Chapter 42
Contains spoilersOverview
Toranaga meets Zataki at Yokosé. Zataki delivers the Regents’ summons and an impeachment order, threatening their mother’s life if harmed. Toranaga delays a day. Zataki also pressures Yabu to betray Toranaga and brands him outlaw.
That night Kiku performs as Toranaga considers formalizing the Willow World and a geisha class. Meanwhile, a Jesuit acolyte is excommunicated and renounces the faith; Alvito is summoned.
Summary
Toranaga arrives at Yokosé, where Buntaro has secured the village, simplified the meeting dais, and posted men across approaches and the bridge. Buntaro has searched Father Alvito and confiscated carrier pigeons. Toranaga notes Mariko’s request to travel to Osaka and orders Buntaro to make peace with her. Mariko serves tea at the parley.
At the formal meeting, Zataki bluntly delivers a Regents’ edict commanding Toranaga to present himself at Osaka, then another ordering his impeachment and seppuku. Zataki reveals their mother is held at Takato and will be killed if he is harmed. He demands Toranaga abdicate to Sudara and die. Toranaga refuses an immediate answer and gains a day.
Afterward, Toranaga goes hawking with Naga, masking his fury. Yabu reports Zataki privately urged him to assassinate Toranaga and slaughter his men, then handed him an order to leave for Osaka or be outlawed. Toranaga rebukes Omi for not accompanying Yabu, notes Yabu is now committed by accepting the scroll, and invites them to dine.
That night Kiku performs, entrancing the gathering. Toranaga recalls Gyoko’s proposal: concentrate the Willow World in a fenced district to police and tax it, and formally create geisha as non-pillow artists distinct from courtesans. Toranaga approves in principle and intends to buy Kiku’s contract for himself and take Gyoko and Kiku with him.
Across the river, Father Alvito confronts Brother Joseph for breaking vows. Joseph rails at the Jesuits’ refusal to ordain Japanese, refuses scourging, is excommunicated, and renounces Christianity for Shinto. A Toranaga samurai detains him as another summons Alvito to Toranaga.
Who Appears
- Yoshi Toranaga
Daimyo; secures Yokosé, delays Zataki’s ultimatum, rebukes Yabu and Omi, hawks, and plans Willow World reforms and to buy Kiku.
- Saigawa Zataki
Toranaga’s half brother and Regent; delivers summons and seppuku order, threatens their mother, pressures Yabu, accepts one-day delay.
- Toda Buntaro
War captain; arranges defenses, urges striking Zataki, is ordered to reconcile with Mariko, stands behind Toranaga at the parley.
- Naga
Toranaga’s son; serves as equerry, observes the parley, joins hawking, receives rare praise, present at the dinner.
- Kasigi Yabu
Lord of Izu; meets Zataki alone, is urged to betray Toranaga, receives outlaw edict, inadvertently commits himself by accepting it.
- Omi
Yabu’s retainer; fails to attend the Zataki meeting, is scolded by Toranaga, attends the evening entertainment.
- Toda Mariko
Serves tea at the parley; seeks permission to travel to Osaka; sits between Blackthorne and Buntaro during Kiku’s performance.
- John Blackthorne (Anjin-san)
Present at Yokosé; slated to escort Mariko by sea if allowed; restless during Kiku’s performance.
- Kiku
First-rank courtesan; performs superbly; subject of contract purchase; exemplar for proposed geisha distinction.
- Gyoko
Tea-house proprietor; proposes fenced Willow World and geisha class; negotiates Kiku’s contract with Toranaga.
- Father Martin Alvito (Tsukku-san)
Jesuit; searched and pigeons seized; later excommunicates Joseph, then is summoned to meet Toranaga.
- Brother Joseph (Uraga-noh-Tadamasasan)
Jesuit acolyte; breaks vows, protests lack of Japanese ordination, refuses scourging, is excommunicated, renounces Christianity.
- Brother Michael
Calm acolyte; tries to disarm and comfort Joseph, promises prayers, emblem of restraint.