Chapter 59
Contains spoilersOverview
Blackthorne attends Mariko’s state funeral, then loses Ishido’s protection and is escorted by Kiyama’s men. At the Jesuit wharf, dell’Aqua blocks Ferriera’s move to burn him; Pesaro is killed by Kiyama’s archers. Dell’Aqua releases Blackthorne to his galley and reports Erasmus was gutted after a tidal wave, spurring a desperate run for Yokohama.
Summary
At dawn, Blackthorne wakes with partial hearing and crushing head pain. Lady Ochiba permits him to attend Mariko’s cremation. He’s borne to the riverside rites, where Ishido, Ochiba, and other lords witness. Saruji lights the pyre; Blackthorne offers a quiet Christian benediction before collapsing into sleep.
Later, Blackthorne discovers his guards removed and is ordered to his ship under Brother Michael’s guidance. When a rude captain presses him, Blackthorne asserts his hatamoto rank and forces respect, then passes Osaka’s checkpoints under careful escort. Michael reveals his Roman experiences as they head toward the Jesuit Mission and the waterfront.
At the Mission gate, Father-Visitor dell’Aqua meets Blackthorne and leads him to the wharf, where Captain-General Ferriera has raised a stake to burn him. Dell’Aqua threatens excommunication; Ferriera grudgingly stands down. When the bosun Pesaro tries to shoot, Kiyama’s archers kill him, and tensions subside.
Dell’Aqua escorts Blackthorne on, explaining Kiyama consented to release him to honor Mariko and because Blackthorne is samurai. Ferriera taunts that Erasmus is destroyed; dell’Aqua relays news of a tidal wave heeling the ship and a fatal fire. Reeling, Blackthorne denies it and lunges before being disarmed and returned to Kiyama’s custody.
Aboard the galley with Yabu, Vinck, Kiritsubo, Lady Sazuko, and the Browns’ survivors, debate flares over their course. Blackthorne insists they head for Yokohama to learn the truth about Erasmus, as the vessel pulls away from Osaka against wind and tide.
Who Appears
- John Blackthorne (Anjin-san)
Half-deaf, attends Mariko’s funeral, asserts hatamoto status, spared by dell’Aqua, learns Erasmus burned, orders course to Yokohama.
- Father-Visitor dell’Aqua
Intervenes at the wharf, threatens excommunication, stops Ferriera, oversees Pesaro fallout, releases Blackthorne to his galley.
- Brother Michael
Kiyama’s samurai-Jesuit; guides Blackthorne, discusses Rome, signals archers who kill Pesaro, helps secure Blackthorne’s release.
- Captain-General Ferriera
Attempts to seize and burn Blackthorne; backs down under threat of excommunication; taunts about Erasmus’s destruction.
- Ishido
Witnesses funeral; his protective grasp over Blackthorne lapses as Kiyama’s escort supersedes castle control.
- Lady Ochiba-no-kata
Allows Blackthorne to attend Mariko’s funeral; emblem of authority within Osaka Castle.
- Lord Kiyama
Authorizes escort; his men shield dell’Aqua; releases Blackthorne to honor Mariko and his samurai status.
- Saruji (Lady Mariko’s son)
Leads cremation rites, lights the pyre, honors his mother publicly.
- Kiritsubo
Thanks Blackthorne; attends funeral; later aboard the galley among Toranaga’s survivors.
- Yabu
Aboard the galley; urges Nagasaki first for men; yields as Blackthorne demands Yokohama.
- Vinck
On the galley; alarmed by news of Erasmus; supports Blackthorne.
- Rodrigues
On the Portuguese ship; keeps crew ready; silently confirms Erasmus’s loss.
- Pesaro
Ferriera’s bosun; attempts to shoot Blackthorne; killed by Kiyama archers.
- Saigo Masakatsu
Ronin-turned-captain in Ishido’s garrison; cowed when Blackthorne asserts hatamoto rank.
- Lady Sazuko
Attends funeral; later aboard the galley with Toranaga’s household.