Chapter 22

Summary

• The cortege with two litters passes through multiple checkpoints at the castle where documents are checked and escorts change.
• Blackthorne has serious concerns about who knows Toranaga is secretly in one of the litters and the implications if discovered.
• He reflects on the potential consequences of being caught in the escape and his own vulnerability.
• Mariko notices Blackthorne's distractions, offering to switch places with him but is reassured that he is fine.
• Blackthorne secretly wishes for the safety and familiarity of being at sea and laments seeing Toranaga disguised as Kiritsubo.
• A checkpoint captain inquires about Blackthorne's origins, and Mariko gives a misleading answer to respect Blackthorne's dignity.
• Blackthorne longs for the return to sea, to implement his plans for trade in Asia, speculates on his eventual return to England, and dreams of riches and knighthood.
• They continue passing checkpoints without incident but under strict scrutiny.
• Blackthorne admires Mariko's appearance and is pleased to have cleared up a prior misunderstanding with her.
• He remains uneasy about being closely watched by numerous samurai guards.
• The group nears the castle's final exit as Blackthorne envisions controlling trade with Toranaga's help.
• Ishido, a rival, appears unexpectedly, causing tension among the procession, particularly with Buntaro, Mariko's husband.
• Yabu exchanges formal pleasantries with Ishido, giving the impression of a routine departure.
• Ishido asks to deliver a message to Yedo, but a standoff ensues when he insists on handing it directly to "Kiritsubo," who is actually Toranaga.
• Blackthorne feigns madness to distract from Toranaga's exposure and to avoid conflict, capitalizing on a cultural belief regarding madmen.
• Mariko plays along with Blackthorne's act of madness to help defuse the situation, while Yabu sees through it but has his own reasons for wanting Blackthorne alive.
• Blackthorne continues his feigned madness, leading the group away from the castle.
• Yabu convinces Ishido to spare Blackthorne by emphasizing his value alive, while keeping Ishido’s attention away from the litters.
• The procession leaves the castle without further incident, Buntaro protects Toranaga in the litter, and Yabu is worried about the repercussions of the escape attempt.
• Once out of sight of the castle, Blackthorne collapses from exhaustion and stress.