Chapter 39
Summary
- Fujiko, a female character, has been injured and her maid Nigatsu has perished in a fire caused by a house collapsing.
- Blackthorne, another key character, is found to be alive and unharmed after the events.
- Fujiko is bedridden with severe burns, and a doctor is attending to her with herbal remedies.
- Both the doctor and Blackthorne show concern for Fujiko's survival, with the doctor assuring Blackthorne that she will recover.
- Blackthorne interacts with his servants and villagers as they try to salvage and rebuild amidst concerns about coming rains.
- He receives news from Toranaga that he and Fujiko should stay in a fortress until the house is rebuilt.
- Blackthorne reflects on the damage to his own home and names a rock in his garden after Ueki-ya, possibly a deceased individual significant to him.
- Blackthorne has a conversation with Omi, who is wearing a fresh kimono and has freshly shampooed hair, implying his status or rank.
- Omi discusses the outcomes of the earthquake, minimal damage to his own residence, and the lucky survival of the village.
- Omi invites Blackthorne to use his undamaged bath and informs him about the situation with Toranaga and the Portuguese "Black Ship."
- Blackthorne has an extensive exchange where he shares desires of attacking the Portuguese Black Ship with Mariko, serving as a translator between him and Toranaga.
- Toranaga shows no interest in being at war with the Portuguese and says what Blackthorne does in international waters is his own concern.
- Mariko struggles with her divided loyalties between Toranaga and Blackthorne while trying to remain impartial as an interpreter.
- Toranaga and Mariko discuss the complex web of relationships and political affiliations within Japan, including the possibility that some Christians may be enemies to Toranaga's cause.
- Blackthorne and Mariko talk about Blackthorne's hopes to form an alliance between Japan and England as well as his request to borrow money for a crew in Nagasaki.
- Toranaga rewards Blackthorne with a fief, the title of Chief Admiral and Pilot of the Kwanto, and two swords crafted by a master as thanks for saving his life.
- Toranaga strategically withholds information about his battle plans to his officers, supposedly to throw off the enemy.
- Toranaga gives an impassioned speech to his officers, inciting them for the upcoming battle and rewarding Yabu with new lands for loyalty.
- Amid the cheers and excitement, Omi plots how to benefit from Yabu's rise and considers how to involve Blackthorne in his schemes.