of Japanese medicine. Rodrigues gives more background on the Taiko and the Jesuits. Blackthorne sees Osaka Castle for the first time. Blackthorne sees Grays (Ishido's men) for the first time. They go through the maze of Osaka Castle, enter Toranaga's keep. (Hiro-matsu has heard that Onishi and Kiyama, the Christian daimyos, may be about to defect.) 11. (p. 198) Blackthorne meets Toranaga, who is tending a falcon. Blackthorne doesn't abase himself, but bows and sits. Alvito (Tsukku-san) introduces himself. Toranaga questions Blackthorne; about Christianity, his voyage, etc. "There are no mitigating circumstances when it comes to rebellion." "Unless you win." (Flashback to Alvito's worries; the Jesuits have the rutters.) Ishido arrives, interrupting the interview. Toranaga sends Blackthorne to prison. 12. (p. 214) Ishido and Toranaga spar over Toranaga's ambitions. Background about history; Goroda, a minor daimyo, became Dictator but was assassinated by one of his generals; Nakamura, his chief vassal, becomes Kwampaku, then Taiko, then dies (a year ago.) The Council requests Ochiba's presence in Osaka immediately. Ishido insults the nobles; Usagi prepares to kill him but restrains himself; Ishido was hoping he would die. Toranaga pronounces sentence on Usagi. 13. (p. 219) Toranaga muses; vows Blackthorne will never leave. Toranaga and Hiro-matsu discuss Blackthorne; they realize the Portuguese have lied to them on several counts. Kiri-chan, Toranaga's mistress, is introduced. (How Toranaga met Kiritsubo, and how he became an ally of Nakamura.) Hiro-matsu urges Toranaga to become Shogun; he evaluates the other regents, rejecting them all. Toranaga sends a message to Sudara saying he will leave in four days. Toranaga refuses Hiro-matsu's request that his granddaughter Fujiko be allowed to die (wife of Usagi.) Description of "Crimson Sky." 14. (p. 228) Blackthorne in prison. Fight over food and water. Blackthorne meets the Franciscan, Fr. Domingo. Fr. Domingo, mistaking him for a Spaniard, fills him in. about the Black Ship, the activities of the Jesuits, etc. Fr. Domingo reveals that there is no prison, only death. Tells about the Martyrdom at Nagasaki, and more about history, teaches Blackthorne some more Japanese. Blackthorne is called. 15. (p. 242) Grays take Blackthorne out of the prison. (Flashback to death of Alban Caradoc.) Grays take Blackthorne through the city; cleanliness of Japan. Ambush of Grays by "Grays" (bandits) in the forest. Yabu rescues Blackthorne from the bandits. Blackthorne demonstrates his Japanese. 16. (p. 252) Ishido and Toranaga argue; Ishido was supposedly going to take Blackthorne to Yaemon, but the Bandits were actually his men. (Japanese methods of time.) Scheming; Toranaga has Ishido's mother hostage; the meeting of the regents is postponed due to Kiyama's "illness." (Chinese astrologer's predictions about deaths of Toranaga and Ishido.) Hiro-matsu predicts that Toranaga will be impeached. Kiri and Mariko meet; we get Mariko's history; her father was the assassin of Goroda, her husband Buntaro is Hiro-matsu's son; Mariko is thirty, and these events happened sixteen years ago. Mariko is to interpret for Toranaga and Blackthorne Blackthorne meets Mariko; he is to be interviewed by Toranaga and Yaemon in a tea-house. Mariko speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and Latin. Blackthorne winks at the Heir. Blackthorne is questioned about England, and draws a world map. Blackthorne tells how he got the rutter. Blackthorne admits he likes baths. Blackthorne tells about the Pope dividing the world. Yodoko, widow of the Taiko, arrives. 17. (p. 277) Yodoko is sent to fetch Yaemon by Ishido. Genjiko is pregnant. (Ochiba's sister Genjiko is married to Sudara; she is a defense against Ochiba) Toranaga's consort Sazuko is pregnant. Yodoko urges Toranaga to take supreme power; he demurs. She proposes that Toranaga marry Ochiba. (History of Ochiba, the Taiko, and how Yaemon was born.) 18. (p. 284) An Amida assassin enters Toranaga's keep. He kills three guards then encounters Kiri. She drops a tray, alerting everyone. The assassin attacks Blackthorne, but is thwarted and kills himself. (Toranaga deliberately sent Blackthorne to prison to meet Fr. Domingo; and arranged the ambush that freed him) Yabu meets with Toranaga, who asks him about how to contact the Amida Tong. Toranaga offers Yabu Suruga (Ikeya Jikkyu's fief) and Totomi as well, if he will become Toranaga's vassal. Ishido offered him Suruga. Yabu suggests a regiment of five hundred gun-samurai, and Blackthorne as teacher, with Mariko to teach him Japanese. Toranaga agrees, and they piss on it. Hiro-matsu is aghast that Toranaga would agree to such a plan. 19. (p. 301) Fr. Alvito goes to see the Father-Visitor, Carlo dell'Aqua, who is meeting with Captain-General Ferriera. Toranaga is holding up the departure of the Black Ship, due to Blackthorne's revelations of how much the Portuguese are gauging Japan on the silk trade. Ferriera declares that Blackthorne should be killed, and Toranaga ignored. The Jesuits disagree, and an argument ensues over whether Ferriera will interfere in Japan's internal politics. Ferriera fears any attack, particularly by the Erasmus. Ferriera leaves, and Alvito and dell'Aqua discuss Blackthorne. Where is he getting his information? Dell'Aqua orders Alvito to put pressure on Mariko to reveal what she knows. (Alvito's life history.) Alvito and dell'Aqua plan to gain Toranaga's help with 25% of the brokerage fees from the Black Ship's silks, pressuring Onoshi and Kiyama to offer this. They will give Toranaga the rutters. Friar Perez comes in, preparing to make trouble, stirring up the Japanese Christians. 20. (p. 320) Blackthorne luxuriates; meets a doctor; is told he is being sent away to recuperate. Blackthorne does a hornpipe for Toranaga; then teaches him how. Toranaga orders Blackthorne to learn Japanese. Blackthorne almost insults Toranaga. Blackthorne and Mariko discuss his former life. Mariko embarasses him by talking about sex. (How the Jesuits turned Goroda against Mariko's father, driving him to assassinate the Dictator). Alvito brings the rutters to Toranaga. Description of the wealth of Osaka Castle. (Death of the Taiko.) Toranaga gets the rutters and gives the Black Ship permission to leave. Toranaga asks Alvito for the church's support; in return exclusivity throughout Japan. 21. (p. 346) Kiritsubo prepares to leave Osaka Castle. Ishido and his Grays show up. Buntaro and Ishido quarrel. Hiro-matsu quiets things down. Ishido pays his respects to Kiritsubo and then leaves. Sazuko falls, and in the confusion Toranaga and Kiri switch. Blackthorne sees, because he doesn't understand what Kiri says when she shouts. 22. (p. 354) The two litters make their way to the exit from the castle. Blackthorne is terrified that he will give Toranaga away. (Blackthorne fantasizes about the future, once he gets his ship back; rolling up the Portuguese empire like a carpet. If he can hire a crew at Nagasaki, he can take the Black Ship.) The reach the last checkpoint and Ishido appears. Ishido asks to give Kiri a message for his niece in Yedo. Blackthorne acts insane as a distraction. Ishido tries to kill Blackthorne, and Blackthorne fights back. Blackthorne dances through the gate. Yabu convinces Ishido not to kill Blackthorne. They leave. 23. (p. 363) The Grays refuse to let them go alone. Blackthorne is exhausted; they put him in a litter. Blackthorne and Mariko talk; some of her past. She is beginning to feel warmly about him. In Japan women manage money; She tells about how her mother sold her hair to buy a feast for Goroda. Mariko confirms that the Gray captain speaks Latin. Kiyama's ambush begins. The ambushers are driven off, but Toranaga is revealed. Two grays escape to warn Ishido, the rest die. 24. (p. 376) Toranaga's party splits; ten go by a back route, the rest decoy by the planned route. Toranaga leaves his resignation from the Regents with Hiro-matsu, so he can't be impeached. They rendezvous with some of Toranaga's secretly placed ronin. They reach the galley, which is guarded by Grays. They discuss setting the street afire. They arrange a diversion; Blackthorne and Mariko to say there was an ambush, then Mariko to faint if the ship is clear. Mariko reveals that she knows how to use a sword. They run for the ship. The Grays are fooled; all but a few leave the ship. Mariko decides reluctantly that the ship is safe, and faints. The Browns mingle with the Grays as thirty of Toranaga's ronin appear, and attack them before the Grays can attack the ronin. Blackthorne protects Mariko while the Browns gain the gangway. Mariko attacks a Gray when Blackthorne is driven back. She is wounded, but not badly, and the Grays are defeated. Blackthorne collapses. 25. (p. 389) The ronin make the galley ready for sea, and the Browns set up a defensive position against Grays from the Portuguese ship. Toranaga goes aboard, and Mariko is carried below. Suddenly, the castle comes alive; Ishido must know about the escape. The galley casts off. Buntaro, Sono and two Browns appear on the dock, pursued by Grays. They defeat the pursuers, and Blackthorne orders the galley to return, but Yabu countermands the order, and Toranaga will not be swayed. Blackthorne signals them to swim. They throw an oar for the girl, but while she gets it, she can't swim, and ultimately drowns. Buntaro prepares to commit seppuku rather than risk capture. Mariko, supported by Fujiki, tries to explain this to Blackthorne. The harbor mouth is blocked by fishing vessels carrying samurai. Browns on horseback rescue Buntaro, who only goes with them because Toranaga orders him to do it. 26. (p. 398) They ask Blackthorne how to escape the harbor. "With cannon." So Toranaga orders them to the Portuguese frigate, which has cannon. Toranaga asks Mariko to renounce Christianity, but she refuses. He orders her to become friends with Blackthorne. The frigate has left its moorings, and Blackthorne realizes it is ready to attack them. They break out Toranaga's flag so the Portuguese will officially know he's aboard the galley. They decide to go within hailing distance, and Blackthorne will convince them to help; Toranaga requires the use of their cannon. Ferriera wants to blow the galley out of the water, but dell'Aqua refuses to let him. Rodrigues, who is now pilot of the Black Ship, agrees with Ferriera. Ferriera wants to get Blackthorne and Toranaga. Rodrigues sees the galley is heading to windward, so he orders the Santa Theresa to sea. Rodrigues reluctantly points out Toranaga. Dell'Aqua orders them not to fire. They maneuver, the galley trying to get to windward and bottle up the frigate, and the frigate trying to gain sea room; to no avail. Alvito and dell'Aqua take a longboat to confer with Toranaga. Ferriera suggests they bring back Blackthorne. Toranaga asks for escort out of the harbor. He agrees to come to the frigate to negotiate with Ferriera, and the priests suggest he bring Blackthorne so that Rodrigues can thank him. Blackthorne refuses, but Alvito describes the food aboard, and he changes his mind. Rodrigues puts Blackthorne in his cabin to gorge and vomit where Toranaga won't be offended. 27. (p. 420) Negotiations. Toranaga will allow them to build a cathedral in Yedo if they help him get out of the harbor. The priests suggest they sell him cannon, but Ferriera says the galley can't use cannon. Ferriera says he will help for various concessions from the church, including Blackthorne. Mariko looks after Blackthorne, cleaning and dressing him, and is propositioned by a Portuguese bosun. Blackthorne and Mariko go up on deck. Rodrigues' spy fills him in on the negotiations. Rodrigues tells Mariko about his Japanese wife. Rodrigues has Blackthorne thrown overboard to save him from Ferriera, and sends Santiago to warn him and give him advice. The frigate is to carry Toranaga to Yedo, the priests are to go ashore and smooth things with Ishido, the galley to be left to its own devices. Blackthorne hauls down Toranaga's banner, the frigate makes for the sea. 28. (p. 441) The two ships duel; Blackthorne making for the harbor mouth ahead of the frigate, and Rodrigues trying to avoid ramming him (which is what Ferriera wants him to do). There is a one hundred yard gap in the waiting fishing boats. Blackthorne maneuvers to starboard of the frigate, where the attackers are afraid to attack for fear of hurting the Portuguese. (This was Rodrigues' idea.) Rodrigues tries to run Blackthorne onto the reef, but Blackthorne fires at him and forces him to give way. They both leave the harbor, and Toranaga goes back to his galley. 29. (p. 451) Blackthorne sleeps for 36 hours. They are off the coast of Totomi province. Toranaga has him awakened; asks him to eat and swim. Blackthorne, embarrassed by everyone's nakedness, dives into the water. Toranaga is impressed and asks to be taught how to dive. Toranaga belly-flops but finally does a passable dive. Mariko does a perfect one, but only Blackthorne notices. Toranaga questions him about England, and about sea power. Blackthorne offers to bring them a navy from England. Toranaga says he wishes Blackthorne could speak Japanese; Blackthorne asks for a dictionary, noting that the Jesuits have them. As they approach Izu, there is an earthquake; Blackthorne has never seen one before. Book Three: 30. (p. 467) In Anjiro, they have been preparing for Toranaga's arrival. They built a temporary fortress and a new house. Mura has stolen and hidden thirty koku of rice -- and weapons. It is illegal for peasants to possess weapons. The galley arrives. Toranaga orders Fujiko to become Blackthorne's consort for six months. Yabu tries to entice Toranaga to stay in Anjiro overnight, but Toranaga wiggles out, fearing Yabu. They go ashore, and Toranaga inspects Yabu's troops. (Lady Sazuko is a spy for Yabu.) Yabu learns that Toranaga has resigned, and he's shocked. Toranaga explains. Toranaga gives Yabu his priceless sword, which he got from Nakamura. (Flashback to how Toranaga ended up a vassal of Nakamura.) Toranaga departs before Yabu can realize he's been had. Blackthorne is furious at being left in Anjiro. Yabu realizes that the guns are still on the galley. Toranaga has made Blackthorne a hatamoto; he must learn Japanese quickly. Yabu tells the villagers that if Blackthorne doesn't learn Japanese within six months they will all be crucified. 31. (p. 490) Blackthorne goes to his house, distressed by Yabu's threat. Mariko tells Blackthorne that Fujiko is to be his consort. She tries to convince Blackthorne to go along with this. Omi arrives and asks for Blackthorne's pistols. Blackthorne gives his pistols to Fujiko, ordering her to protect them with her life. Blackthorne is ready to leave, but Fujiko gives him two samurai swords first, as a hatamoto must wear them. Yabu tells Omi to apologize to Blackthorne. Omi has already decided he must kill Yabu, for insulting his wife and mother. (Yabu's plans for secret training of a gun regiment.) Yabu asks Blackthorne to train his men, and to teach him how Europeans make war. Blackthorne agrees, if Yabu will rescind his decree about the villagers and ask Toranaga for his ship back in five months. Yabu agrees to ask Toranaga about the ship, but won't budge on the villagers. Blackthorne says he will have to commit suicide, then. Omi suggests that Yabu define "satisfactorily" flexibly. Yabu refuses, eager to see if Blackthorne is bluffing. Blackthorne tries to thrust the knife into heart, but Omi stops him, barely, and he and Igurashi wrest the knife from him. Blackthorne manages to stand and walk away. Everyone is incredibly impressed. Omi suggests that Yabu ask Mariko to stay for a full month, as she can help Blackthorne train the musketeers, and she is a good hostage. (Ochiba is no longer a hostage.) 32. (p. 519) Twelve days later, a courier from Osaka arrives. Ishido is suspicious of Yabu. In twenty days, the Council of Regents will meet, and Yabu is summoned to renew his oath of fealty; Ito Teruzumi has filled the vacancy left by Toranaga, so the Council is whole again. All daimyos are invited. Omi suggests they have one of the Regents assassinated; throw in totally with Toranaga. Omi points out that the new council doesn't exist yet; this gives them time to maneuver. Igurashi suggests they kill Jozen. Yabu asks how they can remove Jozen without danger: somehow set a trap with Naga. How to speak Japanese. Blackthorne and Mariko bathe together. Mariko tells him that Fujiko has a pheasant one of the peasants caught. Blackthorne eats the pheasant and he, Mariko and Fujiko all get drunk. Naga declares to Jozen his disgust with guns. Masumoto is sent with Yabu's report on the training. Jozen's pigeon was intercepted. Blackthorne and Mariko make love for the first time. 33. (p. 548) Mariko pretends nothing happened the previous night; that it was her maid. Mariko suggests he use Kiku. Mariko predicts (unseriously) that Blackthorne will never get his navy, never leave Japan. Mock battle; Jozen is uncomprehending. The gun regiment "wins." Jozen is impressed; he asks that Blackthorne be killed and the guns withdrawn. They discuss swords, and Omi threatens him with bayonets. Naga threatens Jozen; he shows him the dead pigeon and Masumoto's head. Yabu tells him to release Jozen; Jozen refuses. Blackthorne is a witness; Naga's men gut and hamstring Jozen; Jozen's men commit seppuku with great honor. Jozen is left to the dogs. A storm comes, but the village is repaired quickly; no fires. 34. (p. 570) Ten days later, Toranaga comes ashore. He wants to see an exercise. Yabu must decide whether to leave for Osaka. There will be an entire regiment of musketeers, commanded by Buntaro. Mariko delivers her report to Toranaga on board the galley; the musket regiment will win one battle, the character of Yabu and Omi, etc. (Buntaro's escape from Osaka.) Toranaga goes hunting and sends a pheasant and a hare to Blackthorne. Blackthorne hangs the pheasant. He cleans and cooks the hare, grossing out everyone. Fujiko arranges to get a non-Buddhist cook to avoid trouble. Buntaro is to stay with Blackthorne. 35. (p. 588) Blackthorne greets Buntaro formally. Blackthorne says he would like to see Buntaro shoot his bow. They eat dinner, and Buntaro decides to demonstrate his archery. Buntaro shoots five arrows into a post through a closed shoji, all within an inch of each other. Buntaro gets drunk, and Blackthorne asks about how he and Mariko came to be married; Mariko must tell how her father was Akechi Jinsai, who assassinated Goroda. Buntaro passes out. Later, he awakens and beats Mariko, then staggers off. Blackthorne goes to help her, but she refuses. Blackthorne goes to kill Buntaro, but Buntaro bows abjectly, as he has violated propriety by disturbing Blackthorne's house. To save face, Blackthorne blames it on the sake. 36. (p. 610) Toranaga goes hunting with his falcon. He loses patience with Naga, who has counseled a conservative course. Tetsu-ko kills a wily old cock pheasant. He orders Naga to become Blackthorne's friend. (Toranaga's anger at Buntaro for beating Mariko; Buntaro's love/hate of Mariko. Toranaga trying to walk Blackthorne into the ground. Yabu's becoming Toranaga's vassal, giving him the Murasama sword as a token, Toranaga ordering it thrown into the sea.) A pigeon arrives from Osaka. 37. (p. 622) Sugiyama has resigned, as planned. Some daimyos have escaped, but many families are still hostage in Osaka. Toranaga calls his advisors together; Yabu and Buntaro advise "Crimson Sky," Omi suggests a defensive strategy. Toranaga tells them he will order "Crimson Sky," not after the rains, but now; and use the musket regiment to blast a way through the mountains to Osaka. Toranaga asks Mariko to buy Kiku's contract. Mariko advises him to marry Ochiba and become Shogun. She also says that she must go to Osaka. 38. (p. 637) Blackthorne discovers Ueki-ya has committed suicide due to having taken down the rotten pheasant. Naga asks to be Blackthorne's friend. (Mariko related how the matter of the pheasant was dealt with.) Blackthorne is shamed at his stupidity. Suddenly, an earthquake begins. Acleft opens and Toranaga topples in; Blackthorne grabs his sash and is pulled in with him. Blackthorne drags Toranaga to safety. Another shock opens a fissure which swallows Mariko. Blackthorne crawls in to get her, and Toranaga pulls him out by his sash. Blackthorne manages to thrust Mariko up to Toranaga, and barely climbs out himself. Igurashi was killed, others only bruised. Blackthorne retrieves his sword and gives it to Toranaga. He goes to look after Fujiko; his house is aburnt-out ruin. 39. (p. 650) Fujiko was badly burned in the fire. Blackthorne names a rock after Ueki-ya. Omi arrives and offers Blackthorne the use of his bath. Blackthorne meets Omi's mother. Blackthorne and Toranaga discuss the Erasmus and the Black Ship. Toranaga promises to give Blackthorne an answer when they reach Yedo. He promises Mariko to order her divorced after Ishido is dealt with. Toranaga announces an edited version of his plan. He gives Blackthorne a fief worth two thousand koku, gifts, and swords. Inside, he is furious that his people think any war is feasible now; better to wait for Ishido to strangle himself. 40. (p. 675) Mariko negotiates with Gyoko-san for Kiku's services and her contract, not mentioning until the end that the services are for Blackthorne. Blackthorne and Mariko spend the evening with Kiku, who realizes that they are in love. Kiku shows them some sex aids, and he grows angry about how backward England is. Mariko leaves them. 41. (p. 700) Zataki has been appointed to the Council, and is coming to visit, along with Tsukku-san. They will meet at Yokose, in the mountains. Omi comes to fetch Blackthorne, who gains much prestige by his night with Kiku, and his correct behavior afterwards. Mariko buys Kiku's contract for three thousand koku; twenty-five hundred if Toranaga will speak to Gyoko for one stick of time. Blackthorne shows up, and Toranaga tells him he and Mariko will go to Shuzenji Spa, and then she will go on to Osaka, and Blackthorne to Yedo. Blackthorne asks Toranaga to help select his two hundred samurai. Blackthorne gives Omi the hint that he should try to recover Toranaga's swords. 42. (p. 728) Toranaga arrives at Yokose. Toranaga orders Buntaro to make peace with Mariko. Saigawa Zataki arrives for the meeting. The Regents order Toranaga to Osaka. If he refuses, he is to commit seppuku. He temporizes, saying he will answer tomorrow. Zataki asks Yabu to betray Toranaga, but he refuses. Yabu is then ordered to Osaka. Toranaga needles Yabu for his stupidity in not drawing Zataki out. Toranaga meets with Gyoko, who proposes the invention of geisha. Toranaga is interested, and tells her that it is he who has bought Kiku's contract. Apostasy of Brother Joseph; Alvito fetched to see Toranaga. 43. (p. 754) Alvito explains about Joseph to Toranaga. Alvito has brought maps for Toranaga, and the dictionary for Blackthorne. The Black Ship arrived fourteen days ago. Alvito tells Toranaga that he could not persuade Kiyama or Onoshi to back him. Toranaga threatens to unleash Blackthorne. Toranaga thinks the Jesuits are plotting to support Kiyama as Shogun, aided by Conquistadores. Buntaro's tea ceremony for Mariko. They are drawn together by the ceremony, but Buntaro threatens Blackthorne. Buntaro is convinced she has betrayed him. 44. (p. 777) Toranaga replies to Zataki that he will obey the will of the Council; everyone is amazed and disgusted at his cowardice. Mariko and Blackthorne are sent to Yedo together, and then Mariko will continue to Osaka. (The morning's hunting; the oil seller who blocked Blackthorne's way and was killed by Toranaga's order. Alvito gives Blackthorne the dictionary. He says that Toranaga is doomed. He predicts that Blackthorne will never leave.) Mariko tricks Gyoko into lowering Kiku's price. Mariko and Yoshinaka discuss the guard arrangements for the journey. 45. (p. 791) The journey to Mishima. Mariko and Blackthorne are together every night. Kiku and Gyoko know. Omi catches up and asks Kiku to join him, but she refuses. Yoshinaka suspects, but is careful not to see. Alvito is told by one of his men that he thinks they are lovers; Alvito is shocked. 46. (p. 803) Mariko reports to Hiro-matsu at Mishima. Hiro-matsu secretly wants to have Sudara and Genjiko declare Crimson Sky without Toranaga, if he refuses. Gyoko returns to her house. Secrets she has heard; most importantly that Lord Zataki desires Ochiba, and that Toranaga seems untroubled. Rodrigues, hearing Alvito's report on Blackthorne, resolves to go ashore to visit him and perhaps kill him. Blackthorne and Mariko make love, and Rodrigues comes to visit. Yoshinaka makes him give up his weapons. They talk, the lack of trust ruining the occasion. Book Four: 47. (p. 833) They arrive in Yedo. Gyoko bargains with Mariko; three of her secrets for the thousand koku or making her son a samurai. The secrets are what Harima said in confessional, Omi's plot against Yabu, and Zataki's lust for Ochiba. Gyoko offers to reduce her fee by five hundred koku if Toranaga will make her son samurai. Mariko relays the information to Toranaga, who acts uninterested, and also tells him about Alvito and Blackthorne quarreling. Buntaro asks for Blackthorne's head; Toranaga says he can have it after acting as Toranaga's second. Toranaga sends Buntaro to deliver a message to Toranaga's mother in Takato. Toranaga is excited by the secrets; Onoshi has made a secret treaty against Kiyama with Ishido. Zataki lusts after Ochiba. Toranaga has only been acting defeated; he needs to gain time, and accepting the second scroll would mean death. He sends a letter to his brother, offering him Ochiba and the lands of the Christian daimyos. Buntaro and Mariko quarrel. Buntaro suggests Toranaga be invited to commit seppuko, as he has obviously given up. Toranaga orders Blackthorne to make the Erasmus seaworthy. Blackthorne asks three favors. First, to see his crew. Second, he proposes he attack Nagasaki and the Kyushu daimyos. Third, he asks to marry Mariko. Toranaga grants only the first. 48. (p. 859) Blackthorne visits his crew in the eta district of Yedo. Sonk the cook, Vinck, Croocq the boy, Ginsel the sailmaker, Baccus van Nekk, and Jan Roper the merchant have survived. They tell him Toranaga's men fixed the ship under Vinck's direction. He tells them they will be at sea again in a month. The crew tell their story, and Blackthorne realizes they are in an eta village. He returns to the castle and bathes to remove the filth of his visit. Blackthorne inspects the Erasmus. Fujiko returns. 49. (p. 874) Blackthorne examines Fujiko's burns, which are healing perfectly, and shows her his dictionary. They meet with Toranaga, and later Mariko tells Toranaga about her quarrel with Buntaro, and his treasonous suggestions. Toranaga confronts Sudara and Genjiko, ordering Sudara to kill his own children to prove his loyalty, having previously secured them from harm. Toranaga calls a meeting of his generals, who are in a state of agitation and discontent. General Kiyoshio indicts Toranaga, and is ordered to commit seppuku. Toranaga is trying to buy time for Zataki to reply to his letter. 50. (p. 894) Blackthorne sees Mariko. He is impatient with Toranaga. He sleeps with Fujiko for the first time. (Mariko and Blackthorne looking at a pillow book on the journey. Mariko tells him he must learn how to drink cha from an empty cup.) Blackthorne decides that first and last he's a Pilot. Zataki replies; he agrees. Toranaga meets with Hiro-matsu, who asks him not to leave for Osaka. Toranaga, laughing agrees; he never intended to go to Osaka. He has bought a month and given up nothing. Hiro-matsu must help him maintain the pretense that he's defeated, and continue delaying. Mariko is given her papers and some messages. She sees Gyoko as well, and they exchange veiled threats. Blackthorne and Mariko meet at the Erasmus; Alvito arrives, then Yabu in place of Toranaga. Yabu returns the silver from the ship, gives Blackthorne permission to sail it, and gives him a crew, among them Uraga, the apostate priest. Yabu fights with one of Blackthorne's samurai, and kills him. Yabu returns home and meets with Misuni, his brother and Omi's father. He reports that with silver stolen from the strongbox they have bribed Jikkyu's cook to poison him. Yuriko advises Yabu that Toranaga is not beaten; he is conspiring with Zataki, releasing Blackthorne, and so on. She advises Yabu to help Toranaga and Blackthorne, and see to it that Zataki gets a stray bullet in battle. Mariko has come to the same conclusion. She meets with Gyoko, who has been questioned by Toranaga about Mariko and Blackthorne. She reports that the attempted assassination of Blackthorne was paid for by Kiyama. Kiku is with child, possibly by Blackthorne or Toranaga or Omi. She also warns Blackthorne to beware Uraga, who is Harima's nephew. 51. (p. 936) They secretly take the Erasmus to Yokohama. Yabu asks to start anew and be Blackthorne's friend. (He has gotten Toranaga's permission to go to Osaka to prepare for Toranaga's arrival, and to take Blackthorne with him as it's on the way to Nagasaki, where they can get sailors.) Alvito and Brother Michael; one of Blackthorne's men is an agent for the Jesuits, and he is given a message to carry to Nagasaki. There are no carrier pigeons for Osaka or Nagasaki; Toranaga has confiscated them all. Mariko asks to say confession on the site of the new cathedral; she tells Alvito her conclusions about Toranaga, asks him to protect Blackthorne, and tells him the secrets she heard from Gyoko. Alvito tells her to report this to the Father-Visitor at Osaka. Uraga and Blackthorne search for Christians among his men. They must stamp on an icon. One refuses and he is killed. Book Five: 52. (p. 951) Blackthorne, Vinck, and Yabu go on to Osaka, sending the rest of the men back to Yedo. A cutter bearing an official of the Council arrives; the Emperor himself will be receiving the obeisances of the daimyos. This means Toranaga can no longer delay. Mariko arrives in Osaka. All of Toranaga's people and many others are effectively held captive by Ishido. Uraga sneaks off to get a message from Yabu, and on his return is killed by an attack from fishing boats in the harbor. 53. (p. 981) Blackthorne is brought to the Castle to visit Ishido and Ochiba. Blackthorne is received and duels verbally with Ishido. He gives Ochiba a birthday gift. He meets Mariko's son Saruji. Kiyama speaks nastily about his sect of Christian. They speak of Toranaga's approach, and a poetry competition is proposed. Mariko states that she won't be able to compete, as she plans to leave with Kiritsubo and Sazuko to meet Toranaga. They argue about whether she is confined, and whether she may leave, ordered by Toranaga. Violence is averted only by the news that Yodoko is dying. Yabu thinks Mariko has been stupid, and should apologize. Mariko meets with Kiyama, who asks her to stay, and questions her real motives. Saruji also asks, but she refuses. She tells Kiyama about Onoshi's plot, and suggests that Ishido expects to use Blackthorne against the Christian daimyos. She gives him a message from Toranaga about Ishido promising the Kwanto to Zataki as well as him, which shocks him. 54. (p. 1006) Mariko prepares to leave. Kiritsubo reveals that having the Emperor visit was Toranaga's idea originally. Mariko meets Blackthorne and tells him her attempt to leave is all Toranaga's idea. Blackthorne bids goodbye to Mariko and watches as her party prepares to leave. He watches a stone grow. Rodrigues is in Osaka, aboard the Santa Luz. He almost killed Ferriera arguing over Blackthorne. 55. (p. 1021) Mariko begins. She reaches the first gate, where a samurai tries to stop her, and Yoshinaka kills him, then is himself killed. Twenty Grays fight twenty Browns until all the Browns are dead. Kazuko kills a Gray guard, then is slaughtered by arrows. Twenty more Browns and Grays fight. Mariko comes out and attacks the last Gray. He gives way slowly, but they are surrounded. Mariko returns to her litter and announces that due to the shame of not being allowed to obey Toranaga, she will commit seppuku at sunset. 56. (p. 1027) Many ladies join Mariko, including the venerable Maeda Etsu; everyone is impressed by Mariko's efforts. Ochiba, Kiyama, and Ishido argue about what to do. Ishido proposes capturing Mariko and disarming her. They exit to see the dying Yodoko. Yodoko suggests that Mariko be allowed to leave but that she be watched and delayed inside the borders. She also suggests that Ochiba marry Toranaga. Yodoko dies. (Flashback to the Taiko's death, Toranaga's promises. Ochiba's memory of how Yaemon was conceived with a peasant, and Toranaga might have seen. How the Taiko's first-born may have been conceived by someone else when Ochiba was drugged by Yodoko.) Mariko will commit seppuku in public. She meets with Blackthorne, then prepares. She asks Yabu to be her second. She is ready to die when Ishido appears, interrupts, and gives her permits to leave the next day. He says anyone can leave if they apply to. Mariko tries to stand, but cannot, and finally Blackthorne carries her inside. 57. (p. 1050) The ninja attack that night. Ten use muffled grapples to reach the top floor; the only floor whose windows are wide enough to enter. They kill ten Browns. Twenty enter through a disused culvert, twenty more use ropes to attack the battlement. They kill two Brown guards, losing one of their own men: wounded, he commits suicide with a poison shiriken. Sumiyori wakens Yabu for the change of guard; it's an hour before dawn. Sumiyori is afraid of an ambush; Yabu kills him. (Ishido has offered Yabu a safe-conduct for himself and Blackthorne if he ensures that Mariko is disarmed during an ambush.) Yabu checks on Blackthorne and Mariko. Achiko and Etsu are staying with Mariko. Yabu is going to make an inspection. He lets the ninja into the cellar. Yabu leads them through the corridors to a secret door, then goes ahead and sounds the alarm. It is intended to divert attention from the main attack, an attempt to kidnap Mariko. The red-spot ninja leader, too impatient, gives the attack signal a moment too soon. Blackthorne shoots him, slowing the attack, and gets the door barred just in time. The ninja try to break down the door as Blackthorne shoots them through the crack. Kiri leads them to the secret strongroom. The door goes down and Blackthorne and Mariko run. Chimmoko dies defending them. Blackthorne and Mariko reach the door and bolt it barely in time. The defenders realize that the ninja are after Mariko, and begin to fight their way towards the cul-de-sac in the east wing. The attackers threaten to blow up the door. They claim they want Blackthorne, and Mariko barely prevents him from opening the door. Then he tries to open the door to the battlements while Mariko delays the ninja. The ninja leader decides to blow the door, even though he fears that it will kill everyone inside. Mariko flattens herself against the door, and it is blown in, mortally wounding her. The ninja pour in, killing only Kiyama Achiko, as ordered. The ninja retreat, covered by smoke, fire, and poisoned caltrops. The defenders, including Yabu, break through. Mariko dies. Etsu formally accuses Ishido of the attack, then leaps to her death from the battlements. 58. (p. 1076) The Council of Regents meets to discuss a way out of the situation. Ishido wants to cancel the safe conducts, but they outvote him. Kiyama predicts Toranaga will find a way to delay the Emperor's visit. They vote to attack the Kwanto as soon as the visit is delayed. Blackthorne is deaf. He is moved to protect him from Kiyama. (Ishido had ordered Achiko killed in case she was going to assassinate Blackthorne.) Yaemon will be with Ishido's armies; Ishido predicts Toranaga will not dare attack then. dell'Aqua receives a message from Alvito at Mishima; he will see Toranaga They will bury Mariko's ashes in the cathedral at Nagasaki. dell'Aqua shows Perez the Pope's letter closing Japan to all but the Jesuits. Perez refuses to accept it, predicting a Spanish Bishop will arrive at any time. He also makes veiled references to Mariko's love affair with Blackthorne. 59. (p. 1097) Blackthorne's hearing is returning. Ochiba and Kiri invite Blackthorne to Mariko's funeral. Mariko's funeral. Blackthorne awakes and discovers he has no guards. He is to be sent away to the galley; Brother Michael guides him. They go through the city with an escort of Kiyama's samurai. Blackthorne is famished and stops to eat some prawns, but has no money to pay; one of Kiyama's men pays. They take him by the Jesuit mission and the lorcha with Ferriera and Rodrigues aboard. There is a stake prepared. Blackthorne asks to die as a samurai, and Michael sees the stake for the first time. dell'Aqua and Ferriera face each other down over Blackthorne; Ferriera wants to kill him. Ferriera backs down under threat of excommunication. Pesaro tries to kill Blackthorne, but Kiyama's samurai kill him first. (dell'Aqua had pleaded with Kiyama to side with Toranaga, and spare Blackthorne; Kiyama agrees to stay neutral initially and to spare Blackthorne for Mariko's sake.) Ferriera and dell'Aqua tell Blackthorne his ship has burned. The galley returns to Yokohama. Book Six: 60. (p. 1127) The Erasmus is a wreck. Naga relates what happened, and how all witnesses were put to death. Blackthorne decides Mariko must have told his enemies to leave him alive but destroy his ship. Vinck goes mad and dies. Blackthorne buries Vinck then swims out to the wreck. Toranaga orders the galley to stay at Yokohama pending his arrival. Toranaga arrives. He has arranged to delay the Emperor's visit to Osaka by bribing Ogaki, the courtier. Ishido will leave the castle to attack; Toranaga has sacrificed a queen to gain two castles, but he has also lost the ship. Toranaga reviews the troops. Toranaga is outraged that the ship burned. Toranaga tells Blackthorne he may kill Alvito if he wishes, but better not to. Toranaga, Naga, etc. discuss whether Blackthorne will kill Alvito, and Toranaga predicts he will not. Buntaro asks for Blackthorne's life; he is convinced Mariko dishonored him with Blackthorne. Toranaga tells him no, that he had ordered Mariko to divorce Buntaro when she first suggested going to Osaka, but she refused. This is a lie, of course, but Buntaro is satisfied. Toranaga swims out to look at the wreck. Toranaga sees his new son, then questions the Osaka sumurai, one by one. He then talks to Kiri, who relays Ochiba's message that the Heir doesn't wish to lead any armies against Toranaga. Toranaga talks to Yabu, then Alvito, who denies any Christian burned the ship. Alvito reports that now that the ship is gone, the Father-Vistor is able to give full attention to turning Kiyama and Onoshi. Toranaga muses that he gave only the ship when he might have had to give Blackthorne as well, to prove his sincerity to Kiyama. Toranaga interviews Blackthorne about Osaka, with Alvito translating. Then he gives Blackthorne Mariko's last message. She tells him to build another ship. He is elated at the idea, and Toranaga vows to help him. He will call it the Lady. 61. (p. 1159) Toranaga goes hunting; flashback to meeting with Mariko; suggestion of burning ship, building another. News of Jikkyu's death by poisoning, instigated by Yabu. Yabu's treachery revealed; Toranaga orders him to commit suicide. Yabu gives his Yoshitomo sword to Blackthorne. Toranaga reinstates Sudara as his heir. Toranaga orders Crimson Sky via the Tokaido, as a feint. Toranaga gives Fujiko permission to die. Tells Gyoko he no longer wants Kiku. Appoints Omi commander of the Musket Regiment, but refuses to give him Kiku. Blackthorne begins to salvage the Erasmus. Meeting with Alvito. Toranaga musings; he burned the Erasmus, Mura is secretly his spy, he plans to give Kiku to Blackthorne. How Mariko's death and the release of the hostages gained so much. Releases Tetsu-ko as a gift to Mariko's soul. Predicts the course of events. Epilogue. (p. 1211) Battle of Sekigahara, death of Ishido.