Some changes from the book.

It has been a few years since I read the book, but there are some changes.

So far in episodes 1 and 2;

1. Toranaga of the book does not seem to have the same kind of authority over movement of the Black Ship that he had (none) in the book.
2. The political schemes of the Portuguese and Spanish that Blackthorn revealed to Toranaga are more simplified in the TV series compared to the book.
3. In the book, a male assassin from the Amida Tong attempted to kill Toranaga or Blackthorn, but was stopped when Blackthorn wrestled briefly with the assassin and was then decapitated by Naga, one of Toranaga's sons. In the TV series the assassin was a female servant who Toranaga says was targeting Blackthorn specifically. The assassin is killed by Toranaga.
4. The Christian diamyos of the TV series seem to be more threatened by Blackthorn than they are in the book.
5. After Blackthorn was taken from prison by Ishida's men, they were killed by Toranaga's men in disguise. In the TV series, bandits hired by Lord Yabu rescued Blackthorn, but were then murdered by Yabu's men.