Erasmus

The war trading ship piloted by John Blackthorne, as the story opens, this is the only remaining ship of five.

Rutter

A small book that contains details of the observations of pilots who have sailed a particular area. Details include headlands, channels and magnetic compass courses between various ports. Blackthorne notes that rutters are not always perfect and that the only way a pilot can be certain of an area is to go there once for himself.

Izu

The name of the province where Blackthorne and his crew land following the storm.

Anjiro

The name of the village where Blackthorne and his crew land following the storm.

Seppuku

Also known as hari-kari, this is the act of suicide committed by a warrior. Men disembowel themselves with their swords and women slash their own throats.

Crimson Sky

The code of Toranga's followers to commit to war.

Santa Teresa