Want to learn more about the Sengoku and Edo periods of Japan as seen on Shogun?
These documentaries can help out.
However, these narrative films can obscure the complex history behind the events.
Here are a few samurai-focused documentaries to dig into between episodes ofShogun.
It was Hideyoshi who provided the inspiration forShoguns Taiko and created the Council of Five Elders.
While historians provide the narrative, the show is dominated by surprisingly well-acted and incredibly bloody reenactments.
The entire series is worthwhile, but the final two episodes will be of particular interest toShogunfans.
Mifune: The Last Samurai
This isnt exactly a documentary about samurai.
However, the 2015 film directed by Steven Okazaki is very much relevant toShogun.
For most viewers, if theyve seen any samurai movie, theyve probably seen Mifune at work.
Importantly, Mifune also played Lord Yoshii Toranaga in the original, Emmy-winningShogunminiseries from 1980.
It also features interviews with directors inspired by Mifune and Kurosawas relationship, including Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.
These beautiful films individual episodes focused on 21 of Kurosawas films arent available as a single collection.
However, Criterion has included many of them in the special features of its Kurosawa DVDs.
Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire
This three-partEmpiresspecial from PBS isveryPBS.
The narration and dramatizations can feel dated and dry.
Thats partly because reenacting this history requires a large scale and, well, this is a PBS documentary.
Nonetheless, the docuseries has depth.
Shogunviewers will find the second episode enlightening.
The 1979 film isnt nearly as beguiling.
However, its frequently and accurately cited as a good film for understanding Japans martial arts.
All 10 episodes of Shogun are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the U.K.
