John Blackthorne is a restless English pilot who went to sea seeking a new life and destiny. When he washes up in Japan on the eve of a civil war, Blackthorne's curiosity will keep him alive and propel him into the center of a volatile political conflict.
From a young age, the horizon beckoned to Blackthorne. He studied shipbuilding as an apprentice, eager to explore with no destination in mind. A quick study, Blackthorne soon moved on to studying navigation, working on ships until he gained the coveted position of pilot. Despite having a young family, Blackthorne leaves London, setting sail for the unknown.
The journey on the Erasmus was as dangerous as it was exciting. This ship and her crew were tasked with forging a path into the Pacific Islands and disrupting Portuguese and Spanish trade in Asia.
Despite a sea full of enemy ships, the crew managed to burn several Portuguese bases to the ground. Yet after two years at sea, the Erasmus was plagued by scurvy and starvation, lost in uncharted waters. Blackthorne took the helm with no captain left to lead the hopeless men.
Even with his lofty ambitions, Blackthorne finds more than he bargained for when the Erasmus washes ashore within the territory of Yabushige, a vicious and conniving warlord. Blackthorne learns to communicate, having to think quickly to stay alive. But it is through his meeting with Toranaga, the legendary warlord who will become his captor and mentor, that Blackthorne begins to understand life in Japan.
Through all of the chaos, Blackthorne finds a lifeline in Mariko, a mysterious noblewoman whose skill in language allows her to become his translator. Working together, they form an unexpected bond.
As he becomes further embroiled in Japanese politics, Blackthorne is torn between his original mission and the new life and love he is building in Japan.
