This article contains spoilers forShogunepisode 10.
The characters of FXsShogunknow all about endings.
It is why our houses are built to go up as quickly as they come down, she says.
Because death is in our air.
And sea and earth.
It can come for us at any moment.
Before you meddle with our politics, just remember … we live and we die.
We control nothing beyond that.
Mariko helped establish the future withher sacrifice inShoguns penultimate episode.
Who Destroyed Blackthornes Ship?
While theShogunfinale is mostly about answers, it does introduce one new question early on in its proceedings.
So who would do such a thing?
While thats partially true, it doesnt tell the whole story.
She did so with the full blessing of Toranaga.
Everybody gets what they want here.
Mariko is (posthumously) happy that Blackthorne gets to live.
The Portuguese are happy that a threat to them is off the board.
It was a necessary ruse to test the Anjin, Toranaga later tells Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano).
What is the name of John Blackthorne’s beloved ship?
Who of the following is NOT on the Council or Regents?
What title does John Blackthorne receive from Lord Toranaga?
What’s the code name of Lord Toranaga’s final plan?
What is Lady Ochiba-no-kata’s real name?
Which of the following languages is spoken on Shogun?
What real life figure is Lord Toranaga based on?
Who is the Lord of Izu?
What does “Anjin” mean?
What Was Crimson Sky Really?
Even the barbarian understands as much.
All it cost was the life of one woman … but what a bonfire she made in the process.
Was sending Mariko to defeat Osaka rather an army what Crimson Sky meant this whole time?
To answer that last question first: yes, what we just witnessed was Crimson Sky.
Toranaga tells Yabushige as much before Yabushige is compelled to commit seppuku: Crimson Sky is finished.
In hindsight, Toranaga and Hiromatsus original conception of Crimson Sky felt uncommonly inelegant for the scheming lord.
If that ever was part of Toranagas plans, it certainly wasnt anymore after an earthquake devastated his army.
The unity of the court was not great, Cryns explained.
It really started to crumble as soon as hostilities started.
The letter of Ochiba does exist in real life.
Yodo-no-Kata also sent a letter to Ieyasu [the real life version of Toranaga] that Mitsunari was plotting.
The heir was not on the side of Mitsunari.
But Toranaga assures Yabu that he doesnt create the wind, he only studies it.
And thanks to what happens next, we all know which way the wind is blowing.
What Happens Next?
We opened this piece by saying thatShogunis all about endings.
While true, that sentiment leaves out just how muchShogunis about beginnings as well.
Men like Ishido or the Taiko who were born into lower castes would never climb the ranks of power.
Tokugawa also closed Japan to all foreigners, only maintaining one port for foreign trade.
It was a time of invention, art, and urbanization.
By the early 18th century, Edo was the largest city in the world.
Did John Blackthorne Ever Leave Japan?
That dream ends when Blackthorne makes the decision to attempt suicide to protest Toranagas treatment of the villagers.
At that point he truly accepts that he will live and/or die in what was once a strange land.
Toranaga later tells Yabushige that I dont think its his fate to ever leave Japan and Toranaga is right.
The real life William Adams never left Japan.
Will There Be a Shogun Season 2?
FX has not expressed any such misgivings when it comes toShogun.
James Clavells 1975 book upon whichShogunis based tells a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end.
As does the 1980 miniseries adaptation for NBC.
The story of Toranaga, Blackthorne, Mariko, and company is complete.
There is, however, one way in which aShogunseason 2 might make sense.
IncludingShogun, Clavell wrote six books that take place in various historical periods across Asia.
But I dont think that anyone ever wants to be out over their skis without a roadmap and everything.
All 10 episodes ofShogunare available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ now.
