Chapter 19

Summary

• Father Alvito, a Jesuit priest, rides into Osaka accompanied by forty well-disciplined Japanese Jesuit outriders dressed as Buddhist priests.
• He arrives at the Jesuit Mission, a large European-style stone house in Osaka, and is greeted by servants and Father Soldi, his secretary.
• Father Alvito is welcomed by Carlo dell’Aqua, Father-Visitor of Asia and one of the most powerful Jesuits, along with Captain-General Ferriera, who commands the yearly treasure ship from Portugal.
• Toranaga, the President of the Regents, has delayed discussions on trade permissions and clearances which alarms Captain-General Ferriera as he is prepared to sail immediately with his ship loaded with silks and precious metals.
• Ferriera is concerned about his ship being at risk if it encounters an enemy vessel due to lack of clearance and protection, while Father Alvito and dell’Aqua discuss Toranaga's unexpected questioning of the Portuguese monopoly on trade with Japan and China.
• Toranaga is suspicious of the Jesuits and Portuguese, believing them to be involved in an assassination attempt on an Englishman named Blackthorne, who has been accused of spreading heresy.
• Toranaga has requested from the Jesuits a map of the world, an account of the Spanish and Portuguese "conquests" in the New World, and information on the use of Japanese mercenaries in Spanish and Portuguese territories.
• Ferriera and dell’Aqua clash on the involvement of Jesuits in Japanese politics, with Ferriera being reprimanded for considering violent interference.
• Despite Ferriera's objections, dell’Aqua insists on non-intervention in Japan's politics and stresses the priority of preserving the Church and its interests over warfare and conquest.
• After Ferriera leaves, Father Alvito reports to dell’Aqua that Toranaga wants more information on an incident involving the smuggling of weapons which may have implications for the Jesuits.
• Maria, a Japanese Christian who may know some internal secrets about Blackthorne and the accusations against the Portuguese, is unwilling to share information.
• A confrontation occurs when Friar Perez, a Spanish Franciscan, enters the room against orders and threatens to preach in Japan, despite being previously exiled.
• dell’Aqua is worried about the potential harm Perez could cause and orders surveillance on him, fearing that the Spanish Franciscan could incite conflict and endanger the Jesuit mission.