“I hereby promise to deny foreigners all communication, service, or friendship that could conceivably promote foreign interests over those of Japan,” Sano read. “I also promise never to practice the Christian religion. If I fail to uphold these promises, may the gods, the bakufu, and His Excellency the shōgun wreak their vengeance upon myself, my family, and all my associates.”

“Trample the Christian icon,” Governor Nagai instructed.

The servant spread the cloth on the floor: a portrait of a long-haired, bearded barbarian with a circular golden aura around his head. Sano stood and trod on the image, over the scuffs and cracks that already marred its surface.

“Now sign the scroll, if you please.”

Sano knelt. From the pouch at his waist he took his personal seal, which he inked then pressed against the scroll. He picked up the needle and plunged it into his finger. The pain underscored the oath’s gravity. The drop of blood he squeezed onto the scroll represented the blood that would flow if he broke his oath.

Just as Hirata finished taking his turn, a guard burst into the room. “Honorable Governor,” he blurted, falling to his knees and bowing. “Please forgive this interruption, but a Dutch ship has been sighted approaching the harbor!”

“Yes. How inconvenient. Well.” Governor Nagai turned to Sano. “The Dutch cannot land now. All the security forces are busy searching for Director Spaen; there’s no one left to escort the ship. It would be dangerous to let a horde of barbarians enter Japanese territory unsupervised; the law forbids it. You must immediately tell the captain to wait outside the harbor until Spaen is found.”

Sano guessed from Nagai’s suddenly sharp gaze that this wouldn’t be an easy task. A kernel of fear took root in his chest. What had curiosity and the desire for personal fulfillment gotten him into?

But it was too late to reconsider his decision. He’d committed himself, and duty called.

“My personal barge will take you to the Dutch ship,” Governor Nagai said, hearty in his relief at no longer being responsible for matters concerning the missing Dutchman. “Chief Interpreter Iishino will translate for you.” After telling the guard to convey the orders, he smiled at Sano. “I wish you good luck, sōsakan-sama.”

3

三

Sano gripped the railing of Governor Nagai’s barge as twenty oarsmen propelled him up the harbor channel toward the yet unseen Dutch ship. During the journey from Edo, he hadn’t been seasick once. Now his stomach churned, and he felt cold despite the hot sun that blazed down on him. The sight of the tossing waves and passing cliffs made him dizzy while he prayed for courage.