Describe Blackthorne's personality. What is it about his personality that brings him to Japan and that makes him able to adapt to the Japanese way of life?

How does Blackthorne come to meet Mariko? What is it that keeps the two close together for a great deal of time? How does their relationship change over the course of time? Why?

Who is Toranga? What is his role in the government of the region? How does he come to be in this role? What is his ultimate goal and how does he achieve it?

Who is Yaemon? Ochiba? What are their roles in the government of the region? How do these two come to be involved in the lives of Blackthorne?

Describe the role of the priests, the church and the traders in the lives of the people of Japan. How does this complex situation...