Father Domingo quotes from Shōgun

Father Domingo

Dear God, you're a child in the wilderness. You don't know their games. Toranaga is a prisoner in Osaka castle. Isolated by his rivals on the Council of Regents. There's Sugiyama, descended from the richest samurai family in Japan. Ohno, a feared warrior, whose affliction of leprosy led him into the arms of the Church. And Kiyama, a man whose faith in Christ is guided only by his greed and ambition. All of them are in the palm of Ishido, caretaker of the castle. Any day now, these men will vote on Toranaga's demise.

Father Domingo

I came here in '72, clutching my rosary, visions of the souls I would save. Then I learned the true tenets of the cloth: silk, gold and guns. These Jesuits care nothing for their souls. They've made an idol of that cursed Black Ship. That's how they dominate trade. The Chinese hate Japan. So all trade goes through the Portuguese. It's usury. The late Taiko even tried to put a stop to it, but the Church had incited the rebellion, smuggled guns from that secret base in Macao... I met a man who said he'd been to that fortress, said there were Japanese soldiers... hundreds of them... all converted to Catholicism.

Father Domingo

Hear me, my son. I alone will tell you the truth. If Toranaga claimed you as an ally, you'll never leave Japan alive.

This English pilot... how do you mean, obscene?

Father Domingo

You know the sort. Uh, dirty. Diseased. And he's got a filthy mouth. He's like a back-passage of the 15th rank. Know what I mean, Father-visitor?

Father Martin Alvito

[Perusing journal] These journals are proof of his depravity. Look your eminence. [Hands journal to Father Visitor Carlo]

Domingo

Sacked, pillaged and slaughtered his way through Manila. He's a real piece of work, that one. Brutal savage.

So we show this to the Japanese. And he will be hanged for piracy.

Alvito

I'm afraid it may not be so simple. Despite the discord in Osaka, Toranaga is still president of foreign relations. He's a thorough man. I fear he'll want a complete translation of this journal. [Turns a whole pages] Perhaps a bit too complete.

[Servant drops a money bag on table, to Father Domingo] I'll thank you to leave now.

Domingo

[Grabs money bag, to clergy figure] So you know, this, uh, pirate, he's not a man to leave his fate to God. I suggest you don't either. [Walks away]

John Blackthorne

You're telling me the lords here don't know?

Father Domingo

It's too late for that now.

John

You don't understand. I must tell them. That's my way out.

Domingo

You can't play their game. Their rules are too opaque, their hearts too guarded.

John

You don't know me.

Domingo

I've known a thousand of you.

Father Domingo

Another soul for every hour of the day. It's nothing for you to fear now. You'll die a martyr. On the cross, perhaps.

John Blackthorne

I'm sorry, Father, I didn't come all this way around the world just to die on a cross.

Father Domingo

Toranaga was born Minowara. A name that carries great weight in Japan. For centuries, his ancestors dominated this country, carrying with them a divine mandate.

John Blackthorne

Mandate?

Domingo

A title, revered through the ages. The ultimate rank a mortal can achieve. Shogun.