The Erasmus, a Dutch ship, piloted by an English sailor (John Blackthorne) wrecks on the coast of Japan (near Ajiro) in 1600. The Portuguese are the only Europeans doing business in Japan. The Taikō has recently died leaving his young son and heir in the hands of five regents. Blackthorne is taken prisoner by the local ruler who passes him along to his uncle, Kashigi Yabushige.
A Portuguese priest denounces Blackthore and encourages Kashigi to execute him. One of the other surviving sailors from the Erasmus is executed in Blackthorne's place. Blackthorne is taken by ship to Osaka but before they get there the ship goes through a violent storm.






