Chapter 4

Summary

• Vinck is paralyzed by fear as he is chosen to face death, experiencing a sense of injustice and despair.
• When ordered to hurry onto a ladder and face his fate, Vinck attempts to stand but requires assistance from Pieterzoon.
• Blackthorne intervenes, forbidding any of his crew to walk to their death without a fight, using the word "Kinjiru" to indicate it's forbidden.
• A confrontation ensues between Blackthorne, Vinck, and various samurai, with Vinck fighting in a berserk frenzy to protect Blackthorne.
• The crew engage in a desperate, violent struggle against the samurai, with Vinck and others showing acts of selfless bravery and extreme violence.
• Blackthorne is pinned down and almost defeated but continues to fight fiercely until overwhelmed and losing consciousness.
• Omi, seemingly in control of the situation, forces Pieterzoon up the ladder using threats and violence, while Blackthorne and a samurai lay inert.
• The ladder is retracted, leaving the crew in darkness, and they tend to their wounds and speculate about the consequences of Blackthorne's actions.
• The crew expresses various sentiments towards Blackthorne, some considering him mad or responsible for their plight, while van Nekk defends him.
• The villagers pour fish offal and seawater into the cellar with the imprisoned crew, resulting in screams as they endure further suffering.
• Yabu meditates amidst the sound of screams, experiencing a heightened sense of sensuality and detachment.
• Omi's internal conflict is revealed as he feels both pride in his achievements and horror at Yabu's method of torture.
• Omi reluctantly participates in the torture of the barbarian, but is clearly disturbed by the inhumanity and lack of dignity in the process.
• Mura, the village headman, bears the responsibility for his villagers' behavior and contemplates the heavy burdens of increasing taxes and maintaining honor.
• Yabu and Omi share a moment of dark poetry that reinforces Yabu's cruel and detached nature.