Chapter 50
Summary
- Blackthorne spends the day alone daydreaming and feels frustrated by his confinement and lack of communication with Toranaga.
- He encounters Mariko, who informs him that everyone, including Lord Hiro-matsu, is awaiting audience with Toranaga and must write for an interview.
- Mariko reveals her difficulty in obtaining a pass to leave for Osaka and the possibility of Toranaga changing plans.
- Blackthorne expresses concern over the unusual occurrences in the castle and Toranaga's seclusion but Mariko reassures him of their lord's righteousness.
- During the evening meal, Blackthorne reflects on his complex feelings about his various lovers and his duty as Pilot.
- Toranaga receives confirmation from his mother about his brother's agreement and impending state visit by Lord Sudara and his family.
- At Toranaga's pigeon loft, Hiro-matsu discusses with Toranaga the possibility of deposement and delaying departure to Osaka; Toranaga reveals that his plan all along was a ruse.
- Mariko obtains her travel documents for Osaka and an increase in her son's fief, but feels doubtful about everything.
- Mariko has a concerning conversation with Gyoko about their standing with Toranaga and the implications of her knowing Mariko's potential secrets.
- Blackthorne and Mariko share a private moment aboard his ship, with Blackthorne revealing his freedom and plans to use his ship against Toranaga’s Catholic enemies.
- Yabu arrives at the jetty to hand Blackthorne his crew, ship, and offers freedom from Japanese authority on international waters, surprising Blackthorne.
- Blackthorne is given the choice to take or refuse a group of ronin vassals, including an ex-Christian priest turned samurai, Uraga-noh-Tadamasa.
- Yabu engages in a public duel with a ronin after an insult escalates and Blackthorne is coerced into arming the ronin.
- Yabu defeats and kills the ronin and regains his honor, then suggests Blackthorne allow his new vassals to blood their swords on the corpse, marking a good omen.
- Yabu returns home and discusses with Yuriko the events of the day, including a hidden plot to assassinate Ikawa Jikkyu using poison—funded by coins from Blackthorne’s ship.
- Yuriko suggests to Yabu that working with Blackthorne and protecting him from Jesuit assassination attempts is critical and that Toranaga is preparing for war, not surrender.
- Mariko, perplexed by the day's events and actions of Toranaga, decides that he must be playing a hidden game to turn the table on Ishido and does not intend to surrender.
- Gyoko shares with Mariko the knowledge of a possible Amida tong plot against Blackthorne and that Kiku, a courtesan, is potentially pregnant with Blackthorne's or Toranaga's child.
- Gyoko informs Mariko that the Anjin-san should be wary of Uraga in Nagasaki due to his true loyalties lying with his uncle, Lord Harima.