"Clouds and Rain" is a Chinese euphemism for sex. "The Bringer of Clouds and Rain" is a lady of the night, a prostitute. Clouds are thought to be the blending of the male and female, the sky and the earth, and the rain, the climax of the union. It comes from an old Chinese creation story in which heaven or sky, the Great Father, and earth, the Great Mother, are thought of as a conjugal couple engaged in sexual congress which is never ending.
In Japanese Buddhism, the Amida Buddha, also known as Amitabha Tathagata, is the Buddha of Limitless Light. He is the closest entity to the Western idea of God in Japanese Buddhism
A naginata is a long pole with a sharp, curved sword blade on one end. It is a traditional Japanese blade and polearm that was originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, especially among women. The word "naginata" means "reaping sword" or "mowing down sword". The blade can be 1-3 feet long and is sharpened on one side. The naginata is commonly believed to have evolved from a farming tool used for chopping.
The wives of the samurai were trained to protect the home and village when the samurai warriors were away at battle.
Hatamoto translates to 'near the banner' or 'under the banner' due to their literal positioning to their lord in battle, closest by their side and the last line of defense. But this closeness also applied off the battlefield and signified a strong trust in all matters. It essentially means advisor to a potentate, or even a high-ranking samurai, in areas such diplomacy, trade, foreign policy, and battlefield tactics.
William Adams, the historical basis for Blackthorne, began as an advisor to Tokugawa on diplomacy and trade. But eventually he earned the title of Hatamoto, giving him a lot of influence when it came to foreign policy.
William Adams, the historical basis for Blackthorne, began as an advisor to Tokugawa on diplomacy and trade. But eventually he earned the title of Hatamoto, giving him a lot of influence when it came to foreign policy.