Chapter 1

Summary

• Blackthorne wakes up in a Japanese house, confused about his surroundings but fascinated by the clean, cedar-covered room and the food served to him.
• He deduces from a crucifix that he's in a house owned by Spanish or Portuguese Christians, questioning whether he's in Japan or Cathay (China).
• A Japanese woman, who appears to be a servant, enters; unable to communicate, she leaves after realizing Blackthorne is hungry.
• Reflecting on his situation, Blackthorne recalls the events leading up to his current predicament, including a storm at sea, talking with a native who knew some Portuguese, and being cared for after he was washed ashore.
• When he wakes again, food is provided, his clothes cleaned, but he notices his knife and keys are missing, considering the need to arm himself.
• Considering the religious implications, Blackthorne notes the prevalence of Christianity and fantasizes about the supposed wealth of the region.
• He explores the house, interacts with its residents and notices their different response to nudity.
• Venturing outside, he observes the village layout, the local people's foreign customs, and concludes there's an absence of weapons among them.
• While exploring the village, Blackthorne encounters a hostile Portuguese or Spanish priest named Father Sebastio.
• Confronted by Father Sebastio and Japanese men, Blackthorne learns that Japan refers to itself as "Nippon" and that a local lord (daimyo) will decide his fate.
• In a shocking public act, samurai Omi-san executes a villager for disrespect with terrifying efficiency and later dismembers the body.
• Blackthorne returns to his ship, finds it commandeered by samurai, and realizes he can't recover his secret navigation documents due to restrictions.
• Back with his crew, they swap stories, lament the lack of alcohol, and express concern over the danger presented by the local Jesuits and authorities.
• The crew discusses their journey to Japan, the decision-making that led to their current situation, and their survival chances given the presence of Jesuits.
• Blackthorne assures them to wait for the daimyo, hoping to trade and secure safe passage afterward despite their fears of the unknown.
• Returning to his accommodations, Blackthorne encounters a misunderstanding in communication, and a disagreement with Mura, the headman, leads to a forced bath after being neutralized with martial techniques.
• Mura reminisces about his past as a warrior and reflects on the current political and social situation in Japan, as well as the curious case of Blackthorne, the foreign pirate.