Chapter 43
Summary
- Toranaga observes Father Alvito's arrival and formal greeting and has a distant conversation with the Jesuit priest.
- Alvito brings a confidential message from his superior but feels troubled by his own failings, specifically his rash actions leading to Joseph's outcasting.
- Toranaga inquires about a renegade Christian, requesting his guards to find him and bring him forward the next day.
- Father Alvito protests against punishment for the renegade, but Toranaga seems unmoved by his pleas.
- The discussion touches on the difficulty of training Japanese acolytes to become ordained priests due to challenges like mastering Latin.
- Alvito is against a Japanese-ordained Jesuit clergy, fearing they'll never truly assimilate to the Jesuit society and serve only the Vicar of Christ.
- Toranaga engages Alvito on various topics, including the training of apprentice priests and the reasons why they haven't been chosen.
- Toranaga recalls the strategic decisions and the history of the Christian daimyo in Japan.
- Alvito pessimistically reports that Lords Kiyama and Onoshi will not abandon General Ishido to support Toranaga.
- Toranaga expresses his frustration with the Jesuit priests being unable to control their flock, reflecting on the political implications.
- Toranaga grants Alvito permission to hold a discreet Christian Mass and also allows Alvito to deliver a dictionary to Blackthorne.
- Alvito and Toranaga discuss their mutual disappointment in the uncooperative daimyo and how it could affect Toranaga's battle for power.
- Toranaga ponders the difficult decision whether to allow Christians to trade in his domain.
- Despite the challenges, Toranaga allows Alvito to start building a temple in Yedo.
- Toranaga orders his son Naga to become a Christian, intending to use this strategically in the power dynamics of Japan.
- Buntaro hosts an emotionally powerful cha-no-yu (tea ceremony) with Mariko, where they express their willingness to commit ritual suicide together but are bound by duty to serve Toranaga.
- During the ceremony, there is a deep exchange of respect and affection between Mariko and Buntaro, transcending the discord in their marriage.
- Buntaro reveals his distrust towards Blackthorne and his desire to kill the Anjin-san after Toranaga's inevitable defeat, which Mariko neutrally acknowledges.
- Mariko finally retires to her room, physically and emotionally exhausted but fulfilled by the cha-no-yu and the prospect of peace with Buntaro until autumn.