"Konnichiwa, Toranaga-sama." "My master asks what you were doing." "Uh, 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" "I 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." " [IN NORMAL VOICE] 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" "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 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?" " Is that not a correct expression?" "Yes, but you told me I'd be, uh, leaving in a few days." "Yes, but now he has said that you will leave this evening." "He is sending the Lady Kiri-same to Yedo to prepare for his return." "You will go with her." "Is it possible, uh...?" " Will I see Lord Toranaga before I go?" " I 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." "H OW?" "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." "And is that what you believe as well?" "You have seen what I believe." "Rako-san says your dance was very excellent." "She'd like to ask a question." "What is it?" "Rako-san asks if your women are the same as us in body." "I assume so." "Asa-san asks, in pillowing, how do you compare your women 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, we shall make all the arrangements." "Uh, thank you, but, um, uh..." "Perhaps later." "Are you sure?" "Excuse me, but my master has given specific instructions that your health is to be protected and improved." "How can you be healthy without pillowing?" "It is very important for a man." "Yes?" "Thank you, uh, but I, uh..." "Not now." "Hmm?" "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 Biackthorne had told Lord Toranaga that his rutters, the ship's log detailing her long voyage, had been stolen," "Father Aivito knew that the continued possession of these papers could be dangerous." "There would be disadvantages in giving up the documents to Toranaga, not the {east of which was 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." " I'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." " I'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." " I choose my fights carefully." "But when I do fight, I win." "Then 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." "Is 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?" " I 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 'vs Lady Km crying'?" "She is unhappy to be separated from Sazuko-san, even for this short time." " Is that her daughter?" "Daughter?" "No." "The Lady Sazuko is the youngest of Lord Toranaga's consorts." "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?" "I don't know." "Lord lshido has a message for his niece in Yedo." "He asks if Lady Kiri-sama will take it." "Ah-ha-ha, ah-ha-ha..." "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?" " No, 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?" "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 has a right to put her to death." "That's not even civilized." "We find ourselves quite civilized, Anjin-san." "You must remember our culture is a thousand years old." "We are ancient people." "Our emperor is the 107th 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!" "Lord Toranaga wishes us to go with him." "My husband will take a separate route." " If we separate..." " Do not argue, please." "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 ishido." ""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 favor." "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." " Ishido 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." "Marko ." "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 they do, we are to go on to the galley at once." "Then I'll want a knife." "Better give me two." "You go over there!" "Hurry!" " Konbanwa, Anjin-san." " Konbanwa, Captain-San." "The captain says you saved his ship during the storm on your trip here." "Ask him if the ship is ready to sail as soon as 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." "L..." "I thank you for my life, Anjin-san." "Anjin-san!" "Hai, Captain-sen." "Cast off." "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 colors." "That's the oldest trick in the world." "With Toranaga dead, that would make things simple for us." "Hmm?" "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 that ship." "Then kindly go ashore." "They could blow us to hell." "No Portuguese ship would fire on us." "Marko ." "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, inglés!" "That you, Rodrigues?" "RODRIGUES:" "Aye!" "Permission to come aboard?" "Who, inglés?" "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 the heretic he must come as well." " Why?" " For my amusement, Eminence." "For my amusement." "Tell him." "Five guards only, inglés." "But you come too." "Why me?" "Tell him something, pilot." "Convince him." "Hmm?" "There's grog on the table, inglés." "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, inglés." " Where's the food?" " In my cabin." "Come on, I'll show you." " I'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 favor." " Slowly, inglés." "Slowly." " Ha, ha!" "Which do you prefer, brandy or grog?" "Both." "Mm, mm, mm." "Lord Toranaga says Lord lshido is trying to kill him." "So are many other lords." "They have done so in the past and they will do so in the future." "He says if he is killed, it will simplify things for the moment." "He is in lshido's trap now." "If the trap is successful, 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 have yearned for many years to hear that news." "We will always endeavor to assist you." "He says since there are pirates at the mouth of the harbor..." "Pirates?" "Hell." "He requires 2O 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." "But in return, I 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." "Hmm?" "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, inglés." " 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 inglés offended me, so I threw him overboard." " I 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, inglés!" "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..." "I am honored to be here." "I am honored 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 Taikds 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 honor." "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." ""I have carried this sword for 15 years." "We've gone through many battles together, and it has never failed me, as 8 know you, Kasigi Yabu, wit!" "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 honor." "Lord Toranaga has made you hatamoto." "This is the position of 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, Anﬂn-san'?" "Domo, Yabu-sama." "Hai, Yabu-sama." "What did he say?" "He..." "Lord Yabu told them that you are his honored guest here." "He said that you are also Lord Toranaga's very honored retainer." "That you are here to learn our language." "This whole village has the honor and responsibility of teaching you." "What else?" "The village is responsible, Anjin-san." "If you have not learned to speak our language well enough within 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." "And 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." "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." "I'm honored 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 honored and she has agreed." " But I haven't agreed." " But, Anjin-san, you cannot refuse." "The Lady Fujiko would be considered a great honor." "She is recently widowed." "She is only 19, 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?" "Kill?" "No, Anjin-san." "But life and death are the same." "Who knows?" "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 whole village will be butchered." "If I don't do whatever you want, some innocent will always be killed." "There's no way out, is there?" "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, and you may not take your pistol." "Tell him I'll blow his head off 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." ""I'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." "Anjin-sama..." "Your consort rightly 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 already taken his place and Lord lshido is the new president." "Lord Yabu says they are going to impeach Lord Toranaga in 2O days." "Lord Toranaga was wrong." "They did agree 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." "Twenty 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 favor, 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 favor." "Even more." "If he wishes, I will train his men to fight." "To fight so that they are unbeatable." "But in return I would also ask a favor." "I would ask Lord Yabu as a humble favor 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 apologize 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 dishonored." "This 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 according to 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." "Anjin-san..." "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." "I slept very well." "How do you say it?" "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."" ""Do you understand?"" ""I understand."" "To make it negative, you just change "masu" to "masen."" ""L do not understand."" ""To eat" 'vs tabemasu." "Ask me if I have eaten." "Or if I have not eaten, what do I say?" "Ikimasu, "to go."" " Are they all that way?" " Almost." "Write them down." "Yomimasu, "to read."" "Kimasu, "to come."" "Kirimasu, "to cut."" "Narimasu, "to become."" "How do you say "there is"?" "Arimasu, "there is" or "there are."" "They are both the same." "Ikimasu means "I go,"" "but also you, he, she, they and we go." "It is very simple." "But how do you tell the difference between "I 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." " I'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 forever." " I 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." "Watakushi wa is II I II 5 and anata wa is "you."" "To make it possessive, you change "wa" to "no."" "Possessive?" "Very good." "Kore wa means "this is."" "Kore wa nan desu ka means "What is this?"" ""Paper" is kami." "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." "But..." "But it will go rotten." "It should be prepared at once." "Pheasant meat is dry, so you hang it for a few days." " It matures the meat." " Anjin-san..." "Some people 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, uh..." "Uh, I'm almost finished." " I can come back later if you wish." " No, no, no, I, uh..." "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, uh, for you to be, uh..." "To be..." " To be sharing your bath?" " Mm." "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?" "Oh, 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?" " Uh..." "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." "Marks'?" "In fact, I slept marvelously 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?" " It was no maid." " It was." "We anointed her with my perfume and instructed her not to speak, only to touch." "A joke concerning things of great importance is sometimes without humor." "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..." "If 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." "This interests you, does it?" "Pistol." "Go on, hold it." "Go on." "Oh." "Ah-ah-ah-ah!" "Lord Buntaro rode at Toranagefs side, a position of great honor, as they entered Anjiro." "That Toranaga had ordered his wife to become Blackthornés teacher did not please Lord Buntaro." "The thought of Mariko atone 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, Anjin-san." "Please." "My husband says that he was told what you said to Lord Yabu, that 100 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, uh..." "I would like to see him shoot tomorrow." "Tell Buntaro-sama, in my country a host always toasts his honored 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 do 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." "Marko-san, please tell my consort I would like the arrows left in the post forever." "All of them." "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 honored me." "He honored me by sending me away." "I begged to be allowed to commit seppuku, to kill myself." "But 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 and 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 Buntards honor could allow him to apologize." "But B/ackthorne realized that was exactly what Marikds husband was doing, bowing lo w, abjectly." "Lord Buntaro had disturbed the harmony of Blackthornds house." "An apology was required, whether he meant it or not." "Face had to be saved for both of them." "Sake." "Too much sake." "Fujiko-san." "That was supposed to be my dinner." "What happened?" "I see." "Who was it?" "Oh." "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." "It is 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." "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." "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, you had given 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 honorably." "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 has 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?" " It was done." "The deaths were very bad." "The Council of Regents may never meet again." "What will happen?" "War." "Along 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." "Anjin..." "My master says that the time has come to prepare your ship for war." "Toranaga-sama!" "Toranaga-sama!" "Climb!" "Is it over?" "Until the next time." "It is over until it begins again." "Karma, neh?" "Karma." "Hmm." "Toranaga-sama." "Fujiko-san." "Can I see?" "I don't want her to die." "Anjin-sama..." "Fujiko-san." "Lord Toranaga wishes to know how long will it take for your ship to be ready for war?" "On whom do I war, Mariko-san?" "On whom do you wish to war?" "On the Black Ship." "On this year's Black Ship." "What?" "With Lord Toranaga's permission, and with my ship and a little help, we can split the cargo, all silks and bullion." "My master says that will be making 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 for war?" "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?"" "ALL:" "Ho!" "Anjin." "Lord Toranaga says, "Today I was almost killed." "Today the Anjin-san pulled me out of the ground." "That is the second, maybe even the third time that he has saved my life." "Although it is bushido that samurai should never expect a reward for any service, it is the duty of a liege lord to grant favors from time to time."" "Ho!" "The Anjin-san is given a fishing village south of Yedo, the right to recruit 200 samurai retainers, ten horses and 20 kimonos." "Naga!" "To be a samurai is the highest honor 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." "Lord Toranaga presents this katana to you in return for the one you gave him." "They were made by the master craftsman Yori-ya." "The sword is the soul of a samurai." "If he forgets it or loses it, he will never be excused." "Because from this moment on, you, Anjin-san, you are now samurai." "Ho!" "Ho!" ""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 honors." "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 SPEAKING IN JAPAN ESE]" "Gyoko-san welcomes you to her house." "Her house?" "She's not...?" "I mean..." "Is she the reward?" "Heh." "Oh, no." "She is the Mama-sen 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 who belongs to someone else 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 honored to have your company." "Tell her I remember the first time we met." "The first time?" "Just tell her." "Kiku-san is honored that you remember." "She says you are very different now 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." " I beg thee, stay." "For thy honor 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." "Hmm." "My master says that you are to leave with him in the morning." " For Yedo?" " First you will go to Yokose, then to Yedo." "I thought he wanted me to prepare my ship for war." " Why send me to Yokose?" " It 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 favor and his many gifts." "If he would choose my 200 retainers, his guidance would be worth anything." "Hmm." "Is it worth 1,000 koku?" "He says that you are generous and he accepts your offer." "Your men will be waiting for you in Yedo." "I've never seen countryside 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 Shinano." "Lord Zataki has been appointed to the Council of Regents." "Now there are five again." "But you said..." "If 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." "Heh." "And thy patience is small." "My husband asks you to excuse him, but he must talk to me in private." "Lord Zataki, the newest member of the Council of Regents, and now Lord lshido's ally." "Toranaga greeted his half-brother politely, apologizing 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 honor had to be protected." "For a moment I did not recognize you, pilot-major." "God curse you and all priests." " May God forgive your blasphemy." " What are you doing here?" "I 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 sword suits 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 agree to go to Osaka, he has an official 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 once more as husband and wife?"" "Lord Buntaro knew the reason for his wife's refusal to live in harmony with him." "Anjin."