"I don't understand." "Wakarimasen." "Anjin-san?" "is that where we're going?" " The castle there?" "Hai?" " Hai." "Sweet Jesus!" "I thought I was a dead man!" "At the castle lake, Lord Toranaga was teaching the art of fishing to Yaemon, the young son of the late Taiko and his consort, the Lady Ochiba." "Toranaga had arranged Blackthorne's release from prison for the same reason he had sent him there/ to keep him out of Lord lshido's reach and thereby save the Englishman's life." "It gives me great pleasure to see you again, my Lady." "Thank you, Captain." "I am pleased to see you are well." " May I present the Lady Kiri-sama?" " Konnichiwa." "is she Lord Toranaga's wife?" "No." "Lord Toranaga's wife died many years ago." "The Lady Kiri-sama was once his consort." "Now she is mistress of his household." "Konnichiwa, Toranaga-sama." "I only learned a few words." "How do you say, "l don't speak Japanese"?" "I am sure Lord Toranaga understands." "Lord Toranaga wishes to know where you learned your few words." "In prison." "There was a Franciscan monk." "He taught me." "Lord Toranaga wishes to know about you and your country." "My lord also wishes to know about your ships and weapons and how you guided your ships here." "My master wishes to understand all of this." " That's nearly everything I know." " Precisely what my master wishes." "I will tell him, but it may take time." "My master has the time." " Where shall I begin?" " At the beginning." "This is a map of the world." "The earth is round, like an orange." "This map is like its skin, cut off and laid out flat." "This is north, south, east, west." "Japan, Nihon, is here." "My country is here." "Hai." "This is Africa." "These are the Americas." "We know only the coastlines, very little else." "Lord Toranaga wishes you to show him how you came to Japan." "This way." "By Magellan's Pass, by the tip of South America." "Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, discovered it 80 years ago." "The Spanish and Portuguese have kept the way secret." "We were the first outsiders through the pass." " Aren't you going to translate?" " l will explain everything to him later." "When he wishes to know something, he will ask." "70 years ago, the kings of Spain and Portugal signed a treaty, dividing the ownership of the New World, the undiscovered world, between them." "Your country is in the Portuguese half and is officially Portuguese." "Lord Toranaga, you, everyone, this castle, everything in it, was given to the Portuguese." "Excuse me, but that does not make sense." "Perhaps, but it's true." "Legal documents gave each king the right to claim non-Catholic land and replace the existing government with Catholic rule." "Many lands in the Americas have had their treasures taken back to Spain." "Portugal has taken gold and silver from Brazil." "If this is true, how could the kings give themselves such rights?" "They didn't." "The Pope gave them the rights." "The vicar of Christ on earth himself." "In exchange for spreading God's word." " l don't believe what you say is true." " lt is true." "Pope Clement Vll sanctioned the Treaty of Saragossa in 1 529, giving Portugal the exclusive right to your country." "And Cathay." "My lord wishes me to explain what you have said." "You may wait over there." "Lord Toranaga will continue his discussion with you later." "I am at his service, Lady." "Was the boy Lord Toranaga's son?" "Yaemon is the heir." "He is the son of the late Taiko." " And the woman who just came?" " She is the Lady Yodo." "She is the official mother of the heir." "Lord Toranaga has instructed me to tell you that you are to be taken to your quarters." "When he wishes to see you again, he will send for you." "Please." " How bad?" " Very bad, Captain Ferriera." "Toranaga has been questioning Blackthorne." "The sooner that heretic is dead, the better." "If the Dutch and English spread their filth in Asia, we are in for trouble." "We are already in trouble, Captain." "Toranaga said Blackthorne told him of the Treaty of Saragossa, and then he asked me if such a thing could be." " How did you answer?" " With the truth." "Fool!" "You endanger all our profits." "A false answer would endanger very much more." "Our whole position here is based on trust." "And what else did the Jappo say?" "He requests a written explanation of our conquests in the New World." "And, "purely for my own interest", were his exact words, the amount of gold and silver taken from the Americas." "This must absolutely be refused!" "You cannot refuse Toranaga." "He's just another murdering heathen." "Without my Black Ship, their economy would collapse." "We've purchased a million ducats' worth of silk at the Canton fair, and we'll have at least 1 00,000 ounces of Chinese gold." "Yes, Captain, they need our silk to make their kimonos, but this is your first visit to Japan." "You have no idea of our problems here." "They need us, that's true, but we need them more." "You must excuse me, Your Eminence, but sometimes soldiers must do God's work." "I must ask you, Captain, formally, not to even think of interfering with internal politics here." "I am captain of the Black Ship this year, therefore Governor of Macao this year with viceregal powers over these waters, and if I choose to eliminate Toranaga or anyone else, I will." "Then you do so over my direct orders to the contrary and risk immediate excommunication." "This is beyond your jurisdiction, Eminence." "This is a temporal matter, not a spiritual one." "Once and for all, you will not involve yourself in internal politics." "Only if the internal politics do not interfere with my plans." "By Christ's blood, my Black Ship will sail on time from Macao to Nagasaki and then, the richest treasure ship in history, she will head home!" "As Christ is my judge, that is what is going to happen!" " Our prayers will go with you." " So will your profits." "But if that Dutch pig, the Erasmus, with her English captain, catches us at sea, we would lose everything." "I hope you understand that." "You have made it quite clear, Captain." "Yes." "I'll be getting back to my ship now." "Perhaps you'll come aboard to dine with me tomorrow night?" "Yes, some good food would be wonderful again." "Thank you." "You're very kind." "Tomorrow." "At dusk." "We must be very careful, Martin." "Painfully careful." "The more Toranaga learns from the heretic, the more perilous our situation." "Then, Your Eminence, we shall have to do something unexpected." "Anjin..." "No, no, he did not wound me. lye." "The mark of the Amida Tong, the deadliest assassins in all Japan." "Lord Toranaga's first question" ""Who would know how to hire one of these men?"" "When he was summoned, Lord Yabu was certain that the moment of his destruction had arrived." "But Lord Toranaga simply invited him to watch the sunrise." "Still, the message was clear." "Yabu knew that Toranaga was not pleased." "Konnichiwa." "Good day." "Please sit down, Anjin-san." "Thank you." "Lord Toranaga has instructed me to tell you how much he regrets the incident of last night." "Your samurai have been doubled, and every effort will be made to prevent it happening again." "Please inform Lord Toranaga of my appreciation." "Lord Toranaga will send you to the provinces in the next few days so you may recuperate." "In the meantime, he asks if you would prepare a few maps showing the way you came here and showing the world as you know it." "He has provided you with these materials." "Will this be acceptable?" "Yes, this will be acceptable." "My master will meet with you soon." "He has instructed me to answer any questions you might have." "Lord Toranaga is anxious you learn about our ways and customs as he is equally anxious to know about the outside world." "Then, you will answer any question?" "As well as I am able." " What does it mean?" " That is the sign of the Amida Tong." "It is a secret society and..." " l don't know much about it." " What do you know?" "They spend their lives training to become a perfect weapon for one kill." "They swear to kill only at the order of the leader." "If they fail to kill, they must take their own life at once." "Not one of them has been caught alive." "Why did one of these Amida Tong attack me last night?" "That is a question Lord Toranaga is attempting to answer." "More?" "Well, why not?" "What do you call this stuff?" "Namuka...or however the hell you say it!" " Sakazuki." " Sakazuki!" "Very good!" "More sakazuki." "Hai." "Sakazuki." " Sakazuki." " No. lye..." "To drink." "Drink." "Whatever it is... I think it's got me a little drunk." "Must be why I feel so damn good." "Sakazuki." "More sakazuki." "I promised her rings for her fingers" "Sparkling flowers for her flaxen hair I swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay" "Konnichiwa, Toranaga-sama." "My master asks what you were doing." "It was just a dance, Mariko-san." "A sailor's dance." "My master says he would like to see your dance." " Now?" " Of course now." "I promised her rings for her fingers" "Sparkling flowers for her flaxen hair I swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay I gave her my word to be married" "And took her sweet vow in return l swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well to you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay" " Lord Toranaga will dance your dance." " What?" "I promised her rings for her fingers" "Sparkling flowers for her flaxen hair I swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay I gave her my promise to marry" "And took her sweet vow in return l swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay I built her a cottage in Chatham" "Gave her children to sit by the fire I swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather" "But stay by her side at the shore" "Fare-thee-well, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Fare-thee-well to the Spanish blockade" "Fare-thee-well to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay" "But a cottage is too small for a sailor" "Without the blue sea and the sky" "Though I swore that I'd never Set sail in foul weather I left her behind at the shore" "Take me back, oh, you Barbary merchants" "Let me risk the Spanish blockade" "Carry me to the Straits of Gibraltar" "And the treacherous seas of Cathay" "My master says that he would be pleased for you to accept this as a gift." "Arigato gozaimashita, Toranaga-sama." "Lord Toranaga has enjoyed your dance." "Maybe one day he will show you a dance of his." "My master says that you will leave at dusk." " Dusk?" " ls that not a correct word?" "Yes, but you said I'd be leaving in a few days." "Yes, but now he has said that you will leave this evening." "He is sending the Lady Kiri-sama to Yedo to prepare for his return." "You will go with her." "is it possible...?" " Will I see Lord Toranaga before I go?" " l do not know." "I wanted to ask him, to request, if it would be possible to release Friar Domingo." "He's the monk I met in prison." "My master sent for the man yesterday after you mentioned him, but I am sorry, the man was already dead." "How?" "My master told me that he died when his name was called out." "Poor man." "Lord Toranaga will tell you that life and death are the same." "is that what you believe, too?" "You have seen what I believe." "Rako-san says your dance was very excellent." "She'd like to ask a question." "What is it?" "Hai." "Rako-san asks if your women are the same as us in body." "I assume so." "Asa-san asks, in pillowing, how do your women compare with ours?" "Pillowing?" "I don't understand." "Pillowing is our way of referring to the physical joining of man and woman." "I have nothing to base the comparison on." "You haven't pillowed since you have been here?" "No." "You must be feeling very constricted, neh?" "One of these ladies would be delighted to pillow with you." "Or all of them, if you wish." "All?" "Certainly." "But if you don't want them, there is no need to worry." "They would not be offended." "Tell me the sort of lady you would like and we shall arrange it." "Thank you, but perhaps later." "Are you sure?" "Excuse me, but my master has given specific instructions that your health is to be improved." "How can you be healthy without pillowing?" "It is very important for a man." "Yes?" "Thank you, but I..." "Not now." "Or maybe you would prefer a boy?" " A boy?" " Only if you wish it." "I do not wish it." "Do I look like a God-cursed sodomite?" "Please forgive me." "I have made a terrible mistake." "I was only trying to please, but I have never known an Englishman before, so I have no way of knowing your your intimate customs." "Well, lady, my intimate customs do not include boys." "Please forgive me for offending you." "It was entirely my fault, due to my stupidity and ignorance." "Since Blackthorne had told Lord Toranaga that his rutters, the ship's log detailing her long voyage, had been stolen," "Father Alvito knew that the continued possession of these papers could be dangerous." "There would be disadvantages in giving up the documents to Toranaga, including explaining how Father Sebastio in Anjiro had removed them from the Englishman's ship." "Pilot-Major Blackthorne?" "I didn't know that you were here." "Where did you think I was?" "Still in that foul prison?" " You are becoming quite Japanese." " l'm learning." "No. I doubt you will ever learn enough to understand these people." "Do you?" "I have lived here since I was a boy." "Does that surprise you?" "Yes, I was ordained here as well." "Their language is as natural to me as my own, and still they are a mystery." " l'm pleased to hear it." " Why?" "It will not help you to be my enemy, Pilot-Major." " That is a fight you surely will lose." " l choose my fights carefully." "But when I do fight, I win." "Let me tell you something, Englishman." "You will not choose your next fight." "War is coming to this country." "The empire is divided into two camps:" "Toranaga's and lshido's." "If you think that kimono will keep you safe, you are sadly mistaken." "Whose side are you on, priest?" "On the side of peace." "Always on the side of peace." "Listen to me." "If you can persuade Toranaga to return your ship, leave before it's too late." "Leave as quickly as you can." "You mean leave before the Black Ship arrives, don't you?" " Who spoke to you of the Black Ship?" " Who sends hired assassins at night?" "You will burn in hell for all eternity, heretic." "You will burn in hell." "That I promise you." " ls Lord Toranaga coming with us?" " No." "He cannot leave without Lord lshido's permission." "You will be safer in Yedo." " When will Lord Toranaga come?" " l do not know." "Whenever he can." " How do we get to Yedo?" " On the galley." "And then what will happen to me?" "That is for Lord Toranaga to decide." "Now we will be leaving." "Why is Lady Kiri crying?" "She is unhappy to be separated from Sazuko-san, even for this short time." " ls that her daughter?" " Daughter?" "No." "The Lady Sazuko is the youngest of Lord Toranaga's consorts." "Hai, tono." "Lord Buntaro requests that you walk beside my palanquin." "Who is he?" "Lord Buntaro, Lord of Sakura." "He is the son of Hiromatsu-sama." "He is my husband." "Lord lshido!" " What does he want?" " l don't know." "Lord lshido has a message for his niece in Yedo." "He asks if Lady Kiri-sama will take it." "It's bad luck in my country for a prince to give a message like a commoner." "You cannot touch a prince." "Very bad luck!" "The worst luck there is." "Thy master is in here!" "Help me!" "No." "Please." "Tell them to follow me!" "Tell them I've gone mad!" "Out of my way!" "Out of my way!" " Are they coming?" "I can't keep this up." " Yes!" "Yes, Anjin-san." "Our people are coming." "You can stop dancing now." "You are a brave man, Anjin-san." "I thank you for saving him." "Why didn't Lord Toranaga leave the castle openly?" "Why the masquerade?" "No one leaves Osaka Castle without Lord lshido's permission." "Not even my master." " Did you know he was there?" " Not until you told me." " But you saw earlier." " Yes." "And I saw what you did, putting yourself between lshido's arrow and my back." " Your bravery is greater than mine." " No, please." "You must not say that." "That is the truth." "How do you say "truth" in Japanese?" "Honto." "Then it is honto that you are braver than I." "You are brave and you are beautiful." "You have a honeyed tongue." "That you are beautiful is honto as well." "Here it is not wise to notice another man's woman." "Our customs are very strong." "For example, if a married woman is found alone with a man, by law her husband or his brother or his father can put her to death." "That's not even civilised." "We find ourselves quite civilised, Anjin-san." "You must remember our culture is a thousand years old." "We are ancient people." "Our emperor is the 1 07th of his unbroken line, right back to the celestial spirits." "If you believe that, how can you also say you're a Catholic?" "I am only a ten-year Christian, and though I believe in the Christian God with all my soul, our Emperor is without question." "Yes, I am a Christian, but first I am Japanese." "Get down!" "Stay down!" "Hai." "Lord Toranaga wishes us to go with him." "My husband will take a separate route." " lf we separate..." " Do not argue, please." "Wakarimasu." "Who were they?" "Who attacked us?" "Lord lshido's men?" "Bandits or... I do not know." " Who are they?" " Lord Toranaga's samurai." "In Osaka Castle at the appointed hour," "General Hiromatsu followed Lord Toranaga's instructions." "He requested an immediate interview with Lord lshido." ""What could be so urgent?" demanded the master of Osaka Castle." "Lord Toranaga's letter was his resignation from the Council of Regents." " How can we reach the galley?" " Lord Toranaga will find a way." "The odds are not exactly in our favour." "He has asked me to explain to you what he has done." "My master has resigned from the Council of Regents." "Now there are only four of them, and five are needed to make any decision." " lshido will appoint another one." " No." "He cannot." "The four will have to agree, and they will argue." " Sooner or later they'll decide." " By then my master will be safe." "Mariko..." "Hai, tono." "Lord Toranaga says you and I will go to the galley and tell them we have been attacked by bandits." " Will they believe you?" " Whatever, we are to go onto the galley." "Then I'll want a knife." "Better give me two." "You go over there!" "Hurry!" "lsogi!" "lsogi!" "lsogi!" " Konbanwa, Anjin-san." " Konbanwa, Captain-san." "The Captain says you saved his ship during the storm on your trip here." "Ask him if his ship is ready to sail when the others arrive." "He says the ship is ready to leave on your command." "The castle alarm." "Lord lshido knows." "Look at him." "As if he had all the time in the world." "I... I thank you for my life, Anjin-san." "Hai." " Anjin-san!" " Hai?" " Hai, Captain-san." "Cast off." " Hai." "Any closer and I will blow her out of the water." " No." " We risk nothing and gain everything." "We pretend we didn't know Toranaga was aboard." "We thought the bandits, led by the heretic, were going to attack us." "The galley is flying Toranaga's flag." "False colours." "That's the oldest trick in the world." "With Toranaga dead, that would make things simple for us." "We will not interfere in their politics." "But you interfere all the time." "The Society of Jesus is famous for interfering." "Don't talk to me as if I'm some thick-headed peasant." " While I'm aboard, you will not sink her." " Then kindly go ashore." "They could blow us to hell." "No Portuguese ship would fire on us." "Mariko." "Anjin..." "My master asks what you would do to break through." "Cannon would be best, but there aren't any and this ship couldn't hold them." "You could put 20 men with muskets on the bow and simply blast through." "Santiago!" "Sight for the quarterdeck!" "Aye, sir, she's an easy target." "It's a waste to kill a pilot like that." "We should use him." "Ready, sir." "I say thou shalt not kill." "But we kill all the time, Father." "While I am here, there will be no killing." "Ahoy, frigate!" "Ahoy, lnglés!" " ls that you, Rodrigues?" " Aye!" "Permission to come aboard?" "Who, lnglés?" "Lord Toranaga, his interpreter and guards." "I don't want samurai aboard." "Lord Toranaga must bring some." "It's a matter of face." "Settle on five." "Five." "But tell that heretic he must come as well." " Why?" " For my amusement, Eminence." "For my amusement." "Tell him." "Five guards only, lnglés." "But you come, too." "Why me?" "Tell him something, Pilot." "Convince him." "There's grog on the table." "There's a fine roast capon with greens and gravy." "There's new golden bread and a side of beef." "There's fresh oranges from Goa, and there's even a gallon of Madeira wine to wash it all down." "Damn you to hell, Rodrigues!" "He's coming." "Permission to come aboard!" "Well, look who's gone Jappo." " You didn't say there were priests." " You didn't ask." " Where's the food?" " ln my cabin." "Come, I'll show you." " l'll give you some decent clothes." " The food first, Spaniard." "A Spaniard would let you starve, Jappo." "In there." "Listen, you whore-gutted, pox-marked motherless scum." "I need a favour." "Slowly, lnglés." "Slowly." "Which do you prefer, brandy or grog?" "Both." "Lord Toranaga says Lord lshido is trying to kill him." "So are many other lords." "They have done in the past and will do again." "He says if he is killed, it will simplify things for the moment." "He is in lshido's trap now." "If the trap works, it will produce a temporary advantage." "If Lord Toranaga escapes, then there never was a trap." "Enough, enough, enough!" "Ask him what he wants." "Lord Toranaga said he was considering asking you to build a large temple, a cathedral in Yedo, as a measure of his confidence in our interests." "I thank you, Lord Toranaga." "I've yearned for many years to hear that news." "We will always endeavour to assist you." "He says since there are pirates in the harbour..." "Pirates?" "Hell!" "He requires 20 muskets and enough shot to deal with it." "You're always selling arms." "This should be no problem." "Not for you." "You've made your deal." "What's he offering me?" "Please, Captain, you must help us." "Please." "I beg you on behalf of the Church." "Since you ask help in the Church's name, of course I will do what you ask." "In return l want the Captain-Generalship of next year's Black Ship, whether this year is successful or not." "You dare ransom me and the Church?" "This is merely a business arrangement between you, me and this monkey." "He is no monkey." "Remember that." "What next?" "Surely there's something else." "I want the heretic." "I want the Englishman." "Lord Toranaga says that you can have the Englishman." "Madonna, what a pig!" "Get him up onto the quarterdeck." "Get someone to clean this cabin up." "Come on, you drunken piece of English filth." "Wake up!" " Listen, lnglés." " Leave me alone." "I owed you a life." "Now that's settled." "Throw him overboard." "And stay the hell off my ship!" "What have you done?" "The lnglés offended me, so I threw him overboard." " l want this man aboard!" " You'll have to swim after him." "Damn your soul, Rodrigues!" "You know what you've cost me?" "I'm sorry, Captain." "How was I to know you wanted him?" "Put the priests ashore." "We are sailing for Macao." "Yes, Captain." "Whatever you say." "Thy mouth in the devil's ear, lnglés!" "Thy mother was there first, Rodrigues!" "Now!" "Why are we stopped at Anjiro?" "The Erasmus..." "Where's my ship?" "Lord Toranaga had it moved to Yedo for safety." "Yedo?" "What about my crew?" "They are under Lord Toranaga's protection in Yedo." "Yabu-sama!" "Yabu-sama!" "Yabu-sama!" " What's he doing?" " He's inspecting Lord Yabu's troops." " And then what?" " He will let us know." ""Samurai of Izu, vassals of my friend Kasigi Yabu," ""l am honoured to be here." ""l am honoured to see part of the strength of Izu," ""the forces of my great ally." ""Today dark clouds are gathering over the empire" ""to threaten the Taiko's peace." ""Let every samurai be prepared." ""Let every weapon be sharp." ""Together we will defend our country." ""Together we will prevail. "" "Toranaga-sama!" "The sound of his personal samurai celebrating Lord Toranaga's name caused Kasigi Yabu's pride to vanish with his honour." "But Toranaga understood Yabu's potential for treachery." "Yabu's troops had responded as Toranaga knew they would." "Now that he had diminished Yabu, he would raise him up again." ""l have carried this sword for 1 5 years." ""We've gone through many battles together, and it has never failed me," ""as I know you, Kasigi Yabu, will never fail me. "" "This is Lord Toranaga's gift for you." "Domo, Toranaga-sama." "Aren't we going with him?" " No." " Then how do we get to Yedo?" "Lord Toranaga said we were going to Yedo." "My ship is there." " We are to stay here." " Why here?" "You expressed an interest in learning our language." "That is what my master wishes you to do." "But why here?" "Why not in Yedo?" "I'm sorry, Anjin-san, but I do not know." "I can only tell you that Lord Toranaga is very wise." "Whatever his reason, it must be very good." "Aren't you going to open your present?" "Lord Yabu says that you are welcome in this village." "This paper is under Lord Toranaga's seal, Anjin-san." "You are to keep it." "He has given you a great honour." "He has made you hatamoto." "You are a special retainer on his personal staff." "That house is to be provided for you." "Lord Yabu says that you will please learn our language as quickly as possible." "And tonight you will go to his house." "Wakarimasu ka, Anjin-san?" "Hai, wakarimasu." "Domo, Yabu-sama." "Hai, Yabu-sama." "What did he say?" "He..." "Lord Yabu told them that you are his honoured guest here." "He said that you are also Lord Toranaga's very honoured retainer." "That you are here to learn our language." "This whole village has the honour and responsibility of teaching you." "What else?" "The village is responsible, Anjin-san." "If you have not learned to speak our language well enough in six months, the village will be burned." "But before that, every man, woman and child will be crucified." " Crucified?" " Those are Lord Yabu's orders." "There is nothing anyone can do to stop him." "There must be some way." "In Japan, Anjin-san, there are only Japanese ways." " Konbanwa, Anjin-san." " Konbanwa." "Good evening." "Did you enjoy your walk?" "I walked through the village." "Looked at their faces." "I know that Lord Yabu's orders distressed you, but you must learn to be patient with us." "Patient?" "Please sit down." "You must be tired." "Thank you." "Would you like some sake?" "Or a bath, maybe." " The water is hot." " Some sake, please." "Thank you." "Domo." "I'm honoured to tell you that Usaki Fujiko is given to you as consort." "What?" "Lord Toranaga asked her if she would be your consort, and she said she would be honoured and she has agreed." " But I haven't agreed." " But, Anjin-san, you cannot refuse." "The Lady Fujiko would be considered a great honour." "She is recently widowed." "She is only nineteen, but she has lost her husband and her son and is filled with remorse." "What happened to her husband and son?" "They were put to death." "Her husband foolishly put Lord Toranaga's life in danger." "Lord Toranaga had an infant put to death for something the father did?" "Yes." "Our customs are different from yours." "You see, by law, we belong to our liege lord." "By law, a father possesses the lives of his wife, children and consorts." "Your husband could put you to death?" "Yes, that is his right." "If you accept the Lady Fujiko, she will look after your house and servants." "Or, if you prefer, simply ignore her." "Think of her as nothing, but allow her to stay." "Accept her and then, if she offends you, you will have the right to kill her." "That's the only answer you have, isn't it?" "No, Anjin-san." "Life and death are the same." "Maybe you will do Fujiko-san a greater service by taking her life." "So I'm trapped again." "If I don't accept her, she will die." "If I don't learn your language, a village will be butchered." "If I don't do whatever you want, some innocent will always be killed." "There's no way out." "Anjin-san forget the village." "A million things can happen before those six months are up." "You must leave karma to karma." "Today you are here, and nothing you can do will change that." "Tomorrow does not exist." "There is only now." "There is only this moment." "Nothing else." "Nothing." "Omi-san has been ordered to escort you to Lord Yabu's house." "I'm sorry, Anjin-san, but Omi-san orders you to give him your pistol." "Tell him this weapon is a gift from Lord Toranaga." "He already knows that, Anjin-san." "Please, Anjin-san." "This is very dangerous." "You must see Lord Yabu without your pistol." "I'll kill him if he comes any nearer." "You can leave the pistol here or give it to Fujiko-san." "What could she do?" "He'll just take it from her." "Listen to me." "Fujiko-san is your consort." "If you order it, she will protect the pistol with her life." "I'm sorry, Anjin-san, but you must do something." "I want you to say this to Fujiko-san exactly." ""l'm going to give you my pistol." ""You are to guard it." "No one but me is to touch it."" "Shall we go?" " What did he say?" " He will report this to Lord Yabu." "Your consort points out that a hatamoto has to wear the two swords of a samurai." "She asked if you would consider using these." "What did he say?" "Lord Yabu received a message from Osaka saying Ito Teruzumi has been chosen for the Council of Regents." "He has taken his place and Lord lshido is the new president." "Lord Yabu says they are going to impeach Lord Toranaga in 20 days." "Lord Toranaga was wrong." "They agreed on someone." "I have told you, Anjin-san, Lord Toranaga is very wise." "He is seldom wrong." "But if this time he is wrong, what will happen?" "Tomorrow does not exist." "20 tomorrows is a long time." "Lord Yabu asks if you have ever been part of any battles on land." "Yes, in Holland and once in France." "As a favour, he would like to know European strategy." "He would like to know how battles are fought in your country." "I would be happy to grant Lord Yabu's favour." "Even more." "If he wishes, I will train his men to fight." "To fight so that they are unbeatable." "But in return l would also ask a favour." "I would ask Lord Yabu as a humble favour to rescind his decree about the village." "Lord Yabu says the village is unimportant." "The villagers are nothing for you to be concerned about." "Please apologise to Lord Yabu, but I must ask him to rescind the decree tonight." "He just said no, Anjin-san." "It would not be polite." "Yes, I understand." "But please ask him again." "It is very important to me." "Please, Mariko-san." "He says the village means nothing, but his decree cannot be changed." "Thank you." "Yes, I understand." "Please thank Yabu-san, but tell him that I cannot live with this shame." "What?" "I cannot live with the shame of having the village on my conscience." "I am dishonoured." "It is more than I can bear." "It is against my Christian beliefs." "I will have to commit suicide at once." "Suicide?" "Lord Yabu says that suicide is not a foreign custom." "It is against the Christian God." "How can you kill yourself?" "I am very sorry, but custom or not, God or not, the shame of the village is greater than I can bear." "I am in Japan. I am hatamoto." "I have a right to live by your laws." "Lord Yabu asks how you would commit suicide." "Anjin-san..." "Lord Yabu says the decree will not be changed." "I'm... I am very sorry." "Lord Yabu says that whatever you learn will be enough." "The village will not be burned." "Do you hear me, Anjin-san?" "The rain is fine, isn't it?" "You should rest now, Anjin-san." "Yes." "I would like to go home." "Sorry to be so slow." "You must not be sorry, Anjin-san." "Tonight you are reborn." "This is another life." "A new life." "Hai." "Domo." "Hai. I slept very well." "Domo." "How do you say it?" "Yoku..." "Hai and your language, all European languages, are much more difficult than Japanese." "Japanese is really very simple." "Look how much you have learned already." "Most Japanese verbs end in -masu." "To make it a question, you just add ka." "Wakarimasu ka?" "Do you understand?" "Wakarimasu. I understand." "To make it negative, you just change -masu to -masen." "..."l do not understand"." ""To eat" is..." "Ask me if I have eaten." "Or if I have not eaten, what do I say?" "..."to go"." " Are they all that way?" " Almost." "Write them down." "..."to read"." "..."to come"." "..."to cut"." "..."to become"." "How do you say "there is"?" "..."there is" or "there are"." "They are both the same." "...means "l go", but also "you", "he", "she", "they" and "we go"." "It is very simple." "But how do you tell the difference between "l go" and "they go"?" "By inflection, Anjin-san." "And by tone." "Listen." "Sounds exactly the same!" "That is because you are still thinking in your own language." "To understand Japanese, you have to think Japanese." "Our language is the language of the infinite." "It is all so simple, Anjin-san." " l've never seen you do that before." " What?" "Laugh." "Really laugh, as though you were happy." "Right now, I am happy." "Tomorrow does not exist." "Only now." "Only this moment, Anjin-san." "I wish this moment could last for ever." " l wish..." " What do you wish?" "I wish you were to be my consort." "I belong to Lord Buntaro, and until he is dead," "I cannot think or say what might be thought or said." "Please, Anjin-san." "Do not say any more." "...is "l", and...is "you"." "To make it possessive, you change wa to no." " Wakarimasu ka?" " Hai." "Possessive." "Very good." "...means "this is"." "...means "What is this?"" ""Paper" is..." "Where in God's name did she find that?" "Fujiko-san says one of the servants caught this pheasant." "She understands that you eat meat, so she sent them to hunt for you." "Now I want to hang that pheasant." "I'll need some rope." "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to hang the pheasant there." "It will go rotten." "It should be prepared at once." "Pheasant meat is dry, so you hang it for a few days." " lt matures the meat." " Anjin-san..." "Domo." "Some think you should hang a pheasant by the tail feathers until it drops off, but that's an old wives' tale." "The neck's the place." "The juices stay where they belong." "Some people let it hang till it falls off the neck, but I don't like my meat quite that gamey." "There." "No one is to touch it but me." "Mariko, explain." "No one but me." "Now, that is going to be a royal feast." "Please do not let me disturb you." "No, I was just... I'm almost finished." " l can come back later if you wish." " No, no." "You're not disturbing me." "Did your training go well, Anjin-san?" "Yes, very well." "Lord Yabu's men are learning very quickly." "is this usual?" "I mean, for you to be...to be..." "To be sharing your bath?" "In Japan, Anjin-san, we have no shame of our bodies." "Everything is natural and normal." "And because there are so many of us, that is also necessary." "The one thing we do not have is privacy." "So we must learn to create our own." "We are taught from childhood to disappear within ourselves, to grow impenetrable walls behind which we live." "What walls?" "We have an endless maze to hide in, Anjin-san." "Rituals and customs." "Even our language has nuances, which allow us to avoid any question we do not want to answer." "May I share your bath?" "Yes." "Dozo." "Please." "I will tell you a secret." "Do not be fooled by our bows and smiles, our gentleness and attentions." "Beneath them all we can be far away, safe and alone." "That is what we seek." "Oblivion." "Someday you will understand." "I'm sure, someday you will understand." "Mariko?" "...Anjin-sama." "...Fujiko-san." "Hai." "Hai." "In fact, I slept marvellously well." "Someday perhaps you will." "is something wrong?" "Nothing's wrong." "At this moment, nothing in the whole world." "Then shall we begin our lesson?" "Thou art beautiful and I love thee." "Love is a Christian word." "Thou art beautiful and Christian and I love thee." "I will take that as a compliment." "Take it as I meant it." "You seem very happy today." "You know why." "I know nothing, Anjin-san." "Nothing?" "Why have you lost your smile?" "Because I don't understand." "There is nothing to understand." "What passed in the night, then?" "I passed your door in the night when my maid was with you." "What?" "Fujiko-san and I, we thought she would be a pleasing gift for you." "And she pleased you, did she not?" " lt was no maid!" " lt was." "We anointed her with my perfume and instructed her not to speak, only to touch." "A joke concerning things of great importance can be without humour." "Things of great import will always be treated with great import." "But a maid in the night with a man is without import." "It is only a gift from her to him and sometimes from him to her." "Nothing more." "Never?" "Only when the woman and the man join together against the law." "If a woman who belonged to a man, as I belong to Lord Buntaro... lf she joined with another man, that would be a serious crime." "A crime punishable by death." "Forgive me." "I am a fool." "How do I tell this maid that I love her?" "That would not be seemly." "It is our custom to make life simple." "We admire simplicity, so men and women can take pillowing for what it is." " Then nothing is to be said between us?" " Nothing." "That is wise." "And if I don't agree?" "You must." "You are here." "This is your home." " Konnichiwa, Anjin-san." " Konnichiwa." "This interests you, does it?" "Pistol." "Go on, hold it." "Go on." "Lord Buntaro rode at Toranaga's side, a position of great honour, as they entered Anjiro." "That Toranaga had ordered his wife to teach Blackthorne displeased Buntaro." "The thought of Mariko alone with a barbarian was insult enough." "To think beyond that could only produce an unspeakable fury." "Even the barbarian's house had a foul smell." "For Lord Buntaro, the loathsome sight of the hanging pheasant was not as distasteful as the sight of the barbarian himself." "Please bow." "Please." "My husband says that he was told what you said to Lord Yabu, that 1 00 men with muskets could defeat his 500." "My husband said that his bow and arrow can kill at a much greater range, with greater accuracy and faster than the musket." "Tomorrow I'll shoot against him, if he likes, and we will see." "You will lose, Anjin-san." "I'm sorry." "May I caution you not to attempt it." "Tell him I would like to see him shoot tomorrow." "Tell Buntaro-sama, in my country a host always toasts his honoured guest." "Long life and happiness!" "Health!" "Health and wealth!" "Health, wealth and a steady hand!" "My husband says you wanted to see him shoot, Anjin-san." "He thinks tomorrow is too far away." "Now is a good time." "The gateway of your house, he asks which post you choose." "The right post." "He..." "My husband would like you to go look." "There's no need." "I believe he hit the target." "Please, Anjin-san." "Please tell my consort to leave all the arrows in the post forever." "To remind me of a master archer." "Sake!" "I am sorry, Anjin-san but my husband orders me to tell to tell you about myself, about my family." "He commands me." "My maiden name is Akechi." "I am the daughter of General Lord Akechi Jinsai, the assassin." "My father assassinated the dictator Lord Goroda." "My father committed the worst crime there is." "My blood is tainted." "But how...?" "I've heard..." "How were you left alive?" "My husband honoured me." "He honoured me by sending me away." "I begged to be allowed to commit seppuku, to kill myself." "He has denied me that privilege." "I have told you that I belong to him." "Instead of divorcing or casting me out, as he should have done, he sent me away to Shonai Province in the north." "It was very cold there." "My husband says that it is enough for me to tell you that I am the daughter of a traitor." "Long explanations are unnecessary." "He orders me to leave now." "Sake." "What the hell is going on?" "Go away, Anjin-san." "Please go away!" " How bad are you?" " Please go away." "Your presence here takes away my face." "It gives me no peace or comfort." "You shame me." "I want to help you." "You have no right in this." "This is between husband and wife." "That's no excuse to beat you." "Listen to me, Anjin-san." "He can beat me to death if he wishes." "He has the right." "Tonight is my fault." "If I would weep as he wants, beg forgiveness as he wants, spread myself in pretended fear as he wants," "then he would be like a child in my hand." "But I will not." "Why?" "Because that is my revenge, to repay him for leaving me alive after the treachery." "From that moment, I have never given myself to him freely." "And I never will." "I detested him from the first moment I saw him." "Now, please go, please." "If he comes back... I'm not afraid of him." "But you should be." "Get up, you bastard!" "I said get up!" "It was inconceivable that Lord Buntaro's honour could allow him to apologise." "Blackthorne realised that was exactly what Mariko's husband was doing, bowing low, abjectly." "Lord Buntaro had disturbed the harmony of Blackthorne's house." "An apology was required, whether he meant it or not." "Face had to be saved for both of them." "Wakarimasu." "Sake." "Too much sake." "Hai, wakarimasu." "Domo." "Domo." "Fujiko-san nan desu ka?" "That was supposed to be my dinner." "What happened?" "Wakarimasen." "I see." "Who was it?" "Dare?" "Where is he?" "Dead?" "What for?" "For taking that damn bird away?" "What the hell are you talking about?" "You killed that old man for a God-cursed, stinking bird?" "You murdering bitch!" "That won't bring him back to life." "lye, Fujiko-san." "lye." "It's not your fault." "It is my fault for giving that foolish, God-cursed order." "I wish I could explain that to you now." "It is not you." "The old man's death is on my head, not yours." "Wakarimasen." " Konnichiwa, Toranaga-sama." " Anjin ka?" "Domo." "My master says that he is pleased to see you, but that you are looking troubled." "He wishes to know why." "The old man, the old gardener." "I am responsible for his death." "Nanja?" "It was all officially dealt with." "There is no need to be troubled." " You knew?" " Yes." "The stench of decay is revolting to us, so something had to be done." "Why not come to me?" "That pheasant was meaningless." "You are head of the house and gave an order." "Fujiko-san, as your consort, was duty-bound to see it carried out." "There was only one solution." "One of the servants had to take it away." " And die for it?" " The gardener asked for the privilege." "He was very happy to die honourably." "Believe me, Anjin-san, there is nothing for you to be troubled about." "My master says what had to be done was done." "He asks me to tell you the news from Osaka." "What news?" "Lord Sugiyama resigned from the Council of Regents." "Now there are only four again, and again they cannot act." "Lord lshido was very angry." "Lord Sugiyama, his wife, his consort and his children have all been killed." "By lshido?" " Can he do that?" " lt was done." "The deaths were very bad." "The Council of Regents may never meet again." "What will happen?" "War." "A long war which will destroy the Empire." " Unless..." " What?" "Unless Lord Toranaga petitions the Emperor to make him Shogun." " Do you understand what that means?" " No." "Shogun." "Shogun is the military ruler of the whole country." "He says that the time has come to prepare your ship for war." " Tono!" " Toranaga-sama!" " Tono!" " Toranaga-sama!" "Climb!" "is it over?" "Until the next time." "It is over until it begins again." "Karma, neh?" "Karma." "Nanja?" "Toranaga-sama, dozo." "Fujiko-san." "Can I see?" "I don't want her to die." "Domo." "Fujiko-san." "Konbanwa, Naga-san." "Domo." "Konbanwa, Toranaga-sama." "Domo." "Lord Toranaga wishes to know how long before his ship is ready for war?" "On whom do I war, Mariko-san?" "On whom do you wish to war?" "On this year's Black Ship." "What?" "With Lord Toranaga's permission, my ship and a little help, we can split the cargo, all silks and bullion." "My master says that will make war against a friendly nation." "It could not be forgiven." "The Portuguese are essential to Japan." "The Portuguese are less his friends than he may think." "Portugal's finances depend upon the Black Ship." "There's the balance of power, right in Lord Toranaga's hand." "He says that he is not at war with the Portuguese." "He will not attack the Black Ship." "I could do it." "With the Erasmus, my ship, I could out-sail and sink her." "But you have no ship, Anjin-san." "Whose ship am I outfitting?" "Preparing a ship for war is not the same as having it returned to you." "He reminds me that my opinions have no value and that interpreters should only interpret." "My master says that the Black Ship will arrive soon, but under no circumstances can you consider attacking the Black Ship here." "This is not anywhere." "This is the land of the gods." ""The time has come when war can no longer be avoided, a war against me." ""Rather than wait for the battle to begin, who will join me in attacking first?"" "Lord Toranaga says, "Today I was almost killed." ""The Anjin-san pulled me out of the ground." ""That is the second, maybe the third time that he has saved my life." ""Although it is bushido that samurai shouldn't expect reward for any service," ""it is the duty of a liege lord to grant favours from time to time."" ""The Anjin-san is given a fishing village south of Yedo," ""the right to recruit 200 samurai retainers, 1 0 horses and 20 kimonos."" ""To be a samurai is the highest honour a man can hope to attain." ""To accept the duty of a samurai is the greatest oath a man can make." ""The obedience of a samurai is without question."" "Hai, Toranaga-sama." "Wakarimasu." "Lord Toranaga presents this katana to you in return for the one you gave him." "They were made by the master Yori-ya." "The sword is the soul of a samurai." "If he forgets it or loses it, he will never be excused." "Domo, Toranaga-sama." "Domo." ""Because from this moment on," ""you, Anjin-san, you are now samurai."" ""You, Anjin-san, you are now samurai. "" "Part of my reward?" "What part of my reward?" "You will see." "Lord Toranaga has ordered her for you." " He's ordered a woman for me?" " Yes." "Kiku-san." "You cannot refuse. it would be terribly impolite after so many honours." "And it will be interesting for me." "Why?" "I have never met a lady from the Willow World." " The Willow World?" " Yes, that is what it is called." "Because the ladies are supposed to be as graceful as willows." "You must agree to go, Anjin-san." "You know I can't refuse you anything." "Good." "It is all very official, and, for tonight, you must be very Japanese." "What do I have to do?" "You must forget what you have to do and remember that this night is only for your pleasure." "Gyoko-san welcomes you to her house." "Her house?" "She's not...?" "is she the reward?" "No, she is the Mama-san here." "I have always wanted to look inside one of these houses." "Even in a small village, just look at it." "Everything is beautiful." " Thou art beautiful." " And you." "I am so proud of you, proud to be with you here." "Tonight there are no cares." "Tonight there is only magic for you." "Thou art magic for me." "When a lady of one man cares for another man, and wishes to give him something of consequence that is forbidden to give, then she will arrange for another to take her place." "A gift, the most beautiful gift that she can find." "Anjin-sama..." "Kiku-san is honoured by your company." "Tell her I remember the first time we met." "The first time?" "Just tell her." "She is honoured that you remember." "She says you are very different than you were then." "When was that?" "The day I left for Osaka." "I saw her in the street." "That seems very far away." "It is, Anjin-san." "Tonight everything is far away." "Kiku-san asks if you would like her to play or dance for you." "What is your preference?" "This lady is here for your pleasure, samurai, not mine." "And you?" "Are you also here for my pleasure?" "Yes, in a way, in a very private way." "Please ask her to play." "My God, that's wonderful." "Now I must leave thee." " Let us leave together." " l beg thee, stay." "For thy honour and hers." "And mine, Anjin-san." "I do not desire thy gift." "I desire thee." "I am thine, Anjin-san." "Please stay and know that tonight I am thine." "Then be with me." "I am." "Speak no more." "I would put my fingers to thy lips to silence thee, but I cannot." "Gyoko-san." "Domo, Kiku-san." " lkimasu ka?" " Hai." "My master says that you are to leave with him in the morning." " For Yedo?" " First you will go to Yokose, then Yedo." "I thought he wanted me to prepare my ship for war?" " Why send me to Yokose?" " lt is between here and Mishima." "It is on the way to Yedo." "Lord Toranaga will be stopping there." "He wishes you to write down everything about your family." "Why?" "A samurai has to have his birth and death recorded." "How else can a liege lord keep everything balanced?" "I would like to thank Lord Toranaga for his favour and his many gifts." "If he would choose my 200 retainers, his guidance would be worth anything." ""ls it worth 1 ,000 koku?"" "Hai." "He says that you are generous and accepts your offer." "Your men will be waiting for you in Yedo." "Domo, Toranaga-sama." " l've seen no country like this in Europe." " Yes, it is beautiful." "What happens when we get to Yokose?" "I do not know, Anjin-san, but Lord Toranaga is meeting his half-brother," "Lord Saigawa Zataki, Lord of Shinao." "Lord Zataki has been appointed to the Council of Regents." "There are five again." "But you said... lf he's Lord Toranaga's half-brother, then it's all right." "No, Anjin-san, Lord Zataki is a traitor." "He has allied himself with Lord lshido." "Ishido?" "Then what will happen?" "We will wait and see." "Lord Toranaga is very wise." "His karma is great." "Thy beauty is greater." "And thy patience is small." " Konnichiwa, Anjin." " Konnichiwa, Buntaro-sama." "My husband asks you to excuse him, but he must talk to me in private." "Dozo." "Lord Zataki, the newest member of the Council of Regents, and now Lord lshido's ally." "Toranaga met his half-brother politely, apologising for the informal setting, allowing neither his inner feelings nor his thoughts to be read, even by this man he had known since childhood." "Whatever message Zataki carried, first their individual honour had to be protected." "For a moment I did not recognise you, Pilot-Major." "God curse you and all priests." " May God forgive your blasphemy." " What are you doing here?" " l might ask you the same." " You'll get no answers from me, priest." "I pray God will open your eyes to his infinite mercy." "Mine are open." "Yours are fogged." "The swords suit you, Pilot." "I heard that you saved Lord Toranaga's life and I thank you for that." "Wait." "Lord Toranaga has been ordered to Osaka by the Council of Regents." "When?" "Now, Pilot." "Now." "Lord Zataki said that if Lord Toranaga does not go to Osaka, he has an order from the Council of Regents instructing Lord Toranaga to commit suicide." "Lord Toranaga would have to obey." "Father Alvito." "I did not know that you were in Yokose." "It is always a pleasure to see you, Lady Toda, no matter where." "He's leaving." "Lord Toranaga said that he would give his answer tomorrow." "I hope to see you again." "Please do not look at me like that." "I cannot help it." "Lord Toranaga has ordered my husband to make peace with me." "My husband is preparing a cha no yu, a tea ceremony." "What are you going to do?" "I shall try, try with all my heart to obey." "Having been commanded by Toranaga to make peace with his wife," "Lord Buntaro began to prepare the ancient ritual of the cha no yu, the tea ceremony." "The first required perfection was absolute cleanliness the second, complete simplicity." "In her heart, Mariko felt unworthy of such a beautiful ceremony." "But there was more." "Lord Buntaro asked, "Can we be together again as husband and wife?"" "Lord Buntaro knew why his wife refused to live in harmony in him." "Anjin!" "Listen, Brothers." "We are in judgement over Brother Joseph, who went with a whore of this town last night, breaking his holy oath of obedience, desecrating his immortal soul, his position as a Jesuit, his place in the Church" "and all that that stands for." "You, sinner." "Before God, you admit your sin?" "It was the first time, Father." "I have been sinless all my life, until last night." "I was tempted." "Blessed Madonna, forgive me. I failed." "I beg forgiveness, Father." "As initial penance, you are forbidden to talk." "You will have only rice and water for the next 30 days." "You will spend the next 30 nights on your knees in prayer for forgiveness." "And further, you will be scourged." "Thirty lashes." "Take off your cassock." "I accept my punishment, Father, but I won't be lashed like a common criminal." "You will be scourged!" "Excuse me. ln the name of the Madonna, it is not the pain." "Pain is nothing to me." "Death is nothing to me." "That I am damned and will burn in hell for all eternity may be my karma." "I will endure it, but I am samurai and I will not be scourged!" "Keep silent and obey, or you are excommunicated." "Seize him and strip him." "Please, Brother...give me the knife." "No!" "Then, pray for me, Brother, as I pray for you." "Stop!" " Michael." " Yes." "Leave him alone." "God have mercy on you, Joseph." "You are excommunicated." "I renounce the Christian God." "I am Japanese." "My soul is my own now." "I am not afraid." "Satan has possessed your soul on earth, as he will possess it after death." "Get thee gone!" "Lord Toranaga has agreed." "He is going to Osaka." "Do you know what that means, Pilot?" "For you, now that you are samurai, samurai and hatamoto?" "Now you will be ordered to commit seppuku." "Suicide." "That's karma, in the hands of God." "Call it what you will." "May God have mercy on you." "For as God is my judge, I believe you will never leave these islands." "Lord Toranaga is returning to Anjiro." "He is going to Yedo by galley, so he will be there when we arrive." "My husband will accompany him." "May God bless you and keep you in his hands forever." "Thank you, Father." "Good morning, Pilot." "How are you today?" "Well, thank you." "And you?" "We are travellers on the same road." "You won't object if we ride with you?" "Not at all, Father." "I'm sure these ladies won't object either." "Have you noticed, Pilot, there are no carriages in Japan?" "Nothing with wheels." "They are of no use here." "The roads are too steep, criss-crossed with rivers and streams." "Wheels would ruin the road, so they are forbidden to all except the Emperor." "He travels only a few ceremonial ri in Kyoto on a special road." "Look at this road we're on." "I was wondering when you'd notice." "You knew?" "I would like to speak with him." "That's not possible." "Lord Toranaga's ordered that no one speak to him." "I shall report this to the Father-Visitor." "You excommunicated the man, priest." "You cast him out." "He has nothing to do with you any more." "He's back where he belongs." "And you, samurai, where do you belong?" "If thou knewest how I love thee." "I love thee more." "Thou art my first love." "My only love." "But now I tremble with fear for thee." "There is no fear." "There is only now." "I fear that I have destroyed thee, my love." "By this beginning, we are doomed, you and I." "I have destroyed thee." "I am not easily destroyed." "Karma is karma." "Thou art strong and thou art samurai, and I love thy touch." "And yet I am still afraid for thee." "And yet there is nothing to fear as long as thou art in my arms." "I wish to be nowhere else." "Whatever else happens on this journey is not important." "We will live this moment until Yedo's First Bridge." "There our journey must end." "No." "There must be an ending, my love." "The First Bridge." "Our journey together ends." " Swear it." " l cannot." "Swear to me, I beg you." "The First Bridge is but a dream." "I ask you with my heart." "Swear to me." "I swear I love thee." "The First Bridge at Yedo." "I swear." "We shall be leaving you now." "Our road leads to the port of Numazu." " But our paths shall cross again." " Not willingly, priest." "I bear you no malice, Pilot." "I come now to bring you a gift." "Yes, a gift from God." "It is a Portuguese-Japanese dictionary and grammar." "Three of our brethren spent 27 years preparing it." "Why are you giving this to me?" "Knowledge belongs to God, not to man." "This is much too valuable simply to give away." "What do you want in return?" "Only that God may open your eyes." "Was it not Lord Toranaga's request?" "Yes, which I passed on to the Father-Visitor." "It was he that agreed." "I am only the messenger." "Cherish the gift, samurai." "It merits being treated well." "With this I'll learn the language in six months." "Yes, perhaps you will if you have six months." "I hope to see you in Yedo, Lady Toda." "Lord Toranaga has invited me there to see the site of our new cathedral." "Until then, may God keep you safe in his mercy." "Go with God, Father." "And you, my child." "What is it?" "Nothing, my love, nothing." "Come back to sleep." "No, I want to be with thee." "Asleep or awake, thou art with me constantly." "Yes." "Would we could live here forever." "Where is the lnglés now, Father?" "At one of the inns, south of Mishima." "They should reach the city tomorrow, even at their leisurely pace." "is he fit, the lnglés?" "More than fit." "You will be surprised to see him." "Surprised he's still alive." "Listen, Father, I know the lnglés is an enemy and heretic, but he saved my life and he's a pilot before he's anything else." "One of the best that there's ever been." "It's not wrong to respect an enemy, even to like one." "The Lord Jesus forgave his enemies." "Still they crucified him, if you remember." "Yes." "Still, the man's a pilot and pilots have a feeling for each other." "Blackthorne is a samurai." " What?" " And hatamoto." "He wears the swords." "The lnglés?" "And worse, he's becoming Toranaga's confidant." "Madonna!" "That's hard to believe." "At this moment, he may be the most dangerous man in all Japan." "Why?" " l didn't know I was so hungry." " Have some more, Father." "Capon?" "Bread?" "Thank you." "The lnglés why is he so dangerous?" "Toranaga is planning to give him back his ship and his men." "And his cannon." "Blessed Virgin, no!" " You find that serious?" " Serious?" "The Erasmus would blast us if she caught us twixt here and Macao!" "Or anywhere else, for that matter!" "We're no match." "She'd dance round us and we'd have to strike our colours." " Are you certain?" " Before God!" "The lnglés loose in Asian waters." "But you knew that." "You said he was dangerous." "Yes." "I still wanted to hear it from you." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Nothing." "I just thought I felt the tide change." "Listen, Father hear my confession." "The very first time the lnglés stood beside me on the galley out to sea when we were going from Anjiro, my heart told me to kill him." "Lord Jesus help me, but I sent him forward during the storm without a lifeline," "and I deliberately swerved into the wind." "He didn't go overboard as anyone else would have." "I thought that was the hand of God." "Later, when he saved my ship and saved my life, I was so ashamed, Father, that I secretly begged God's forgiveness and I swore a holy oath to try to make it up to him." "He saved my life though he knew I tried to murder him. I saw it in his eyes." "He saved me and helped me live." "Now I've got to kill him." " How many people live in Mishima?" " 60,000. lt is only a small city." "Small?" "In Europe, 60,000 would not be considered small." "Would you prefer to be in Europe at this moment?" "I am exactly where l choose to be." "By your side, in our world." "Yes." "This is the only world that exists for me." "How far is Yedo?" "Only a matter of time." " How much time?" " Not enough." "You're wrong, my love." "We have all the time in the world." "lye, kore de..." "Kore de mo kekko desu." "I'll be damned. lt worked." "Kore de mo kekko desu." ""Nothing more."" "I love to touch thee." "I love thy touch." "I have never known the feeling." "My body and soul have learned so much from thee." "Then let me touch thee more, beyond the First Bridge at Yedo." "No, my love." "But do not speak of that now." "Tonight, the First Bridge does not exist." "It is ten million times ten million sticks away." "Reality is only here." "I'm trying." "I'm trying." "But how do you keep a thought from coming into your head?" "Sometimes the dark mist creeps into my brain like a night fog." "Then there is no peace within me." "Yes." "You must know, my love, how to drink tea from an empty cup." "Inglés!" "Where the hell are you?" "Rodrigues." "Go quickly, my love, before Captain Yoshinaka comes." " Anjin-san!" " Nan desu ka, Yoshinaka-san?" "Tell these monkeys to let me pass!" "Rodrigues, I'm coming!" "Kore wa watashi no tomodachi desu." "Wakarimasu ka?" "He is my friend." "Hai, domo." "Madonna!" "You look good!" "Where did you come from?" "How did you find me?" "I'm anchored at Numazu." "Father Alvito told me you'd be here, so I rode as if the devil was after me." "This is the fifth inn i've been to, asking where the great Anjin-san was." " Big barbarian bandit!" " Come on!" "Yoshinaka-san, kore wa Rodrigo-san." "Kore wa watashi no tomodachi desu." "Listen to you." "Just like a Japper." "What the hell is this?" "lye, samurai-sama." "lye!" "Watashi tomodachi Anjin-san!" "Wakarimasu ka?" "Tomodachi!" " You tell him. I'm not giving up my arms." " Wakarimasen, Yoshinaka-san." "Rodrigo-san, tomodachi desu." "Like hell!" "lye!" "Let them have your arms. lt's not me." "It's Lady Toda." "She's in the house." "You know how touchy they are about weapons around their lords and ladies." "Why not?" "After all, I'm among friends." "Now what the hell is this?" "Searched?" "No, by God!" "is this how you usually visit your friends?" "The land's hostile, you know that." "Tell them to let me go!" " ls that the lot?" "Everything?" " Of course!" "I told you!" "And these?" "Answer me honestly, or I'll have them search the way a Spaniard would." "My hat band." "You would, wouldn't you?" "Before God, is this all?" " l told you!" " Swear it!" "By the Blessed Virgin, I swear!" "is it all right to sit down?" "Of course." " Searched like a common criminal." " You lied." "Yes, well, I was wrong." "You were right." " Even so, it's good to see you." " And you." "The world is a foul place when you can't trust anyone." "Tonight I came in friendship." " Armed in friendship?" " Being your friend complicated my life." "Thou art too dangerous." "So you came here to kill me?" "My people and my country would both be better off if you were dead." "Sad, but true." "How foolish life is." "I don't want you dead, Pilot." "Just your Black Ship." "Yes, I know." "Listen, lnglés, if we meet at sea, you in your ship, armed, me in mine, then look to your life." "That's all I came to promise you." "Only that." "I hope to catch your Black Ship at sea, Rodrigo-san." "And when I do, I will still think kindly of you." "Then it's all said." "Except for one thing." "That night on the frigate when I threw you overboard, that night your Lord Toranaga sold you to Ferriera." "Who are your friends now?" "That night on the galley when you swerved into the wind, that night you tried to put me overboard." "Yes." "Yes, it's true." "And I don't ask for forgiveness." "Not any more." "With thee, heresy has come to Eden." "Captain Yoshinaka was right to search him." "Was that your idea?" "Please excuse me, but I was afraid for you." "Sad, isn't it?" "Not being able to trust anyone." "It is not sad, Anjin-san, it is just one of life's most important rules." "No more, no less." "We must cross the bridge now." "Now it exists, the First Bridge." "We must go across." "It's only a bridge." "One of many." "It is the First Bridge, Anjin-san, and the last for us." "Yedo Castle, the home of Lord Toranaga." ""Alvito is coming to Yedo."" ""l wish to..." ""l want to..." ""l want..." ""l want Alvito to translate..."" "I am to tell you that you will have your samurai in a day or two." "When may I see my ship and my crew?" "My master says you may see your men tonight." "He will decide about your ship later." "Please ask him if I might speak to him privately." " By myself." " Why?" "What are you going to say?" "I am frightened, Blessed Madonna, and I am betrayed." "I know that suicide is mortal sin, but what else can I do?" "To live with this shame is more than I can bear." "The sight of the barbarian with his wife had dishonoured Lord Buntaro again." "Now his heart filled with rage." "For the first time, Mariko did not fear his anger." "I'm drunker than I thought." " l'm going to be sick." " Then use a bucket." "is that you?" "For the love of God, Pilot, is it truly you?" "Of course it's me." "We gave you up for dead long ago." "My prayers are answered." "Where've you been?" "Where've you come from?" "Come on." "Tell us all." "Lads, look what Father Christmas has brought us." " l thought you were a samurai!" " Foul heathen!" "Where's Captain-General Spillbergen?" "Dead." "He never came out of the pit." "Maetsukker, too." "Little rat face, he just rotted to death." "I wanted to bleed him, but nothing to cut him with." "I couldn't make these yellow heathen understand." "He went raving." "We had to tie him down." "The man was nothing but a foul stench..." "God rest his soul." "You haven't tried the grog yet, Pilot." "We make it ourselves." "By the barrel." "Rice, fruit, water, then we let it ferment." "Then we put it in this still we made." "It would be better if we let it mellow." " But, as fast as we make it, we drink it!" " Let the Pilot talk." "Yes, you talk, Pilot." "When I saw him, I thought he was one of the monkeys!" "Perhaps you prefer heathen ways now." "Are those real swords?" "They're real enough." "We're not allowed weapons." "How do you get swords?" "You haven't changed, Jan Roper, have you?" " Who are they?" " Them's our doxies." " Cost a button a week." " They rattle like stoats and no pox!" " Do you want one, Pilot?" " Take your choice and use my bunk." "Pilot doesn't want one of our harlots." "He's got his own." "Eh, Pilot?" "Has anyone seen the ship?" "Aye." "She's in the harbour, careened and scraped as if she were just built." "The rigging's perfect." "The sails!" "Pilot, you should see the sails!" " What about them?" " They made them out of silk." "Strong as canvas." "She's ready to sail on the tide." "Tonight, if need be." "Are we leaving, Pilot?" "is there enemy shipping in the waters?" "Are there prizes to be taken?" " There's a prize beyond your dreams." " Prize?" "What prize, Pilot?" "The Jesuits' Black Ship." "She's worth millions in gold." " Gold?" "Then we'll be rich!" " Plenty of Papists to kill!" "Very good!" " How can we sail her?" "There's six of us." " There will be a way." "Do you want to eat?" "We've got some lovely roast." " You staying with us?" "There's room." " Have some more grog." "You're home again." "Now you're back, our prayers are answered." " Three cheers for the Pilot!" "Hip, hip..." " Hooray!" "Fare-thee-well..." "Those God-cursed, filthy... !" "Nan desu ka?" " Konnichiwa, Anjin-san." " Konnichiwa, Mariko-san." " lt gladdens my heart to see thee." " Lord Toranaga has sent for us." "I know." "When can I speak to thee?" "That is very difficult now, Anjin-san." " lt was difficult before, but we did." " l'm sorry, but we must go now." " Konnichiwa, Toranaga-sama." " Anjin ka?" " My master asks if you saw your men." " Hai, tono." "There are only five now." "Two have died." "My master has sent for his son, Lord Suga, and his wife, Lady Genjiko." "My master orders me to translate everything that is said." "You must not speak at all." "Wakarimasu, Toranaga-sama." "Lord Suga asks if he has offended my master." "My master asks if treason is cause to be offended." "Lady Genjiko says that whoever accused her husband is a liar." "My master asks if Lord Suga always obeys orders." "Lord Suga said always." "He has ordered them to put their children to death." "Lord Suga says that his children are gone." "Lord Toranaga says that the children are safe." "My master needed to be sure of both Lord Suga and Lady Genjiko." "My master says that foul times require foul tests." "My master orders me to leave." "You are to remain here, Anjin-san." ""Open it." Wakarimasu." "You wanted to see me." "Yes." "Domo, Toranaga-sama." "I want your holy oath, priest, that what you hear will never be repeated." "Or?" "Or nothing will be said." "Perhaps that might be better, but you have my oath." "Then let me hear it before God." "I solemnly swear before God that what I hear will never pass my lips again." "Nor shall you write it, nor convey it in any fashion." "Swear to that." "As you have just spoken, so do I swear." "I humbly ask that you grant a divorce to the Lady Toda." "I humbly ask for her hand in marriage." "You can't be serious." "Ask him. ln my words." ""That is a very presumptuous request."" "Lord Toranaga forbids you to ever speak of it again." ""That is all."" "Hai, Toranaga-sama." "Kinjiru." "Wakarimasu." "Forbidden by Lord Toranaga to take Mariko's hand in marriage," "Blackthorne's world diminished into a sadness he had never known, lost in this foreign land, and only days before Lord Toranaga had to appear before the Council." "Fujiko-san." "How did you get here?" "Dozo." "Domo." "But your legs..." "Show me." "That's incredible, for burns to heal so quickly." "How...?" "lye, Fujiko-san." "No tears." "But Fujiko wept from shame, the shame that she had not served him as her duty required." "Oh, how I have missed thee." "And I have missed thee." "There is much to say." "No." "Only that I love thee with all my heart, and I fear for thee still." "Do not be afraid." "Everything is going to be all right." "That is what I tell myself." "But today, it is impossible to accept karma and the will of God." "You've been so distant." "This is Yedo, my love." "And beyond the First Bridge." "And more?" "Yes." "And more." "Lord Toranaga's decision to surrender is so dishonourable and useless." "I never thought I could say that out loud." "But I have to say it." "Forgive my weakness." "And when he goes to Osaka, what will happen to you?" "It will be over." "For me." "For all of us." "If Lord Toranaga dies, we cannot be left alive." "Then you must come with me." "We must escape." "There is no escape." "You must accept that." " There is, if Lord Toranaga allows it." " Why should he allow it?" "Because if I capture the Black Ship and threaten next year's as well," "Lord Toranaga can force the priests to make all the Christian lords come to his side." "That will make him more powerful than lshido and the Council of Regents." "That will make him Shogun." " l don't understand." " lt all comes down to money." "The Jesuits must have money." "Spain and Portugal must have money." "Taking the Black Ship will prove I can do it." "There's only one man who can stop me from taking every Black Ship." "Lord Toranaga." "They'll have to support him for safe passage." " Do you really believe that?" " l know it!" " Will you help me?" " l cannot betray the Church." "I only ask that you talk to Lord Toranaga or help me talk to him." "I know he understands this." "I know I can convince him." "Lord Toranaga is waiting." "Then we must go quickly." "No matter what happens, remember only this:" "I love thee." "The First Bridge cannot change that." "Nothing can change that." "Lord Yabu says that my master is not feeling well, so he has come in his place." "Domo." "Those are the first of your samurai." "Lord Yabu asks if you accept them." " What happens if I don't accept them?" " They will lose their heads." "But Lord Yabu says that has nothing to do with it." "I accept them all." "Hajime." "On my honour as a samurai, I swear, your enemies are my enemies, and total obedience." "Lord Yabu suggests you reject this man." "Do you think I should reject you?" "I beg you to accept me, Anjin-san." "I will do anything you ask." "Or anything Father Alvito asks." "Please kill me the moment you even question my absolute loyalty." "You wish to keep your head a little bit longer?" "I wish to serve you, Anjin-san." "I accept you, Urano-san." "She says Lord Onoshi will poison Lord Kiyama during the Feast of the Blessed St Bernard this year." "They are both Christian lords, both members of the Council of Regents." "And she said" "Lord lshido knows and agrees to it, providing my master is already dead." "But if that's true..." "Where did Kiku-san get this information?" "She says that men need to tell secrets in the night." "Yabu-sama says my master has given your ship back to you." "My ship?" "Now?" "Yes, now." "Yabu-sama says you must go with him and take your ship to Anjiro immediately." "What was that?" "Osaka?" " l am to leave tomorrow." " Why?" "I do not know, Anjin-san." "Until Osaka." "Until then." "Until then." " Thank God, it's you." " What's happening, Pilot?" "We was asleep, then the door burst open and they brought us here." " l thought they were going to kill us." " We're taking Erasmus back to Anjiro." " We've not enough men to set sail." " We'll be towed by that galley." "We've got our ship back." "Ginsel, go forward, swing the lead." "Vinck, take the helm." "Jan Roper, stand by the forwinch." "Salamon and Croocq, aft." "May God curse her and all who sail in her." "Except one, Father." "One of our people sails with this ship." "Yes, a soldier of God." "I fear the heretic will wound us terribly, Michael." "Perhaps not, Father." "Why else has Lord Toranaga given him back his ship?" "To harry us and to attack the Black Ship." "God help us, Lord Toranaga has forsaken us, too." "We have forsaken him, Father." "But he still has promised us the cathedral." "Yes, the cathedral." "The work has begun." "Mariko-san?" "It's me, Father Alvito." "I was just coming to see you." "What can I do for you?" "I wish to be confessed." "Then let it be here." "Let your confession be the first in this place, though the ground is barely hallowed." " Before God..." " Before I begin, Father, I beg a favour." "Of me or of God?" "I beg a favour before God." "What is thy favour?" "The Anjin-san's life in return for knowledge." "I cannot grant such a favour." "It is not mine to give." "You cannot barter with God." "Very well then please excuse me." "I will put the request before the Father-Visitor." "That is not enough." "I will put it before him, and I will beg him in God's name to consider your petition." "Lord Onoshi will poison Lord Kiyama during the Feast of the Blessed St Bernard." "Lord Onoshi's son will take over all of Lord Kiyama's lands." "Lord lshido has agreed to this, providing my master has already gone into the Great Void." "That's not possible." "Besides, who could ever find out such information?" "Urano..." "Urano was Lord Onoshi's confessor." "Oh, Mother of God!" "Urano has broken the sanctity of the confessional." "And the Englishman the heretic is now his lord." "But you must keep your promise before God." "Let me hear thy confession." "Forgive me, Father, for l have sinned." "But I can only confess that I am not worthy to confess." "Daughter of God, let me beg God's forgiveness for thy sins," "and let me, in His name, absolve thee and make thee whole in His sight." " May I speak to you, Anjin-san?" " Not now, Urano." " But this cannot wait." " What is it?" "I think there are Christians among your samurai." "It is important you find out at once." "You are their enemy." "With your permission, Anjin-san." "What's that for?" "Please, Anjin-san." " Make every samurai do the same." " Why?" "If they are Christians, you will find them." "All right, order it done." " You do the same." " What for?" "To show them." "Come on, before I put my foot on your backs." "We're not stinking pagan wogs!" "They're not stinking pagan wogs." "They're samurai, by God!" "I'll be the first." "Hai, Yabu-sama." " Vinck and Urano, come with me." " And us?" "You'll leave for Yedo in the morning." "The ship's to stay here until my return." " How do we get to Yedo?" " By land." " And when is your return?" " After Osaka and Nagasaki." " After I've bought a crew." " What about them?" "They're not sailors." "But I should be able to find twenty men." "How do we know you'll send for us?" "One more word and you're dead." "Hold your tongue or they'll take your head just for your bad manners." "Open the gate." " How soon can we sail for Macao?" " An hour." "What happened?" " The worst thing you can imagine." " The lnglés?" "He's put to sea?" "But he's no crew, no trained men." "He can speak their gibberish now." "Why not use monkeys?" " There are enough Jappo pirates." " No, Captain." "He's got to buy his men from Nagasaki." "With the promise of the Black Ship, he can buy all the men he needs." " Perhaps he can buy you, too!" " Watch your words." "You motherless, milkless Spaniard!" "It's your fault he's still alive." "Twice you let him escape." "You should have killed him!" "Perhaps but that's froth on my life's wake." "I meant to kill him." "Did you?" "That's easy to say." "I've told you twenty times!" "Have you no ears?" "Or is it Spanish dung in your ears as well as in your mouth?" "I tell you before God, the lnglés must be devil-spawned." "You see what he's done?" "He has put a spell on all of us." "Yes." "It would seem so." "Sail, Rodrigues." "Sail for Macao." " What's the castle like?" " Like nothing you've ever seen before." "Pray you don't see it any closer." "Right here's close enough." " How long do we stay here?" " A day or two." "With our heads down." "Long enough for Yabu-san to arrange for safe conducts to Nagasaki." " This cursed country's no good for us." " Aye." "We'll be home again some day, Vinck." "Whenever that day is." "Aye." "And rich, too, Pilot, eh?" "Isn't that what you said?" "Aye." "Ask who it is." "I do not have to ask, sire." "That is Prince Ogaki from the court of His Imperial Highness." " What the hell is he doing here?" " l do not know, but it is a great honour." " Lord lshido knows we're here." " Yes, sire, it appears that way." "Lord Yabu has been ordered to the castle immediately." "He says that you have been invited to the formal reception given by Lord lshido to honour the birthday of Lady Ochiba." " An escort will come for you tomorrow." " l'll not walk in that castle again!" "Who is this Lady Ochiba?" "She is the most powerful Lady in all Japan." "To be invited to her birthday reception is truly an honour, sire." "An honour?" "Wearing the hat and robe of a Buddhist priest as disguise," "Urano spent the day outside Osaka Castle observing everyone who entered." "Then, at nightfall, he passed through Lord lshido's guards and returned to the galley." "Pilot..." "Look there, by the warehouse." "I tried to be most careful." "Please excuse me for not seeing him." "There's nothing to be done about it now." "I'll finish this watch and wake you at dawn." "Aye, Pilot, if that's what you want." "I was beginning to worry." "What happened?" "I waited outside the castle until just after dark." " Doing what?" " Watching, sire." "Many passers-by put coins into my begging bowl." "I saw Lady Toda arrive." " Yoshinaka was leading the escort." " Go on." "They say that the Council of Regents is to be convened in nineteen days." "His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, will be there." "Lord Toranaga has no choice but to appear before him." "It will be Lord Toranaga's death day, sire." "And, on that day, we will all die." "But before that day, I'll buy a crew in Nagasaki and my ship will sail." "The Erasmus at sea can change everything." "Everything but one thing, sire." "It cannot change karma." "Aye...karma." "Urano!" " What the hell's going on, Pilot?" " Watch out!" "Urano..." "Or death." "If I was you, Pilot, I wouldn't go." "I have no choice, Vinck." " What am I supposed to do?" " Wait." "If it was up to me, I'd get the hell out right now!" "We stay." "Can't you understand?" "We stay until we're allowed to leave." "We stay until lshido says we can go." "Do you understand that now?" "I understand it, but I'll be poxed if I like it!" "By God, you better come back for me." "I'm like a moth in a bottle here." "Like a moth in a bottle." "This day is beautiful because of thy presence." "Please tell the Lady that in my land it is customary to give a gift to a lady on her birthday." "Even a queen." "Just tell her, please." "The Lady Ochiba says she's not a queen, only the mother of the heir and the widow of the Lord Taiko." "But as a lady on her birthday," "Lady Ochiba asks permission to accept your present." "Dozo, Ochiba-sama." "Dozo." "I am not a barbarian!" "I am samurai!" "Following Lord Toranaga's instructions, Mariko told them that she'd been ordered to escort Lady Kiri from the castle." ""impossible!" "You may not leave!" Lord lshido answered." ""Then you are preventing me from doing my duty, " Mariko said." ""l cannot live with this shame. "" "What's going on?" "Please listen and do not ask questions for the moment." "Lord Toranaga ordered me to escort Lady Kiri to meet him." " His order was that we leave tomorrow." " Then what happened?" "Lord lshido refuses to give his permission." "He says that we cannot leave, therefore he is preventing me from doing my duty to my liege lord." "I cannot live with that shame." "And unless Lord lshido changes his mind, I am bound by my honour to commit seppuku before sunset." "No!" " You must understand, my love." " What?" "That you will die?" " No!" " Hear me, my love. I will tell you." "Shall we go sit there, Anjin-san?" " They can hear us." " Yes." "Keep thy voice soft and tell me that you love me." "I love thee, and I cannot bear the thought of thy death." "My heart is filled with joy, joy and love for thee." "Then why?" "Was this planned?" "Was your threat given on Lord Toranaga's orders?" "It was not a threat, but the order was his." "Then he has betrayed you." "You're only bait for his trap." "You and I and Lord Yabu, we've been sent here as a sacrifice." "You are wrong. I am sorry." "I tell thee thou art beautiful and I love thee, but thou art a liar." "Let's not quarrel about things that cannot be changed." "They can be changed." "I can change them!" "No, my love." "Then death is thy aim." "The life of my master is my aim." " And thy life." " ls there no escape?" "Be patient." "The sun has not yet set." "I have no confidence in the sun!" "Believe, my love." "Believe there is a tomorrow." ""Are you so eager to die?"" ""Here are the permits for you to leave at dawn tomorrow." "All of you!"" "Hai." "Despite their love, Kiku wept." "Lord Toranaga had bought her contract." "She belonged to him." "Now she and Omi could never be together." "Never." ""Lord Yabu, do you wish to live until tomorrow?" ""Now, perhaps, you would care to listen. "" " Sleep again, my love." " No I would rather be with thee." "I am glad thou art alive." "I saw thee dead." "Before, I thought I'd never see thee asleep again." "I saw only death." "Yours, mine...everyone's." "But then I saw into your plan." "It was very long in the making." "Yes." "Since the day of the earthquake." "Please forgive me." "I was afraid you wouldn't understand." "It was my karma to bring the hostages out of Osaka Castle." "And now it is done." "The victory is thine." "Pretending for the guards that Captain Yoshinaka was going to sleep," "Yabu followed the instructions Lord lshido had given him." "Yabu could not prevent what was to happen." "His only chance to survive would be on the side of strength." "And Lord lshido was master of Osaka Castle." "This day more than anything had convinced Yabu that his karma was to live, no matter what it might cost." "Any life was less valuable than his own." "Keep running!" "Sono!" "What the hell is going on?" "This..." "This is Lord Toranaga's secret room." " What did he say?" " Open the door or they'll blow it open." "He says they only want you as a hostage." "Everyone else will go free." "No!" "It's a trick!" "Don't believe them." "They don't want you, they want me." " Why?" " Don't you understand?" "It's me!" "Then it will be all for nothing." "Lord Toranaga will have to come." "Get back!" "Try to delay them!" "Keep talking!" "I, Toda Mariko protest this shameful attack..." " ...by my death." " No!" "Mariko!" "Mariko!" "Oh, God!" "is she here?" "Hai." "lye, wakarimasen." "Who is it?" "I am Brother Michael, Anjin-san." "I was with Father Alvito at Yokose." "We travelled together." "Brother Joseph...was my friend." "What do you want?" "I am your guide, Anjin-san." "I have been sent to guide you back to the ship." "We are to leave as soon as you are able." "Who sent you?" "Lord lshido made the request of His Eminence, the Father-Visitor." "The doctor says your eyes are healing well." "Soon you will be able to see again." "He says that you must be patient." " l'll see again?" " Yes, Anjin-san." "Domo." "Domo." " May I help you up, Anjin-san?" " No, thank you. I can do it." "My swords... I will get them for you." " ls that right?" " Yes, Anjin-san." "If you put your hand on my shoulder, I will guide you." " You're taking me to the galley?" " Yes." "Those were my instructions." "Nowhere else?" " You can trust me, Anjin-san." " l don't seem to have much choice." " Are we going alone?" " There will be a samurai escort." " Brown or grey?" " Neither." "They are Lord Kiyama's samurai." "Christian samurai." " What are they doing here?" " My father is cousin to Lord Kiyama." " We are all Christians." " Christians killed your friend Urano." "Murderers did that, Anjin-san." "They will be judged." "It is true that great evil happens on earth in God's name." "What will happen on the galley, Brother Michael?" "I don't know, Anjin-san." "You already know so much, and in such a short time." "Mariko-sama was a great teacher." "You are a worthy samurai, Anjin-san." "You have a quality that is rare here..." "unpredictability." "The Taiko had it, Toranaga-sama has it, too." "You see, we are usually a very predictable people." " Are you?" " Yes." " Predict a way I can escape this trap." " There is no way, Anjin-san." "Where are you taking me?" "As I told you, to the galley." "But first, we will stop at the Jesuit mission." "I was told to inform His Eminence, the Father-Visitor, as we passed." "You said before that you had little choice." "It is even less than that." "Please Anjin-san, take my shoulder." "I am pleased to see you, Captain-Pilot Blackthorne." "Yes, I can imagine." "Brother Michael tells me your eyes are healing well and soon you will see again." "If I live long enough." " When does the Inquisition begin?" " Inquisition?" " ls that what you are thinking?" " What else was there to think?" "Only that I wish to assure your safety personally." " Why?" " The Black Ship is here in Osaka." " You're not putting me on board!" " Certainly not." "I simply want to see you safely back aboard the galley." "Shall we go?" " Blessed Mother of God!" " What is it?" "I'm afraid that you are right." "It is the Inquisition." " Who?" " Captain Ferriera and his men." "There is a stake for burning, and his men are all armed." " Brother Michael, are you here?" " Yes, Anjin-san, I am here." "Listen, Brother, before you said I was a worthy samurai." " Did you mean it?" " Yes." "That and everything else." " Then I beg a favour as a samurai." " What favour?" "To die as a samurai." "Your death isn't in my hands." "It is in the hands of God, Anjin-san." " What are you going to do?" " There is no other way to pass." "Come, Captain Blackthorne." "Good evening, Eminence." " ls this your idea?" " Yes, Eminence." " Go back aboard the ship." " This is a military decision, Eminence." " Go aboard your ship!" " No!" "I have been waiting for you, lnglés." "That pleases me not at all." "Tonight, you will be pleased in hell, heretic!" "You motherless coward!" " Disarm him." " Put down your guns." "Before God, I order you to stop." "Get back, all of you." " l want that man." " You can't have him!" " Order your men aboard!" " l order you to turn around and go away." " You order me?" " Yes, I order you!" "I am Captain of the Black Ship, Governor of Macao," "Chief Officer of Portugal in Asia." "And that man is a threat to the State, the Church, the Black Ship and Macao!" "This man is blind." "Stand aside!" "Stand aside!" "Before God, I shall excommunicate you and all your crew, if this man is harmed." "Do you understand?" "I am Military Commander in Asia, and I say he's a threat!" " This is a Church matter, not military." " l caution you again." "As God is my judge, I shall inform Lisbon!" "If you don't order your men aboard ship now, I will remove you as Captain of the Black Ship." "You don't have that power!" "I have the power to excommunicate you and curse you and everyone who serves you in the name of God!" "He can do it, Captain." "And, Madonna, he will." "Order the men aboard." "Captain, do you hear?" "God curse you, lnglés!" "In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti." "Amen." "What happened?" "Who's dead?" "The captain, lnglés." "It's the captain." "You've got the devil's luck on your back." "Brother Michael!" "It was my duty, Eminence, to protect you." "My duty!" "Yes, Michael, yes." "And the Black Ship?" "We were sailing on the tide." " Then sail." " With no captain?" "You shall be captain, Rodrigues." "I will do the necessary letters." "The captain's share will be yours." "Captain?" "Me?" " And Governor of Macao?" " Yes, and Governor of Macao." "Well, the devil's luck is on your back as well, but it won't be enough." " What do you mean, lnglés?" " l'll sail after you and the Black Ship." "With what?" "You have no ship, lnglés." "At Anjiro." "And my eyes are healing." "I'll catch you at sea!" "No, lnglés." "The Erasmus is dead." "Burned to her spine." "A Spaniard's wish!" "It's true. lt was the hand of God." " You lie!" " No, Captain, he speaks the truth." "A tidal wave heeled your ship." "The oil lamps on deck spread fire..." " l don't believe you!" " Before God." "You're beached, lnglés." "You're marooned." "You're here for ever." "Beached." "For ever." "May the winds carry you to hell, Rodrigues!" "They may, lnglés, they may." "But you will never sail again." "Jesus, Pilot, what happened to you?" "Where's the captain?" "Tell him to set sail now, we're going back to Anjiro." " But you said Nagasaki." " Now, Vinck, damn you." "Now!" "You are safe here, Captain Blackthorne." "I will leave you now." "Why?" "Why did you save me?" " For your soul and mine and..." " And what?" "That is reason enough." "Goodbye, Anjin-san." "Go with God." "I told him, Pilot." "Anjiro it is." "For the love of Christ, Pilot." "What's amiss?" "They told me..." "They told me the Erasmus is lost." "Our ship is lost!" "Fired!" "Oh, God, let it be a lie!" " Can you see her yet?" " No, Pilot." "We're still not at the point." "What is it?" "Can you see, Vinck?" "Tell me!" "Tell me, damn you!" "is it true?" "Aye, Pilot." "Even more true than that." "Tell me what you see." "She's just lying there, what's left of her." "Aground." "Masts gone, decks gone." "Everything." "Dear God!" "What about the keel?" "Can you see it?" "Aye." "Looks like they beached her." "The monkeys... lf you've a God-cursed fire and you're by a God-cursed shore, you beach her to fight it there." "Even these heathens know that." "You should never have left her to them." "What are we going to do now?" "How are we going to get home?" "You should have left her at Yedo." " Maybe they did beach her." " Yes but the muck-eaters didn't put out the fire!" "God curse them all to hell!" "You should never have let Jappos on her!" "We're helpless now." "We're dead." "The ship is dead." "The Erasmus...that was Alvito's curse." "What?" "The priest, Father Alvito, he said the die was cast." "What are you talking about?" "He said I'd never leave these islands." "Marooned for the rest of our lives, aren't we, Pilot?" "Grovelling to these God-cursed heathens for the rest of our muck-eating lives!" "And how long will that be, when all they talk about is war?" "War, war!" "Answer me, Pilot." "Yes, Vinck." "Now shut up!" ""Shut up" is it?" "No." "I speak when I damn choose and I say what I damn please!" "It's your fault!" "Yours!" "You brought us to this stinking place!" "You said, "Come to the Japans."" "How many died coming?" "Answer me that, if you can." " God rot you!" "You're to blame!" " Yes!" "The blame is mine." "Does that make you feel better?" "What do you want me to tell you?" "I'm sorry, Vinck." "I'm sorry." ""Sorry"?" "is that all you are?" " How are we going to get home?" " l don't know." "But you've got to know." "Damn you, you're the pilot!" "You expect me to change what's happened?" "If I could..." "My heart's been torn out, Vinck." "Can't you understand that?" "The ship is lost, my dreams lost with her." "Everything!" "They've taken everything of value from my life!" "She's gone, Vinck, and I can't change that." "Gone." "Another of our ships will come here some day." "We'll just have to wait." "Wait?" "How long are we going to wait?" "Five muck-plagued years?" "Twenty?" "The rest of our rotten, miserable lives?" "With these black-eyed monkeys?" "That's what they are!" "Monkeys!" "Always gibbering and staring at you!" "I can't stand to look at them any more!" "Dear Jesus!" "Jesus!" "Now they're at war." "That's what you said, isn't it?" "All of them running around with their damned swords!" "They're going to kill us!" "Kill us!" "We're dead, Pilot!" "Dead!" "Hold yourself, Vinck!" "The monkeys are coming for us!" "They're going to chop off our heads and stick them up for the birds to eat!" "The birds will pluck out our eyes!" "They're coming!" "They're coming!" "Vinck!" "Vinck!" "Vinck..." "Vinck, where are you?" "Vinck!" "Vinck..." " Anjin..." " Hai, sukoshi." "Hai, wakarimasu." "Alvito." "Priest!" "He burned my ship!" "Anjin..." "Hai, Toranaga-sama." "Anjin-sama..." "Mariko?" "lye, Anjin-sama..." "Konbanwa, Fujiko-san." "Hai...ikimasu." "Oh, Anjin ka?" "He questioned me about the burning of your ship." "I told him neither I nor anyone I know of ordered the sabotage of your ship." "He may believe you..." "I don't." "Lord Toranaga requests that I swear a holy oath to you and to him that I am speaking the truth." "He demands it." "Or he says that he will withdraw all his support from me and my Church." "Then swear, priest." "Swear your holiest oath." "And then will you believe me?" "Will you?" "I swear solemnly before God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, before all things sacred and holy, that I speak the truth." "Neither I nor anyone I know of ordered the burning of your ship." "This I swear before God." "Lord Toranaga asks if you believe me now." "Hai, Toranaga-sama." "I am not your enemy, Pilot." "In fact, I'm a better friend than you suspect." "Omi..." "Kiku..." "Hai." "Lord Toranaga has just given you this lady's contract." " She now belongs to you." " "Belongs"?" "Lord Toranaga said that you may do with her as you wish." "What did he mean, "belongs"?" "She is yours." "You own this lady." "Omi-san..." "Hai, Anjin-san?" "Hai?" "lye?" "Hai." "Anjin-sama...hai." "Lord Toranaga's request was a simple one." ""Would Lord Yabu please explain why he killed Captain Yoshinaka?"" ""Who dares to accuse me?" Yabu demanded." "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." "I shall be leaving in the morning." "I don't know if we'll ever talk again, and there are things I'd like to say." "Then say them." "I wanted you to know before I go, that I know what the loss of Mariko-san means to you." "And I wanted you to know that that I know what you meant to her." "How could you know that?" "She came to me the night you left Yedo." "I'm afraid our destinies are interlocked, Pilot." "Did Mariko-san ever tell you that?" "She told me." "What else did she tell you?" "She asked me to be your friend." "To protect you, if I could." "And I will try." "You see you will never leave here, Anjin-san." "I told you that before, and I say it again with no malice, truly." "You're a brave man, a fine adversary, one to respect and I do." "But there should be peace between us." "How can there be?" "Anjin-dono..." "Lord Yabu says that he gives you his sword to commemorate your arrival, and as a thankyou for the pleasure for the pleasure that boiling that barbarian gave him." "Lord Yabu says that none of these "manure-eaters" deserves the blade." "You do." "Take it, please." "Domo, Yabu-sama." "He asks you to be his witness." "Hai." "Lord Yabu says that now you will see how a real samurai dies." "That was Lord Yabu's death poem." "It goes:" ""The blue sky above the earth" ""White clouds rise towards heaven" ""Life is only a butterfly's dream." ""Death the way to eternal life."" "Omi..." "Hai, tono." "Lord Toranaga's changing your fief." "He is giving you Anjiro." "Hai, Toranaga-sama." "Domo." "Lord Toranaga has made you samurai and hatamoto." "He asks why you are standing here so stupid and weak." "Sumimasen, Toranaga-sama." "Anjin..." "Before Mariko left Yedo, she gave this to Lord Toranaga." "She said if you were still alive after Osaka you were to have it." "Lord Toranaga asks if you are still alive." "Hai, ikite imasu." "Lord Toranaga said, "Then act alive!"" ""Thou, I love thee." ""lf this is read by thee, then I am dead in Osaka," ""and perhaps because of me, thy ship is dead, too." ""l may sacrifice this most prized part of thy life because of my faith," ""to safeguard my Church." ""But more to save thy life, which is more precious to me than anything..." ""...even the interest of my Lord Toranaga." ""lt may come to a choice, my love/ thee or thy ship." ""l am sorry, but I choose life for thee." ""Thy ship is doomed anyway, with or without thee." ""l will concede thy ship to thine enemy, so that thou may live." ""This ship is nothing." ""Build another." "This thou can do." ""Lord Toranaga will give thee all the craftsmen necessary." ""He needs you and your ships." ""And from my personal estate, I have willed to thee all the money necessary." ""Build another ship and build another life, my love." ""Take next year's Black Ship, and live for ever." ""Listen, my dear one," ""my Christian soul prays to see thee again in a Christian heaven." ""My Japanese hara prays that, in the next life," ""l will be whatever is necessary to bring thee joy" ""and to be with thee wherever thou art." ""Forgive me," ""but thy life is all important." ""l love thee. "" "Yoshi Toranaga, Lord of the Kwanto, told himself," ""Yes, build your ship, Anjin-san," ""and I shall destroy her as I destroyed the other one." ""When the time is right, I shall tell you why." ""lt was your ship or your life." "I, too, choose your life." ""You have much to teach me, Anjin-san," ""once I have won, if I win, when I win," ""when the real prize will be won." ""Mariko, it was your karma to die gloriously and live for ever." ""Anjin-san, my friend, it is your karma never to leave this land." ""And my karma, my karma, which I did not choose," ""my karma is to be Shogun. "" "That year, at dawn on the 2 1 st day of the 1 0th month," ""the Month without Gods", the main armies clashed." "It was in the mountains near Sekigahara astride the North Road." "By late afternoon, Toranaga had won the battle, and the slaughter began." "Forty thousand heads were taken." "Three days later, lshido was captured alive." "Toranaga sent him in chains to Osaka for public viewing, ordering him planted in the earth with only his head showing." "Passers-by were invited to saw at the most famous neck in the realm with a bamboo saw." "Ishido lingered three days and died very old." "Within the year, the Emperor invited Yoshi Toranaga," "Lord of the Kwanto, to become Shogun." "And, reluctantly, Toranaga agreed."