Shogun

 Who doesn't like series about samurai, and so let's have a look at this remake from the 1980 miniseries, based on a novel from 1975.

 

 

But do note, more then half the time it is Japanese spoken, so you better have those subs at the ready!

 

It follows the adventures of the english pirate John Blackthorne, who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, and Lord Toanaga, a daimyo at odds with his political rivals.  The series is "historical fiction" in that the characters are losely based on actual historical figures from the time.

 

In the year 1600, after the death of the Taiko, the rule of the land is split amongst five equal regents.  Blackthorne and his crew arrive at Edo (current day Tokyo) after being shipwrecked and captured by the samurai, and quickly comes at odds with the portugese catholic church, Blackthorne being a protestant himself.  The lord of the region, Toranaga, is at odds with the other four regents about the rulings of the area, and they plot to oust him, as Blackthorne is taken to Osaka Castle to meet with Toranaga and the lady Mariko.

 

Toranaga sees in Blackthorne a good companion to sow distrust amongst his rivals, as he knows they are plotting against him and now has been handed a wild card.  Blackthorne in the meantime has learned that the Portugese have a secret military base in Macao, and a rescue is staged to save the englishman from execution by Ishido and the church.  He explains to Toranaga that the Spanish and Portugese have divided the world between them, without any disregard for whoever might live in the asian lands.

 

 

Toranaga and his party escape from an assassination attempt at Osaka Castle, and they break out through a blockade with the help of a portugese Black Ship that has been skimming profits from the silk trade, striking a deal.  Toranaga makes Blackthorne a hatamoto and asks him to train his men in the western tactics of warfare, to give them an edge over the traditionally trained japanese forces.  He accepts to do this, and starts learning the art of cannons to the troops.  But during a visit from one of the other regents agents, Toranaga's subordinate takes matters in his own hands and kills the envoys, making Toranaga realise war is now upon them.

 

Mariko, who has slept with Blackthorne, is forced by her drunk husband to reveal her disgraced family lineage to the englishman.  Still denied to leave Japan though, he rises through the ranks and becomes an admiral and granted a fief for saving Toranaga from a landslide, caused by an earthquake.  As political machinations continue to have him impeached, he invokes the secret Crimson Sky plan to protect the lady Yaechiyo and limit future bloodshed.  His army travels to Edo to prepare for his son's funeral, who died in an accident trying to catch a spy.  Toranaga considers surrendering to limit bloodshed, much to the objection of his subordinates.

 

 

But during the journey to leave the city with the family, it becomes clear that they are all being held hostage.  Mariko sacrifices herself to allow them all to get out of the city, much to the dismay of Blackthorne as they had confessed their love to each other the night prior.  War is declared officially on Toranaga, but at the battle of Sekigahara he becomes victorious...

 

A great series, and a true joy to watch how the politics play out and lines are connected amidst the impressive backdrop of feudal Japan.  if you like historical drama, samurai, intrigue and action, this is definitly worth a watch!