Chapter 37

Summary

• Toranaga carefully reads a coded message from Kiri, which contains significant and urgent information about political machinations and alignments in Japan.
• The message reveals a mix of good and bad news for Toranaga, detailing successful alliances, betrayals, and political traps set by his enemies.
• Samurai Naga attends to Toranaga's orders while the narrative hints at Toranaga's careful dissemination of information to spark rumors, boosting morale and causing strategic confusion.
• Kiri’s message details the grim fate of Lord Sugiyama, who remained loyal to Toranaga instead of accepting a treacherous offer from the enemy Ishido.
• The message indicates that many of Toranaga's allies are trapped or have turned against him, and it suggests the strategy of 'Crimson Sky' for an all-or-nothing attack.
• Toranaga gathers his military leaders and asks for their counsel on the situation, revealing his plan code-named 'Crimson Sky'.
• Yabu, a samurai lord, voices concerns about the challenges of Toranaga's plan due to enemy territories and the defection of Toranaga's own half brother Zataki, compromising the northern approach.
• Despite the seeming insurmountability of these challenges, Yabu supports the idea of a swift and decisive strike using Toranaga's armed forces.
• Toranaga's other advisors give varied opinions, with some cautioning patience and defense until a more opportune time, while others push for immediate action.
• Toranaga's son, Naga, naively suggests that Toranaga should seize the opportunity to become Shōgun, which leads to a discussion on the legitimacy of power and the irony of Toranaga's perceived ambitions.
• Toranaga ultimately decides to proceed with the 'Crimson Sky' plan despite the risks, ordering preparations for an immediate departure to war.
• Privately, Lady Mariko advises Toranaga on his next steps, providing a strategic analysis that reveals an understanding beyond her expected position and advocating for a bold acquisition of power.
• Mariko addresses the sensitive topic of hostages and convincingly argues that Toranaga should marry Lady Ochiba for stronger political positioning, aligning this with his duty to the realm.
• The chapter ends with Toranaga's acknowledgment of Mariko's insight and her revelation that she must travel to Osaka, likely for matters connected to the political crisis at hand.