Chapter 29

Summary

• Blackthorne wakes up in his cabin aboard the galley and feels well-rested.
• He is served food and cha (tea) by a maid, with Mariko, whose arm is healed, at her side.
• He learns they are anchored off the coast of Totomi Province and that he's been asleep for over a day.
• Mariko informs Blackthorne that Toranaga suggests a swim after eating to help him wake up.
• After eating, Blackthorne contemplates various thoughts about Toranaga, Omi, and potential future actions.
• On deck, he joins others who are swimming and notices the laid-back atmosphere with men sunbathing and swimming naked.
• Blackthorne, feeling self-conscious, strips and dives in, excelling at swimming as taught by his friend Alban.
• He interacts with Toranaga and the conversation leads to an impromptu diving lesson with Blackthorne, Toranaga, and others including Mariko.
• Mariko attempts a successful dive despite being nude and possibly agitating a wound, impressing Blackthorne.
• Toranaga and his men practice diving, with a mixture of success and failure.
• That evening, Blackthorne discusses England, naval power, and the prospect of building a fleet for Toranaga.
• Toranaga is intrigued by Blackthorne's proposal to build warships and train a Japanese navy.
• Blackthorne enthuses internally about the potential ramifications of a trading pact with Japan.
• Toranaga promises to consider Blackthorne's plan and the discussion is wrapped up with the evening.
• The following morning, Toranaga sends messenger pigeons to convey his survival and orders to his allies.
• During their journey, a minor earthquake occurs offshore, which astonishes Blackthorne as he has never experienced one before.
• Mariko explains the regularity of natural disasters in Japan, including earthquakes and Great Waves, and muses on the ephemeral nature of life.