Even though the episode ends in a carnage (or perhaps just a bloodbucket), the credits still manage to make me jump and gasp. Yes, Crimson Sky it will be. Also, I am absolutely thrilled to see it. The programme isn’t even a gradual burn; each episode is fantastic in its own right.
Now that we’ve seen three episodes that have maintained a consistent pace, quality, and world-building, I believe the last three episodes will be the finest. Toranaga has exhausted all other avenues for survival, as the Council of Regents has become evidently a puppet show with Lady Ochiba at the helm.
Together with learning about Mariko’s history and the profound bond she shares with Lady Ochiba. Jump right into this blog post and I’ll tell you all you need to know to understand the episode. I will explain the ending of Shogun Episode 6 below. You should be aware that this blog post may have spoilers. The Beginning of the show: Mariko’s Past Wow, the beginning of the show was really riveting.
Spoiler Alert!
Shogun Episode 6 Breakdown
During this brief segment, we learned why Mariko had an eight-fold fence inside of her and what Toda Buntaro made her talk about in the last episode. As a result of her father’s actions at that period, her entire family was murdered and he was forced to commit seppuku.
Also noteworthy about this moment was the opportunity to observe the intimate relationship between Mariko and Lady Ochiba before the murder of Ochiba’s father by Mariko’s father. Their friendship blossomed as they spent what seemed like the majority of their youth in each other’s company. Nonetheless, it was evident that they grew apart following the events involving her father.
In this incident, it became clear that Mariko’s underlying desire to marry Tod Abuntaro was the real reason she was never truly happy with him. She was married off against her will by her father, Toda Buntaro. Her husband was a fierce fighter, but the marriage was for nothing more than his name.
Consequently, the animosity between Mariko and Buntaro is understandable. Regrettably, this episode revealed that Toda has always cared about Mariko, which is a sad reality. I realised he cared for her in some way, and it wasn’t something he was expected to do, when he spoke with Torinaga about how he thought he was helping her by preventing her from dying when she wanted to, but that he couldn’t make her happy like John could. This was all started by the look he gave her when he was watching her years ago.
Okay, so he’s terrible and shouldn’t treat her that way, but it was fascinating to see Toda Buntaru’s thoughts within all that. During her time sitting with John and Lady Kiku, Mariko’s prior hurts surfaced, revealing the anguish she has within her in relation to the willow world.
To me, it seems that since her father betrayed her, Mariko’s life has been nothing but misery and isolation, much like Kiku said the people who go there to escape. The reason we witnessed the flashbacks as she spoke Kiku’s words is that, in that instant, it provided her with an escape from the daily misery she was experiencing in her life; she was vocalising the words that, in my opinion, she wanted to convey to John.
After Toranaga queried Mariko about her relationship with the Anjin, she remained silent until the very end of the programme. It wasn’t long before she began drawing parallels between the struggles men and women endure in the trenches of war. In contrast to women, who are perpetually at war, men strive for dominion, strength, and power, she remarked.
Fighting for survival, at odds with life. To a similar extent, I believe that Mariko feels this way about the challenges she faces in her own life. For instance, she expresses her desire for her father to have wed her off to Toda Buntaro, but Torunaga tells her that her father only did so to guarantee her survival after what he did.
After her marriage to Toda severed ties with her father and the justification for her execution, he realised she was a dangerous woman, as revealed in the episode’s flashbacks. A man’s wife is considered his property, just as stated in the last episode, hence her murder would have no legal consequences.
It is true that the historical character Toda Buntaro is based on—Hosokawa Tadayoki—sent Mariko’s historical figure Tamako into exile. Additionally, he ensured her safety by keeping her hidden from potential dangers. There was an order for the Taiko of the time to transport her to Osaka and confine her in the Hosokawa Mansion as soon as he learned she was alive.
The show’s context makes it work, even though it deviates little from the actual occurrence. It seemed like Mariko had let her father down now that she knew what her father had done and that he had married her off to Toda Buntaro for entirely different reasons. Nevertheless, it appears that Toranaga will guide her to successfully finish the conflict that her father started years ago.
When her father instilled in her the importance of remaining faithful to the realm, as happened here following the Taiko’s successful restoration of peace to Japan, she was a perfect example. Given his demise and Ochiba’s power over the council and declaration of war on Toranaga, she will likely continue in her father’s footsteps, since devotion to the true realm is once again demanded.
When it comes to Yabushigi’s conflict, this guy is absolutely hilarious because he changes his viewpoint so much. A little shift occurs, and he begins to formulate new plans and strategies for shifting alliances. In Toronaga’s shoes, I would just end our relationship. We can’t afford to have him around. On the other hand, Toronaga seems quite knowledgeable, so I’m going to put my faith in him.
The effects of the landslip and earthquake from the last episode were on full display at the beginning of this one, and it appeared as though Toronaga’s army had been nearly completely wiped out. When comparing Toranaga’s alliances with the eastern forces to his own, Yabushige was worried that they wouldn’t be able to capture Osaka and Ishido, two key cities in the western army.
John Blackthorn was being showered with gifts, and he, Omi, and Nagakado were worried about it. This made him wonder Toranaga and if he should support Blackthorn. After losing control of the army, Yabushigi stepped down as commander. Along with the titles of Chief Admiral and General of the Cannon Regiment, John Blackthorn received 600 koku in payment for the services of the thief Nick Hanagawa.
Watching Toranaga’s army dwindle in strength as John’s plaudits grew, Yabushigi began to wonder if he was doing the right thing and if he was even on the right side. Outside of Osaka, we witnessed Father Martin Alfito wondering if they had sided with Toranaga, as we were on the subject of choosing sides.
He began to be perceived as an ally. The closure of Osaka Castle’s gates and the subsequent captivity of all regional families were the causes of this. Actually, this did take place; however, I will address that in the following part. But Toronaga has more pressing concerns, such the danger posed by Ishido and Lady Ochiba no Kata, while John Blackthorne opposes the Catholics and the Portuguese.
That being said, I can’t help but wonder whether Toronaga would seek out allies in the Osaka area. whether that happens, John Blackthorne is in for a wild ride, and I can’t wait to find out how everything plays out. That was quite a scene from The Hostages of Osaka. That was just awful. The scene of the burning bird, a symbol of freedom, lying lifeless on the ground perfectly encapsulated the chaos that had descended upon Osaka and its council.
Ishido kidnapped the regents and their families and held them captive within Osaka, preventing them from escaping… In doing so, he could verify their allegiance to him. It was likely on his mind as there was some debate about who should become the fifth regent in the previous episode; nevertheless, diplomatic reasoning was rendered moot when Ochiba declared that politics had its day.
The real-life version of this occurred, however with slightly different results. The historical character Ishida Mutsunari, upon whom Ishiro is based, seized Osaka Castle, the residence of the generals’ families, in an effort to coerce them either joining his cause or, failing that, into leaving him alone.
They risk harming their loved ones if they don’t. Actually, at this very moment, Tamako—the genuine person on whom Mariko was based—was killed in real life. According to the family legend, she should be killed at the first sign of danger, therefore the family retainer carried out the order to have her murdered.
Even though she was a devout Catholic, she refrained from doing seppuku out of guilt. Nonetheless, it was clear from the show that Mariko wasn’t present; she was in the east with Toranaga. Ishido, who had been a devoted servant to the taiko—and among the most devoted when he was alive—was now being tricked into doing what Lady Ochiba wanted him to do, and the scene seemed to be about demonstrating that she was in complete charge.
Any time I see Ishidor smile, it sends shivers down my spine. He may not be a monster in and of himself, but the smile he gave Sugiyama before he massacred him and his family in the woods is quite sinister. It betrayed no contrition; he had served with and been close to the regent, and he had so readily butchered him.
Now that Sugiyama’s death was fabricated, deceit is rampant inside the council. A breaking point has been reached in the council’s fragility due to the fabrication of threats to the heir. Despite Lady Ochiba’s authoritarianism, Ishido serves as both army commander and a brutal disciplinarian.
Oh, no. The quality is improving. An Orange Sky. It seemed that this idea was constantly put on the back burner, serving as a last resort for Torunaga and his closest associates. Indicative of Torunaga’s lack of faith in Yabushige, he was unaware of it. Under Torunaga’s command, the soldiers of the Crimson Sky prepare to launch a surprise assault on Osaka Castle, and if necessary, they will die with honour, according to the highest standards of valour.
Despite facing the death penalty, Torunaga is able to perceive the deceit that permeates the council. He has no choice but to truly fight Ishido and the West if he wants to continue living. His statement about his distaste for titles was unexpected and contrary to the Crimson Sky plot, which called for him to seize the castle, form a new government, and eventually become Shogun.
Therefore, I am curious as to whether that will alter with his arrival in Osaka with his troops. It is my sincere desire that the Battle of Sekigahara takes front stage in any cinematic adaptation of this story. Episode 9 is making me feel like a total nutjob. To me, it seems like it may be the fantastic penultimate episode, which is what all successful series do.
I felt like this episode was top-notch. All things political—both internal and external—were prominent in this. For example, Torinaga may deal with his clan’s members or Lady Ochiba may manipulate Ishidoh into betraying his former allies.
It was an unusual vibe, but one in which the focus was on suspense, discovering the nature of the danger, and laying the groundwork for the conflicts that will unfold in the show’s last episodes. Torunaga exhibits complete command and expertise in his treatment of John, which will have consequences for Nagakado, Omi, and Yabushigi. His actions, such as compelling Mariko to visit the courtesan alongside John and instructing Toda Buntaro to spend seven days apart from her, further demonstrate this.
His closest associates are familiar with him, and he uses psychological manipulation to keep them behaving in a certain way. His scenes at the beginning and finish, when he is publicly introduced, were my favourites. Everyone is on the edge of their seats as he commands the attention of those around him.
The screen captures the intensity, conviction, fortitude, and insight in his comments with remarkable clarity. Sugiyama deserves all the respect in the world, that is all. His bravery in standing up for his beliefs ultimately led to his death by sword. He didn’t fall for the council’s empty promises since he realised it was all an act by Lady Ochiba to control Ishido.
Tragically, though, as we can see from past events, those individuals do meet the vengeance of the wickedness that stands before them. The scene where Mariko, John Blackthorne, and Lady Kiku discussed the meaning of the Willow World and how people go there to escape their troubled lives was one of my favourite parts of the episode. Lady Kiku offered a perfect escape from reality, and people went there to do just that.
We saw Mariko’s profound care for John here. She failed to offer Lady Kiku a complement since she misunderstood his words. Plus, while she described the Willow World and translated her, she was escaping the misery of her past life. A part of her wished she could have been with John then, to forget the childhood trauma she had suffered as a result of her father’s behaviour.
The opening portion, which took place 22 years ago and showed Mariko’s past, was a fantastic way to set the tone for the episode. A constant source of his aggravation was his desire for change, which ultimately led him to take matters into his own hands, as we witnessed throughout the show. All through the episode, the shifts in time were smooth and natural, drawing you further into the world rather than pulling you away.
I really doubt this show will ever air an unsatisfactory episode. For the six episodes we’ve seen so far, it hasn’t let us down in the slightest. As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, I think these six episodes have been building up to the main event, so I’m going to make an effort to enjoy those three episodes.
Finally, the conclusion to Shogun Episode 6 has been explained. Go over to the channel if you want to watch each episode analysed, since I’ve been covering them all.