Sano knew these bare facts, but needed to learn more in a hurry. “Interpreter Iishino, tell me about Dutch customs,” he said. “How does one address them?”

Iishino beamed, fairly hopping in his pleasure at having his advice sought. “The barbarians are very different from Japanese, very different. The merchants fight wars, like samurai. But they are misers with no dignity. Excuse me, sōsakan-sama, but you’re standing in the sun again. Please, get back in the shade.”

Sano had moved to get away from Iishino’s jittering. He disliked the way the interpreter bossed him around. His annoyance must have shown, because Iishino said reproachfully, “I’m only trying to help.”

“All right. Thank you.” Sano hid his exasperation. “Now about the Dutch … ?”

Iishino’s smile returned. “Call them by their titles and their last names, which are their family names. They hate formality, and it’s funny to watch them get impatient during ceremonies.” He laughed, a loud, braying hoot. “They’re very coarse and inferior. But when they’re in our country, they must follow our customs. It’s the law.”

The Dutch barbarians sounded utterly alien. As the barge navigated around Takayama and several other islands, Sano’s trepidation increased.

“If you’ll permit me to speak frankly, sōsakan-sama, I’m sure you’re very competent. But since you have no experience with barbarians, it would be foolish for you to handle the Dutch in a grave situation like this. And I’ve heard—”

Iishino jittered closer to Sano. “I’ve heard that you’ve displeased Chamberlain Yanagisawa, which shows a lack of the diplomacy one needs in foreign relations. When we reach the ship, let me handle things. You talk, and I’ll pretend to translate what you say, so you don’t lose face. Oh, and you really should stand here in the shade, where it’s comfortable, more comfortable.”

“I’ll stand where I choose, if you don’t mind,” Sano snapped. He was astounded by the pushy Iishino’s tactless insults. As chief interpreter, Iishino would have many junior interpreters working under him. In addition to his salary, he would collect translation fees from both Dutch and Japanese merchants. How had such an obnoxious man gotten such a coveted position?

“Tell me something,” Sano said. “Was your father chief interpreter before you?”

“Why, yes.”

“I might have guessed.” Many posts were hereditary, with less importance attached to ability or character than to lineage.

Iishino’s smile dimmed. “You’re angry, aren’t you? I was only—”

“Trying to help.” Now Sano felt guilty for rejecting Iishino’s solicitude.