John Blackthorne, an English ship pilot, whose vessel wrecked upon the Japanese coast in the early 16th century is forced to deal with the two most powerful men in Japan in these days. He is thrown in the midst of a war between Toranaga and Ishido, who struggle for the title of Shogun which will give ultimate power to the one who possesses it.　　译文(2): 约翰 · 布莱克索恩，一位英国船只驾驶员，他的船在16世纪早期在日本海岸失事，现在被迫与日本最有权势的两个人打交道。他被卷入鸟中和石田之间的战争中，他们为将军的头衔而斗争，这个头衔将给予拥有它的人终极权力。