Chapter 41
Contains spoilersOverview
A night dispatch reveals Zataki has turned Regent and openly joined Ishido, forcing Toranaga to prepare for war and arrange a guarded parley at Yokosé. Toranaga sends Buntaro ahead, moves muskets to cover retreat, and rides to Shuzenji with Blackthorne and Mariko. He haggles over Kiku’s contract, orders Mariko on to Osaka, and accepts 1,000 koku to select Blackthorne’s vassals. Meanwhile, Blackthorne and Omi’s tension over Kiku flares as peasants quietly maneuver and hardships rise.
Summary
Before dawn, a courier brings Hiro-matsu’s dispatch to Toranaga: Zataki, Toranaga’s half brother, has become a Regent, has aligned with Ishido, and is traveling under Council cipher with the Jesuit Tsukku-san to seek audience. Hiro-matsu warns of mobilizations and urges a sea retreat. Toranaga declares war is beginning, orders training halted, sends Buntaro to secure a meeting ground at Yokosé, assigns Yabu to cover retreat with the Musket Regiment, and plans to depart for the nearby Shuzenji Spa.
At the Tea House, Blackthorne wakes content after a night with Kiku, reflecting on duty, future plans, and Mariko’s teaching about accepting karma. Gyoko summons him to the fortress. Kiku, conflicted by shame over Omi’s branding of Blackthorne yet bound by custom, escorts him publicly; Omi watches coldly. Kiku grants Blackthorne conspicuous honor at the gate, and Omi pointedly asks to be with her later.
Toranaga debates Mariko’s overnight negotiation to buy Kiku’s contract—an exorbitant 3,000 koku, reduced to 2,500 if Gyoko gets a private audience—while Mariko cleverly delays confirmation through Lady Kasigi. Toranaga orders a dawn move to Shuzenji; Mariko is to continue to Osaka, Blackthorne to escort to the border then ride to Yedo. He asks for Blackthorne’s genealogy and, for 1,000 koku, agrees to select Blackthorne’s 200 vassals to await him in Yedo. Fujiko pledges to manage Blackthorne’s finances and travel staff; Mariko and Blackthorne speak privately about Osaka’s risks and the sea.
Blackthorne seeks out Omi. After passing mustered troops and learning Buntaro has already left, he leads Omi to the quake crevasse, prompting Omi to order peasants to dig up Toranaga’s lost swords. Blackthorne then confronts Omi about Kiku; a near-violent moment ends in a brittle truce, with Blackthorne promising to ask as a friend if there is a “next time.”
In the rain, Mura directs villagers to excavate and quietly plants Uo in Blackthorne’s baggage train to reach the Jesuit. They gossip that Toranaga will buy Kiku’s contract for 3,000 koku, fret over Yabu’s rising taxes and winter stores, and resolve to endure. As swords are sought and plans set, all sense war pressing close.
Who Appears
- Toranaga
Daimyo preparing for war; arranges Yokosé parley, rides to Shuzenji, negotiates Kiku’s contract, and sells guidance for 1,000 koku.
- John Blackthorne (Anjin-san)
English pilot; spends the night with Kiku, requests Mariko’s help, secures Toranaga’s selection of 200 vassals, confronts Omi, heads to Yedo.
- Lady Toda Mariko
Interpreter and envoy; negotiates Kiku’s contract, delays confirmation, arranged to continue to Osaka, counsels Blackthorne.
- Omi
Local samurai; cool at the gate, orders recovery of Toranaga’s swords, has tense standoff with Blackthorne over Kiku.
- Kiku
First-rank courtesan; pillows Blackthorne, publicly honors him, central to an expensive contract Toranaga seeks to buy.
- Gyoko
Mama-san; demands 3,000 koku for Kiku’s contract, secures a 500-koku concession for a private audience.
- Buntaro
Warrior sent ahead to secure Yokosé; warns against Zataki’s sword skill and plans defenses without muskets.
- Yabu
Overlord of Izu; supports the Yokosé plan and commands the Musket Regiment to guard retreat; associated with higher taxes.
- Naga
Toranaga’s son; receives the dispatch and helps coordinate troop dispositions and security.
- Hiro-matsu
Senior vassal; reports Zataki’s new regency and allegiance to Ishido, urges Toranaga to retreat by sea.
- Zataki
Toranaga’s half brother; newly a Regent aligned with Ishido, approaching under Council cipher to meet.
- Tsukku-san
Jesuit priest traveling with Zataki from Nagasaki; his presence signals political-religious complications.
- Fujiko
Blackthorne’s consort; recovering from burns, arranges his finances, retainers’ pay, and travel staff.
- Mura
Village headman; leads the sword excavation and plants Uo with Blackthorne to reach the Jesuit.
- Uo
Villager selected to join Blackthorne’s train and quietly contact the Holy Father.
- Ninjin
Old villager; digs for the swords and frets about rising taxes and winter stores.