Chapter 37
Contains spoilersOverview
Toranaga decodes Kiri’s urgent message: Sugiyama has been murdered, many families are hostage in Osaka, Mogami is allied, Zataki has declared against him, and the Christian Regents unite. He convenes a war council and publicly orders a rainy-season thrust on Kyoto.
Privately, Toranaga signals a feint, rewards Mariko, has her price Kiku’s contract, hears her bold counsel about power and alliances, and agrees she must go to Osaka, sharpening the stakes around the hostages.
Summary
Amid torrential rain, Toranaga receives the last surviving carrier pigeon and, once composed, deciphers Kiri’s coded message. He learns that Sugiyama resigned as planned but was captured and tortured to death, that many daimyos’ families are now hostages in Osaka, that Mogami has safely joined him, Zataki has declared against him, and the Christian Regents have united. Kiri warns the Black Ship may arrive early and urges a rapid strike for Kyoto.
At dawn on the plateau, Toranaga assembles Yabu, Omi, Igurashi, Buntaro, Naga, senior captains, and Mariko. He reveals the situation and asks for counsel on Crimson Sky, his plan for a surprise, concentrated rush on Kyoto. Yabu urges immediate attack; Omi advises a defensive strategy behind mountain passes and secrecy about the muskets; Igurashi backs defense; Naga, excited, even suggests Toranaga seek the Shogunate, which Toranaga publicly disavows. After debate, Toranaga declares they will execute Crimson Sky at once, even in the rains, relying on surprise and the guns to force Shinano’s passes.
When the council disperses, Toranaga keeps Mariko. He instructs her to discreetly set the price of Kiku’s contract, then they exchange poems. Toranaga rewards Mariko by endowing her son with ten thousand koku yearly and presses her for a frank opinion.
Mariko boldly infers that Zataki’s defection can be reversed and that the public order for Crimson Sky is likely a deliberate feint to scatter Ishido’s forces while Toranaga gathers allies and tries to lure Ishido from Osaka. She argues the hostages are decisive, urges audacity—including marriage to Lady Ochiba and ultimately taking power to secure the realm—and insists she must go to Osaka. Toranaga, acknowledging the hostage peril, agrees that she must go.
Who Appears
- Toranaga
Decodes Kiri’s message, convenes a war council, publicly orders Crimson Sky, privately signals a feint, tasks Mariko, and rewards her son.
- Mariko (Toda Mariko)
Serves and counsels Toranaga; deduces Crimson Sky as feint, proposes bold alliances, agrees she must go to Osaka; tasked to price Kiku’s contract.
- Naga
Eager son and messenger; rallies to war, suggests Toranaga as Shōgun, is reprimanded yet retained as optimistic signal.
- Yabu
Vassal lord advocating immediate Crimson Sky and use of muskets; offers his forces for the thrust toward Kyoto.
- Omi
Strategist urging a defensive, pass-holding war and secrecy about the muskets; skeptical of a hasty offensive.
- Buntaro
Loyal retainer; refuses to opine then backs war, pledging obedience to Toranaga’s decision.
- Igurashi
Pragmatic soldier; counsels defense behind mountains and conserving the musket regiment.
- Kiri
Sends the coded pigeon letter from Osaka reporting Sugiyama’s murder, hostages, shifting alliances, and urgent counsel.
- Ishido
Opposes Toranaga; implicated in Sugiyama’s death, holds hostages, and seeks to consolidate power via a new council.
- Lord Sugiyama
Regent who resigned; captured and tortured to death near Osaka after refusing to betray Toranaga.
- Lord Zataki
Toranaga’s half brother; publicly declares against him, threatening the Koshu-kaidō route through Shinano.
- Lady Ochiba
Influential court figure wooing lords; Mariko suggests marrying her as a bold political move.
- Kiku
Mishima courtesan; Toranaga orders Mariko to discreetly set the price of her contract.