*SHOGUN Episode 3 Reaction & Review:* ua-cam.com/video/sXY08_bZWZk/v-deo.html Leave A *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* ua-cam.com/users/TheReelRejects - Support The Channel Here! *LIQUID IV* Visit www.liquidiv.com & use Promo Code: *REJECTS* *HARRYS:* Get $3 Trial Set At harrys.com/rejects - *Full Reaction* Watch Along & MORE For *SS* Rejects: www.patreon.com/thereelrejects
Hiroyuki Sanada isn’t just the lead actor he’s also one of the hands on producers on the show. He wanted an absolutely accurate depiction of 1600 Japan, so he brought on historians and experts in Japanese etiquette to make sure everything was absolutely perfect for that era. Plus, Hiroyuki is not only one of the best and most charismatic actors around but with his world class sword fighting and martial arts skills, he’s practically a samurai in real life. They literally couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.
@@thedarkknight2221 lol your post is about Hiroyuki and all the positive steps and measures he took to ensure the authenticity of the show in addition to his world class acting and martial art skills to which I acknowledged such as ‘king shit’ make sense?
To give you some historical context, this is set during the European religious wars. Catholic Spain and Portugal are at war with Protestant England and Holland. Blackthorn is an English Pilot sailing a Dutch flagged ship. Spain and Portugal were the first to discover the safe sailing route to the east and kept it secret giving them a trade monopoly. Before the Taiko's deaths, Japan invaded Korea but failed. This caused China to refuse trade with Japan. To get around this, the Portuguese act like middle men between Japan and China. Japans need for Chinese silk caused them to give some concessions to the Portuguese in the form of Missionaries and Churches. Not all Japanese leadership is favorable to the Christians especially because it brings loyalty into question. That's why Toranaga asked if Mariko would obey him or her God. Toranaga doesn't know exactly what Blackthorn can do, but he recognizes him as a variable that could change his situation, so he's interested to see what he's about. It's not the full context but should give you a better idea of what's going on. The queen was Elisabeth I
& Macao/ Macau is that Portuguese enclave in Southern China (near Hong Kong but of course the British have not made it a colony yet!) FASCINATINGLY TUMULTUOUS TIME ON THE PLANET!
And that line he spoke of is why they speak Portuguese in Brazil but Spanish in Mexico the line goes basically straight down the middle of South America
@@moshe759 Disagree. Littlefinger is willing to betray and backstab anyone in order to step up one rung higher on his "ladder". Plus, Littlefinger is more akin to Ishido in how his machevillian schemes are all in service to his love of Catelyn. I think Ned Stark is probably the closest analogue to Toranaga in GoT. But unlike Ned, Toranaga knows how to play the game and also understands why he is the best choice to become Shogun, or at least believes that he is.
I really liked Ishido's plotting in episode 2. I can see why hes the true threat amongst the Council Leaders because hes the only one besides Yoshii that isnt letting Religion get in the way of the bigger picture and him being the one behind John's Breakout by seeing this guy has some usefulness is a legitimately good move. Meanwhile,Yoshi is seeing how religion is being used to Colonize the world and him seeing the "the bigger picture" with Japans place amongst the entire globe at this point is also an amazing scene. I really love how they are showing how Religion is truly a sneakier way of Colonizing,its happening for legitimate Centuries and i like how this story doesnt hide their place in this conflict.
In fact, Nobunaga intended to aim for China after unifying the country, and Taiko Hideyoshi sent a fleet to the Philippines to containment Spain, so it is inconceivable that Toranaga, who was modeled after Ieyasu, would not know about world affairs. And Hideyoshi forbade Christian missionary work because he discovered a missionary's letter stating that in order to invade Japan, it would be impossible to invade Japan with military force and that it would be necessary to use religion.
37:39 - I just noticed the camera shows on the back of Lord Toranaga's robes is the crest of the Tokugawa clan - the "triple hollyhock" (I recognize it from a few samurai movies and manga that I have seen and read) just as our three protagonists, Toranaga, Blackthorne and Mariko, come together for the first time.
The current Osaka Castle is just a modern-day recreation, and the interior is not historical in style either. The original castle was destroyed multiple times in history. So it's interesting to see how this TV show portrays the castle as how it might have looked in the 1600's, not as white as the modern version, and they showed lots of interior scenes as well.
Came looking for this. Was wondering if you’d say it by name or not. Osakajō is part of one of my favorite Japanese phrases, 「口では大坂の城も建つ」- building Osaka Castle by talking… or “talk is cheap” 😂
For historical texts Charles Boxer is a good primer. His works are a bit out of date but they are easy to find. For fiction you may want Taiko, and Lady Gracia. There are a few Taiga dramas around this period. Samurai William is the biography for "Blackthorn".
For a general overview, Understanding Japan: A Cultural History on _The Great Courses_ is a solid resource (just wait for the constant sales). Otherwise, there's several great books on the Tokugawa Shōgunate era itself, which lasted for over 250 years. In contrast, Clavell - the author of Shogun - did admit that the book is heavily fictionalized, using events, characters, places, etc. to fit his story rather than remaining accurate. Not sure how much of that will bleed into the tv series.
28:00 the reef close to The Lizard peninsula the pilot refers to are known as The Manacles (Meyn Eglos), there are over 100 known shipwrecks in the area and the reef has claimed over 1000 souls.
17:05 One book I would recommend to understand how the Samurai saw life back then is: Hagakure (hidden under the leaves) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. It's a short book (maybe 130-140 pages), and it's commonly known as the way of the Samurai. Basically, it will allow you to understand the mind of a warrior, and it's very easy to read since it's written as a series of reflections on life and death. More historical books could be any book related to Tokugawa Ieyasu's shogunate and Dinasty (the Toranaga character is based in him), or if you want something more general, any books that cover the Sengoku and the Edo Jidai (Jidai means period) the Sengoku period will help you to understand how Japan came to the point you see on the show, and the Edo period to understand Tokugawa's family struggle to unify Japan and their Shogunate (everything will happen in the series is during the beginning of this period). As a plus, if you read about the Edo Jidai, you'll understand better movies like The Last Samurai or animes and live action movies like Samurai X. Both are set at the end of the Edo period, called the Meiji Restoration.
SUCH a satisfying watch, and each week's wait will be torture of the sweetest kind! Love how invested you both are in these characters, their motives, and all the technical expertise that have gone into creating this brilliant show! Every aspect of it is top notch - the acting, the costumes, the locations, the score, the direction - everything! SO glad you two are watching this along with us!
Jon Blackthrone actor gives me a mix of Robert Downey Sherlock Holmes, Johnny Depp Captian Jack, Tom Hardy & Arron Taylor Johnson all mixed into one human being 😅
"The man who's keeping everyone in check" is Lord Hiromatsu, patriarch of his own family clan, and a long-time staunchly loyal vassal to Yoshii Toranaga. Hiromatsu enjoys special Samurai status in the land, called "hatamoto". Hiromatsu is hatamoto to Lord Toranaga. Meaning Lord Toranaga designated him essentially as one of his 'champions', granted him special status, special fief/lands to rule over and profit by for his family line, and as a special token of absolute trust between Toranaga and any of his hatamoto, they are allowed and expected to bear arms in Toranaga's presence, and serve as his personal bodyguards and armsmen. We will learn a lot more about 'hatamoto' later, and you will run into other hatamoto throughout the story. As we learn the players in this historical game of thrones, we also learn their bannermen, the hatamoto.
Was wondering when you guys would start this, not giving away my age but I remember watching the series with Richard Chamberling and being in awe with the story and the characters.
i loved the original so much that i was hesitant to watch a "remake". but this show--sans the amazing theme music--is doing a much better job imho in laying out the historical context. the original was centered more around the romantic relationship and making toranaga more of an enigma. here, he is clearly the protagonist.
Reading about Christianity expansion to Japan is interesting! The movie 'Silence' also touches base on the aftermath of the historical outcome of this series. Reading about Tokugawa Ieyasu and William Adams also gives a lot of insight to this series since every major character has an actual historical counterpart.
oh oh another thing that's really interesting I read on Wiki! (I'd love to find more resources) but I highly suggest reading about "Hidden Christians" in Japan and where they are today. Their practices today VS when they went into hiding is ABSOLUTELY fascinating to consider!
The first two episodes were excellent. Beautiful cinematography and great acting. It was hard to keep some of the names straight at first but by the second episode it was no problem. Looking forward to the remaining 8 episodes.
I can already tell, MVP of the season, the Spaniard. if you have a Spaniard in your team who's always pissed off at everything, you know he's a solid bro.
I've read the book 7-8 times. It's a perfect dramatization of how Togugawa Ieyasu manipulated everyone into a final battle at Sekigahara where during 8h 50 000 samurai died and he became Shogun. A title his family kept until the Mejji restoration depicted in "The last samurai". (In Clavell's book Toranaga Yoshi is Tokugawa Ieyasu. In Japanese they always put the family name first) Incidentally, the most famous swordsman in the history of Japan, Miyamoto Musashi fought against Tokugawa at Sekigahara, but escaped with his life. Musashi was not a samurai, so "Miyamoto" is the village where he was born.
Like Andor this show shows us the importance of real sets, costumes, and camerawork. It gives actors something to act within and against. Craft maters - it creates a sense of reality Love this show
This show is SO good. Best I have seen in ages. The writing and the production is unbelievable. It respects the viewer, shows historical accuracy to a pretty high degree and it is so very well done.
Please, they explain every single thing at least twice. And they made every single european language be English. It doesn't respect the viewer. It thinks you aren't very smart.
@@kassiogomes8498 It's much better written than most any show out there. It portrays cultural differences well, and you do not have to look very far to find more than a half dozen historical fictions completely dismissing everything remotely historically accurate. And, I should not have to be explaining to you why the Portuguese parts are in English and not Japanese, so I won't bother.
@@ericsaari2901 I know why it's in English: Because it's an American tv show. They have to pander to an american audience. That's why. If this was a Japanese tv show, it certainly wouldn't be in English. Again, the writing isn't good. They have a whole scene where they explain their plan before it happened, so some viewers don't get lost. Hilarious.
45:26 That hairstyle is called "tonsure", and many orders of monks wore it as a sign of humility and devotion. Saint Germanus I, the (Eastern Orthodox) Patriarch of Constantinople wrote that it represents the crown of Saint Peter.
Saint Germanus I lived long before the Great Schism. Eastern orthodoxy did not exist at that time. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches were part of one, unified Church before the schism. Saint Germanus was simply a *Christian* patriarch.
No, Mariko is not the "in law" that Ishido was talking about. Lady Ochiba is the young Heir's mother and widow of the late Taiko. The Taiko also had a sister, Ochiba's sister in law, who was pregnant, and is Toranaga's wife. The Regents had an issue with Ochiba being a compelled "guest" in Toranaga's castle in Edo (modern Tokyo). Toranaga is the Heir's guardian. Toranaga's majordomo (basically like his Chief of Staff) is Toda Hiromatsu (the older guy that showed up and confiscated the barbarian ship in Toranaga's name). (In japanese naming, it's surname first, so Toda is the family name.) Hiromatsu's daughter Fuji is the one who was married to the guy who spoke out of turn. Hiromatsu also has a son, to whom Mariko is married. So she is Toda Mariko. This makes Mariko and Fuji sisters in law. This isnt Ochiba's sister in law. So there is the Heir's family, Toranaga, the other 4 Regents including Ishido, the Toda family, Yushibage (the scheming lord of Izu province), and Omi (he wasnt named, the "mayor" of Anjiro, the village Blackthorne washed up in). Mariko is Christian, as are 2 of the Regents, as well as many peasants unhappy with their station in the feudal system. Mariko is married to a samurai, and is herself a samurai. Samurai are the vassals, the lords of lands and servants to the rulers. Anyone you see carrying a weapon and acting like a boss are either samurai or rulers (like Ishido amd Toranaga). Every Regent wants to be Shogun and reject the fact that the next Taiko (emperor, basically) will come of age and lead, and if Toranaga could be disposed of, offing the Heir would be light work. And into the middle of this, enter Blackthorne, an enemy to the Portuguese (which Toranaga destrusts) and an enemy to the Catholics (which Toranaga has no use for and can use to manipulate the 2 Christian Regents). Toranaga is in a delicate position, a tightrope walk over a deadly trap, and Blackthorne, or rather what he represents, just became his pocket Ace. England and Netherlands are friends, and are enemies of Portugal adnd Spain. Portugal has laid claim to Japan and China, and all the priests are Jesuits (a Catholic sect) from Portugal. England at this time are mostly protestant, thanks to Henry VIII's English Reformation, and are enemies of the Catholics such as Portugal. Blackthorne is English, but the rest of the Erasmus's crew.and the ship itself are Dutch. They stole a Spanish rutter (navigation journal) that detailed the closely guarded secrets of Magellan's Strait. That alone would get them executed by the Portuguese or Spanish.
That back and forth between Toranaga and lady Kiri is one of my favourite scenes for sure. The whole show hinges on us not knowing what he's thinking, which is why it was so important to include a scene like this to humanize him.
They are doing "Show, don't tell" to establish that Blackthorne is a polyglot. Whenever he is speaking to someone, the viewer "hears" English to show he understands the language. With the captain and crew of the Erasmus, he is speaking with them in Dutch. With Rodrigo he is probably speaking both Spanish and Portuguese, since as a "contract" pilot for the Portuguese, Rodrigo would speak his native Spanish, and Portuguese. With the priests and the Christian Japanese, he is speaking Portuguese. That is why we "understand" what is being said. Because Blackthorne is the audience surrogate and we "understand" what he understands. He does not, as of the beginning, speak Japanese. Thus the Japanese being spoken and the subtitles. In the Richard Chamberlain mini-series, I do not think there WERE Japanese subtitles. So, we literally knew just what Blackthorne knew. As shown in even the first episode, he starts picking up Japanese, as well. He is a polyglot, as I said.
the 80's mini series is what got me into Japanese culture, this version is so much more its so good and im captured no matter how many times i re-watch
Highly recommed taking a look at the "backstory and history" FX did going over the attention to detail in everything. All the way down to the gestures they make.
i don't really know how to quantify a good reaction or not so cant comment on that, but GREAT, great breakdown. that's what people watch these YT videos for
Shogun is a fictional story with fictional characters but based heavily on the events of the period. The Taiko who just passed away, leaving his child heir, is a fictional version of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of the most famous rulers of Japan. The legendary bandit Goemon (essentially the Japanese Robin Hood) was executed, along with his child son, for trying to assassinate Toyotomi. The method of execution chosen was boiling them alive in a giant cauldron. His execution would have been about 6 years prior to the TV show so fits the era, particularly as a 'special' method as it was definitely not commonplace. Beheading was the most usual form of execution while crucifixion gained some popularity around this time also.
Hiroyuki Sanada said if you want me to be part of this he had one stipulation and that is to hire Japanese actors and so agree with him. He is the producer as well on this show.
The writing in this show is next level. The way Toranaga sets up the assassin kill is so well done. It's exactly like his monologue about how the falcon hunts in episode 1. I'm not sure, but attacking a guest under someone else's protection is a pretty big no-no in most cultures back then. This is probably exactly what he wanted from the second he met face to face with John. This gives him an excuse to go to war without being the first one to strike.
I remember watching the original TV mini series back in 1980 when I was in my early teens. It's interesting to think back to 1980 - Japanese and Asian culture wasn't NEARLY as prevalent in American culture as it is today. No J-pop music or manga (it's crazy to see the size of the Manga section at Barnes and Noble today!)...I think the only anime on TV might have been Star Blazers and Battle of the Planets. The first manga I remember being translated to English was Lone Wolf and Cub which didn't happen until 1987. Haha - the word "ninja" was new to Americans back then and now I have a "Ninja" blender in my kitchen.
If you'd like to see a depiction of this era in Japan from the Catholic perspective, then I recommend the Shusaka Endo book "Silence" or its fantastic film adaptation by Martin Scorsese. It takes place later in the 1600s when Christianity has been outlawed and is an interesting exploration of the integration (failed or otherwise) of Western religion into Japanese culture.
Thank you for reacting to this series, I love it and I'm looking forward to your reactions. Btw, if you haven't recognized, Lord Yabushige played Hogun in the 3 Thor movies. He was also in 47 Ronin, Battleship to name few Hollywood movies he is in, but he is a well established actor in Japan like Sanada. I also suggest you check out the original Japanese movie The Ring (Ringu), if wanna see a young Sanada.
Yup, I mentioned in Episode 3 he was Hogun in Thor. Thank you for pointing it out though, appreciate it. It was bugging me both episodes because he looked so familiar lol
@@andrewgordon7662 Glad I could help. He basically looked like his character Hogun in this series, just sporting a more cool and badass armor. Hogun = Shogun 🤯😆
I love this mini-series!! I watched the series back in 70's I like the fact they did their diligence. From the way their costumes to the hairstyle. I love this mini-series. When done right it will draw you in. This is becoming a thing of the past. It gives you hope that there be more. Wishing you many blessings.
In regards to the boiling alive: As far as I know, it is not a historical norm of 1600's Japan. However, in the original novel, Kashigi Yabu (in this adaptation is known as Kashigi Yabushige) is an exceptionally cruel man, so many of the actions in Ajiro are representative of his cruelty and not of Japanese people as a whole.
One thing to also remember from this show about the conflict with the catholics and the prostistens are that this is one of the precursers to the Thirty years war that i also wish We could see on the big screen or a tv drama
Shōgun is a similar story to “Hero,” 英雄, Yīngxióng (2002), with Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and Zhang Zhiyi: A warlord ruthlessly spends lives to conquer enemies and unify a country in a quest for order and peace. They go about it in different ways…
To editor: continuous close-ups are quite disturbing to the flow, like consecutive in a short time like 54:00 Either keep the frame as it is or zoom in less Problems are not their insights, I like those but close-ups just for 'ah', 'oh', 'hmm' and all I really wanted to see all the episodes but I can't watch constant zoom-ins, I have to give up on the reactions )-;
As someone who's watching this outside of the US, so it's on Disney+ not on FX or Hulu, I much prefer the style of the subtitles you guys get compared to what I see on Disney +.
Yes, it's a very iconic castle structure, yes. 59:44 "ora ha inu jya" today using "ora" would mark you as someone from the north on the main island, I guess. Goku from Dragon Ball uses it as his first person pronoun so the viewer understands that he's from out in the sticks.
I am Capeverdean and my country was a portuguese colony as well. We have a lot of similarities with a dialet from Macau. I wish the portuguese in this show were actual portuguese actors speaking portuguese, just for realism's sake, but the show is still very good.
The book is amazing and so far pretty accurate to the book. We spend more time with the ship, then the shipmate in the pit, and with Yabu. You get to really appreciate Blackthorn's revelations and character development in the book. I think the book also allows you to really appreciate Torinaga's 3D chess playing. Omg. This show is amazing.
Ha! Ha! How right and how wrong you were about castle terminology! In European castles, the “donjon”’is the central keep, or tower. Much like ‘dojo.’ You know more than you think you do. Be kind with yourselves, and with each other. In Japan the innermost ring of fortifications was the ‘Honmaru.’ Anyway, for another view of how the Spanish and the Portuguese carved up the world, take a look at “The Mission” (1986?) starring Jeremy Irons, Robert (excuse me, effing) DeNiro, Aidan Quinn (who should have had a huge career) and with a very brief appearance by a young Liam Neeson.
Historical resources leading up to and about this era: Taming of the Samurai by Eiko Ikegami Samurai William by Giles Milton Warrior Rule in Japan Edited by Marius Jansen
*SHOGUN Episode 3 Reaction & Review:* ua-cam.com/video/sXY08_bZWZk/v-deo.html
Leave A *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* ua-cam.com/users/TheReelRejects
- Support The Channel Here! *LIQUID IV* Visit www.liquidiv.com & use Promo Code: *REJECTS*
*HARRYS:* Get $3 Trial Set At harrys.com/rejects
- *Full Reaction* Watch Along & MORE For *SS* Rejects: www.patreon.com/thereelrejects
I'm both impressed and ashamed (as an asian) that John recognized Takehiro Hira, even with his bald head, and I didn't.
Hiroyuki Sanada isn’t just the lead actor he’s also one of the hands on producers on the show. He wanted an absolutely accurate depiction of 1600 Japan, so he brought on historians and experts in Japanese etiquette to make sure everything was absolutely perfect for that era.
Plus, Hiroyuki is not only one of the best and most charismatic actors around but with his world class sword fighting and martial arts skills, he’s practically a samurai in real life. They literally couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.
King shit
@@Tac0maAr0ma ?
@@thedarkknight2221 yes?
@@Tac0maAr0ma what does that mean, king shit? And who are you referring to?
@@thedarkknight2221 lol your post is about Hiroyuki and all the positive steps and measures he took to ensure the authenticity of the show in addition to his world class acting and martial art skills to which I acknowledged such as ‘king shit’ make sense?
To give you some historical context, this is set during the European religious wars. Catholic Spain and Portugal are at war with Protestant England and Holland. Blackthorn is an English Pilot sailing a Dutch flagged ship.
Spain and Portugal were the first to discover the safe sailing route to the east and kept it secret giving them a trade monopoly.
Before the Taiko's deaths, Japan invaded Korea but failed. This caused China to refuse trade with Japan. To get around this, the Portuguese act like middle men between Japan and China.
Japans need for Chinese silk caused them to give some concessions to the Portuguese in the form of Missionaries and Churches.
Not all Japanese leadership is favorable to the Christians especially because it brings loyalty into question. That's why Toranaga asked if Mariko would obey him or her God.
Toranaga doesn't know exactly what Blackthorn can do, but he recognizes him as a variable that could change his situation, so he's interested to see what he's about.
It's not the full context but should give you a better idea of what's going on.
The queen was Elisabeth I
& Macao/ Macau is that Portuguese enclave in Southern China (near Hong Kong but of course the British have not made it a colony yet!) FASCINATINGLY TUMULTUOUS TIME ON THE PLANET!
Thanks
big Liz
love how the name of the first episode is Anjin, aka the pilot episode
Aka the pilot. Blackthorne
And that line he spoke of is why they speak Portuguese in Brazil but Spanish in Mexico the line goes basically straight down the middle of South America
That little baby better get an Oscar nomination. He was on point! 😭
future actor in his very first role and he killed it. 🙂
I was wondering. When a samurai commits a seppuku, including his kids (all who carry his name), how do they kill the kids, though?
@@hazri8758it’s just the males and boys because they are the ones that continue the bloodline of the family
@@chikushodiz91 well yeah that's what I mean. What I was asking is the method of killing them. They just behead the child too?
@@hazri8758I assume so, after the father, assumably also, slices open his child's stomach and his own
Toranaga is like Ned Stark if Ned Stark was good at politics.
Nope.
very true
More like little finger if he was a warrior
@@moshe759 Disagree. Littlefinger is willing to betray and backstab anyone in order to step up one rung higher on his "ladder". Plus, Littlefinger is more akin to Ishido in how his machevillian schemes are all in service to his love of Catelyn.
I think Ned Stark is probably the closest analogue to Toranaga in GoT. But unlike Ned, Toranaga knows how to play the game and also understands why he is the best choice to become Shogun, or at least believes that he is.
Not good.....
EXCEPTIONAL
I really liked Ishido's plotting in episode 2. I can see why hes the true threat amongst the Council Leaders because hes the only one besides Yoshii that isnt letting Religion get in the way of the bigger picture and him being the one behind John's Breakout by seeing this guy has some usefulness is a legitimately good move.
Meanwhile,Yoshi is seeing how religion is being used to Colonize the world and him seeing the "the bigger picture" with Japans place amongst the entire globe at this point is also an amazing scene.
I really love how they are showing how Religion is truly a sneakier way of Colonizing,its happening for legitimate Centuries and i like how this story doesnt hide their place in this conflict.
In fact, Nobunaga intended to aim for China after unifying the country, and Taiko Hideyoshi sent a fleet to the Philippines to containment Spain, so it is inconceivable that Toranaga, who was modeled after Ieyasu, would not know about world affairs.
And Hideyoshi forbade Christian missionary work because he discovered a missionary's letter stating that in order to invade Japan, it would be impossible to invade Japan with military force and that it would be necessary to use religion.
In Europe, bathing was communal which led to spreading of disease. So the common thought was bathing led to disease as opposed to the communal part.
Japan also had communal baths, but simply had better hygiene and pretty much endless fresh water
8:24 That's a falcon. See that dive @ 7:56? That's how that falcon catches prey which Torunaga also described in this scene.
37:39 - I just noticed the camera shows on the back of Lord Toranaga's robes is the crest of the Tokugawa clan - the "triple hollyhock" (I recognize it from a few samurai movies and manga that I have seen and read) just as our three protagonists, Toranaga, Blackthorne and Mariko, come together for the first time.
Yes Toranaga was based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, Jhon is William adam and Mariko is Hasokawa Gracia, the book shogun was inspired by real history
The second episode at the beginning the building is Osaka castle that is still there today, I live in Japan and see it, it is amazing
I came looking for this comment!👍
The current Osaka Castle is just a modern-day recreation, and the interior is not historical in style either. The original castle was destroyed multiple times in history. So it's interesting to see how this TV show portrays the castle as how it might have looked in the 1600's, not as white as the modern version, and they showed lots of interior scenes as well.
Came looking for this. Was wondering if you’d say it by name or not.
Osakajō is part of one of my favorite Japanese phrases, 「口では大坂の城も建つ」- building Osaka Castle by talking… or “talk is cheap” 😂
Did you know anything about the actual history going into this?? Recommend us some resources!!
Basic wikipedia is actually quite good on this. Will Adams and Ieyasu Tokugawa.
Events before the battle of sekigahara I believe
Ya know Japan is watching and they will pick this apart or celebrate it. Depending ....
For historical texts Charles Boxer is a good primer. His works are a bit out of date but they are easy to find.
For fiction you may want Taiko, and Lady Gracia.
There are a few Taiga dramas around this period.
Samurai William is the biography for "Blackthorn".
For a general overview, Understanding Japan: A Cultural History on _The Great Courses_ is a solid resource (just wait for the constant sales). Otherwise, there's several great books on the Tokugawa Shōgunate era itself, which lasted for over 250 years. In contrast, Clavell - the author of Shogun - did admit that the book is heavily fictionalized, using events, characters, places, etc. to fit his story rather than remaining accurate. Not sure how much of that will bleed into the tv series.
Cosmo the guy that plays John Blackthorne gives me Tom Hardy vibes and im here for it. haha
The whole time I’m like “wait, they got Tom Hardy for this?!”
The first time he spoke in episode 1, I thought he sounded like Tom Hardy
He was on this show called Persuasion.. That'd where I first saw him
28:00 the reef close to The Lizard peninsula the pilot refers to are known as The Manacles (Meyn Eglos), there are over 100 known shipwrecks in the area and the reef has claimed over 1000 souls.
17:05 One book I would recommend to understand how the Samurai saw life back then is: Hagakure (hidden under the leaves) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. It's a short book (maybe 130-140 pages), and it's commonly known as the way of the Samurai. Basically, it will allow you to understand the mind of a warrior, and it's very easy to read since it's written as a series of reflections on life and death. More historical books could be any book related to Tokugawa Ieyasu's shogunate and Dinasty (the Toranaga character is based in him), or if you want something more general, any books that cover the Sengoku and the Edo Jidai (Jidai means period) the Sengoku period will help you to understand how Japan came to the point you see on the show, and the Edo period to understand Tokugawa's family struggle to unify Japan and their Shogunate (everything will happen in the series is during the beginning of this period). As a plus, if you read about the Edo Jidai, you'll understand better movies like The Last Samurai or animes and live action movies like Samurai X. Both are set at the end of the Edo period, called the Meiji Restoration.
SUCH a satisfying watch, and each week's wait will be torture of the sweetest kind! Love how invested you both are in these characters, their motives, and all the technical expertise that have gone into creating this brilliant show! Every aspect of it is top notch - the acting, the costumes, the locations, the score, the direction - everything! SO glad you two are watching this along with us!
Jon Blackthrone actor gives me a mix of Robert Downey Sherlock Holmes, Johnny Depp Captian Jack, Tom Hardy & Arron Taylor Johnson all mixed into one human being 😅
Always reminds me of Tom hardy
His voice reminds me of Richard Burton
Man this show is a lot better than I expected!
"The man who's keeping everyone in check" is Lord Hiromatsu, patriarch of his own family clan, and a long-time staunchly loyal vassal to Yoshii Toranaga. Hiromatsu enjoys special Samurai status in the land, called "hatamoto". Hiromatsu is hatamoto to Lord Toranaga. Meaning Lord Toranaga designated him essentially as one of his 'champions', granted him special status, special fief/lands to rule over and profit by for his family line, and as a special token of absolute trust between Toranaga and any of his hatamoto, they are allowed and expected to bear arms in Toranaga's presence, and serve as his personal bodyguards and armsmen.
We will learn a lot more about 'hatamoto' later, and you will run into other hatamoto throughout the story. As we learn the players in this historical game of thrones, we also learn their bannermen, the hatamoto.
Would the closest English word be a retainer? I've heard it used that way.
Love these two together; very analytical!
Was wondering when you guys would start this, not giving away my age but I remember watching the series with Richard Chamberling and being in awe with the story and the characters.
Same here!
i loved the original so much that i was hesitant to watch a "remake". but this show--sans the amazing theme music--is doing a much better job imho in laying out the historical context. the original was centered more around the romantic relationship and making toranaga more of an enigma. here, he is clearly the protagonist.
Yes! I even DM’d Greg as though he was my bestie asking him to watch this! Thanks RR
That’s just sad
Sounds like someone is jealous of Gregg and I…
@@richardroberts1503 brotha…..what? Of course your weird ass would insinuate that.
@@richardroberts1503…
Reading about Christianity expansion to Japan is interesting! The movie 'Silence' also touches base on the aftermath of the historical outcome of this series.
Reading about Tokugawa Ieyasu and William Adams also gives a lot of insight to this series since every major character has an actual historical counterpart.
oh oh another thing that's really interesting I read on Wiki! (I'd love to find more resources) but I highly suggest reading about "Hidden Christians" in Japan and where they are today. Their practices today VS when they went into hiding is ABSOLUTELY fascinating to consider!
The first two episodes were excellent. Beautiful cinematography and great acting. It was hard to keep some of the names straight at first but by the second episode it was no problem. Looking forward to the remaining 8 episodes.
John and Andrew is always such a great reaction combo and John's curiosity especially makes this a delight
Getting Americans to read subtitles for so much of every episode is proof how special this show is.
Best show I've seen in a very long time.
I can already tell, MVP of the season, the Spaniard.
if you have a Spaniard in your team who's always pissed off at everything, you know he's a solid bro.
Watched it yesterday. It was sooo good!
I've read the book 7-8 times. It's a perfect dramatization of how Togugawa Ieyasu manipulated everyone into a final battle at Sekigahara where during 8h 50 000 samurai died and he became Shogun. A title his family kept until the Mejji restoration depicted in "The last samurai". (In Clavell's book Toranaga Yoshi is Tokugawa Ieyasu. In Japanese they always put the family name first) Incidentally, the most famous swordsman in the history of Japan, Miyamoto Musashi fought against Tokugawa at Sekigahara, but escaped with his life. Musashi was not a samurai, so "Miyamoto" is the village where he was born.
Like Andor this show shows us the importance of real sets, costumes, and camerawork. It gives actors something to act within and against.
Craft maters - it creates a sense of reality
Love this show
This show is SO good. Best I have seen in ages. The writing and the production is unbelievable. It respects the viewer, shows historical accuracy to a pretty high degree and it is so very well done.
Please, they explain every single thing at least twice. And they made every single european language be English. It doesn't respect the viewer. It thinks you aren't very smart.
@@kassiogomes8498 It's much better written than most any show out there. It portrays cultural differences well, and you do not have to look very far to find more than a half dozen historical fictions completely dismissing everything remotely historically accurate. And, I should not have to be explaining to you why the Portuguese parts are in English and not Japanese, so I won't bother.
@@ericsaari2901 I know why it's in English: Because it's an American tv show. They have to pander to an american audience. That's why. If this was a Japanese tv show, it certainly wouldn't be in English.
Again, the writing isn't good. They have a whole scene where they explain their plan before it happened, so some viewers don't get lost. Hilarious.
@@kassiogomes8498 Ypu're wrong.
45:26 That hairstyle is called "tonsure", and many orders of monks wore it as a sign of humility and devotion. Saint Germanus I, the (Eastern Orthodox) Patriarch of Constantinople wrote that it represents the crown of Saint Peter.
Saint Germanus I lived long before the Great Schism. Eastern orthodoxy did not exist at that time. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches were part of one, unified Church before the schism. Saint Germanus was simply a *Christian* patriarch.
Sooo happy you guys are doing this show. Love, love, love the book; and thus far loving the show to. It's beautifully shot. 👏👏👏
No, Mariko is not the "in law" that Ishido was talking about.
Lady Ochiba is the young Heir's mother and widow of the late Taiko.
The Taiko also had a sister, Ochiba's sister in law, who was pregnant, and is Toranaga's wife. The Regents had an issue with Ochiba being a compelled "guest" in Toranaga's castle in Edo (modern Tokyo).
Toranaga is the Heir's guardian.
Toranaga's majordomo (basically like his Chief of Staff) is Toda Hiromatsu (the older guy that showed up and confiscated the barbarian ship in Toranaga's name). (In japanese naming, it's surname first, so Toda is the family name.)
Hiromatsu's daughter Fuji is the one who was married to the guy who spoke out of turn.
Hiromatsu also has a son, to whom Mariko is married. So she is Toda Mariko. This makes Mariko and Fuji sisters in law.
This isnt Ochiba's sister in law.
So there is the Heir's family, Toranaga, the other 4 Regents including Ishido, the Toda family, Yushibage (the scheming lord of Izu province), and Omi (he wasnt named, the "mayor" of Anjiro, the village Blackthorne washed up in).
Mariko is Christian, as are 2 of the Regents, as well as many peasants unhappy with their station in the feudal system. Mariko is married to a samurai, and is herself a samurai. Samurai are the vassals, the lords of lands and servants to the rulers. Anyone you see carrying a weapon and acting like a boss are either samurai or rulers (like Ishido amd Toranaga).
Every Regent wants to be Shogun and reject the fact that the next Taiko (emperor, basically) will come of age and lead, and if Toranaga could be disposed of, offing the Heir would be light work.
And into the middle of this, enter Blackthorne, an enemy to the Portuguese (which Toranaga destrusts) and an enemy to the Catholics (which Toranaga has no use for and can use to manipulate the 2 Christian Regents). Toranaga is in a delicate position, a tightrope walk over a deadly trap, and Blackthorne, or rather what he represents, just became his pocket Ace.
England and Netherlands are friends, and are enemies of Portugal adnd Spain. Portugal has laid claim to Japan and China, and all the priests are Jesuits (a Catholic sect) from Portugal. England at this time are mostly protestant, thanks to Henry VIII's English Reformation, and are enemies of the Catholics such as Portugal.
Blackthorne is English, but the rest of the Erasmus's crew.and the ship itself are Dutch. They stole a Spanish rutter (navigation journal) that detailed the closely guarded secrets of Magellan's Strait. That alone would get them executed by the Portuguese or Spanish.
Shocked no one mentioned how Hashigi Yabushige actor was Hogun from the Thor movies. He was in 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves and Hiroyuki Sanada as well.
That back and forth between Toranaga and lady Kiri is one of my favourite scenes for sure. The whole show hinges on us not knowing what he's thinking, which is why it was so important to include a scene like this to humanize him.
Was hoping you guys would do this
They are doing "Show, don't tell" to establish that Blackthorne is a polyglot.
Whenever he is speaking to someone, the viewer "hears" English to show he understands the language.
With the captain and crew of the Erasmus, he is speaking with them in Dutch.
With Rodrigo he is probably speaking both Spanish and Portuguese, since as a "contract" pilot for the Portuguese, Rodrigo would speak his native Spanish, and Portuguese.
With the priests and the Christian Japanese, he is speaking Portuguese.
That is why we "understand" what is being said. Because Blackthorne is the audience surrogate and we "understand" what he understands.
He does not, as of the beginning, speak Japanese. Thus the Japanese being spoken and the subtitles. In the Richard Chamberlain mini-series, I do not think there WERE Japanese subtitles. So, we literally knew just what Blackthorne knew.
As shown in even the first episode, he starts picking up Japanese, as well. He is a polyglot, as I said.
That building in the title sequence is Osaka Castle. It was the seat of power at the time.
Glad to see so many people reacting to the series and loving it
the 80's mini series is what got me into Japanese culture, this version is so much more its so good and im captured no matter how many times i re-watch
Don't rely on the Japanese you hear to "pick up" the language... they are speaking era-appropriate language...
Looking forward to the History lessons as much as I am looking forward to the character work and plot!
This show is amazing
The lead character actor is giving off Viggo Mortensen vibes, but that's a good thing, a compliment may be, as Aragorn had great charisma ☺
With a touch of Richard Burton in his voice.
Also Tom hardy vibes!!
@@timothybanks9387 that is the most popular and obvious answer, but he looks more subtle (which is ironic because he yells a lot) than tom hardy
Highly recommed taking a look at the "backstory and history" FX did going over the attention to detail in everything. All the way down to the gestures they make.
1:05:50 this is what they called a kunoichi. In popular modern media, this term is used as an anaolgue for "female ninja"
Guy on thr left is reminding me of the wet bandits. 😂 great video
i don't really know how to quantify a good reaction or not so cant comment on that, but GREAT, great breakdown. that's what people watch these YT videos for
THANKS for this!!!!
I like how everyone says that Shogun is like GoT, then Shogun was writen way before that another piece of...
watched it when it came out and omg i was hooked instantly
Can’t wait for episode 3 tonight!
Great Reaction John and Andrew! This show is so great! 👍
Shogun is a fictional story with fictional characters but based heavily on the events of the period. The Taiko who just passed away, leaving his child heir, is a fictional version of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of the most famous rulers of Japan. The legendary bandit Goemon (essentially the Japanese Robin Hood) was executed, along with his child son, for trying to assassinate Toyotomi. The method of execution chosen was boiling them alive in a giant cauldron. His execution would have been about 6 years prior to the TV show so fits the era, particularly as a 'special' method as it was definitely not commonplace. Beheading was the most usual form of execution while crucifixion gained some popularity around this time also.
Hiroyuki Sanada said if you want me to be part of this he had one stipulation and that is to hire Japanese actors and so agree with him. He is the producer as well on this show.
He should have made them hire actor who could speak Portuguese
@@kassiogomes8498 Hiring capable actors that can speak both Japanese and Portuguese? I think the list is probably tiny lol.
The writing in this show is next level. The way Toranaga sets up the assassin kill is so well done. It's exactly like his monologue about how the falcon hunts in episode 1. I'm not sure, but attacking a guest under someone else's protection is a pretty big no-no in most cultures back then. This is probably exactly what he wanted from the second he met face to face with John. This gives him an excuse to go to war without being the first one to strike.
I remember watching the original TV mini series back in 1980 when I was in my early teens. It's interesting to think back to 1980 - Japanese and Asian culture wasn't NEARLY as prevalent in American culture as it is today. No J-pop music or manga (it's crazy to see the size of the Manga section at Barnes and Noble today!)...I think the only anime on TV might have been Star Blazers and Battle of the Planets. The first manga I remember being translated to English was Lone Wolf and Cub which didn't happen until 1987. Haha - the word "ninja" was new to Americans back then and now I have a "Ninja" blender in my kitchen.
Love the editing on this video
If you'd like to see a depiction of this era in Japan from the Catholic perspective, then I recommend the Shusaka Endo book "Silence" or its fantastic film adaptation by Martin Scorsese. It takes place later in the 1600s when Christianity has been outlawed and is an interesting exploration of the integration (failed or otherwise) of Western religion into Japanese culture.
Here is one for you John the great wall of china was built to keep in not out if you look at the design the archer places are facing in the way.
Was waiting for this
The cinematography in this show so far has been 🤌🏽
Thank you for reacting to this series, I love it and I'm looking forward to your reactions. Btw, if you haven't recognized, Lord Yabushige played Hogun in the 3 Thor movies. He was also in 47 Ronin, Battleship to name few Hollywood movies he is in, but he is a well established actor in Japan like Sanada. I also suggest you check out the original Japanese movie The Ring (Ringu), if wanna see a young Sanada.
Yup, I mentioned in Episode 3 he was Hogun in Thor. Thank you for pointing it out though, appreciate it. It was bugging me both episodes because he looked so familiar lol
@@andrewgordon7662 Glad I can help 😊 His name is Tadanobu Asano and he is in some of Takashii Mike's films as well.
@@andrewgordon7662 Glad I could help. He basically looked like his character Hogun in this series, just sporting a more cool and badass armor. Hogun = Shogun 🤯😆
A great reaction to a great show
First thing I've seen Cosmo Jarvis in and dude gives off huge Tom Hardy energy with this role.
0:28 good call-back.-Ernie Moore Jr.
how did i miss you guys uploading this masterpiece of a show?! HELL YE
I love this mini-series!! I watched the series back in 70's I like the fact they did their diligence. From the way their costumes to the hairstyle. I love this mini-series. When done right it will draw you in. This is becoming a thing of the past. It gives you hope that there be more. Wishing you many blessings.
1980
What are you talking about. We are in the gold age of television. A lot of shows are incredible and are done perfectly.
In regards to the boiling alive: As far as I know, it is not a historical norm of 1600's Japan. However, in the original novel, Kashigi Yabu (in this adaptation is known as Kashigi Yabushige) is an exceptionally cruel man, so many of the actions in Ajiro are representative of his cruelty and not of Japanese people as a whole.
Anyone wondering "The Flux" refers to Dysentery.
Nestor was also the rich guy that Jules dated for a bit in Psych.
One thing to also remember from this show about the conflict with the catholics and the prostistens are that this is one of the precursers to the Thirty years war that i also wish We could see on the big screen or a tv drama
Shōgun is incredible!
Shōgun is a similar story to “Hero,” 英雄, Yīngxióng (2002), with Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and Zhang Zhiyi: A warlord ruthlessly spends lives to conquer enemies and unify a country in a quest for order and peace.
They go about it in different ways…
Oh shiiiiid. I didn't expect to see Cosmo Jarvis in this! Let's goooooo.
To editor: continuous close-ups are quite disturbing to the flow, like consecutive in a short time like 54:00
Either keep the frame as it is or zoom in less
Problems are not their insights, I like those but close-ups just for 'ah', 'oh', 'hmm' and all
I really wanted to see all the episodes but I can't watch constant zoom-ins, I have to give up on the reactions )-;
Shogun was one of the best books I've ever read. Taipan was damned good, too!
As someone who's watching this outside of the US, so it's on Disney+ not on FX or Hulu, I much prefer the style of the subtitles you guys get compared to what I see on Disney +.
The sand is a zen garden. The ship is the disruption of its structure, and in essence… peace.
The question… whose ship?
What a great show. That man getting boiled alive will mess me up for a long time, though.
真田広之はイケおじすぎるけど、2人も負けず劣らずイケおじ…
眼福でございます
John dressed like he's living in the Arctic
Yes, it's a very iconic castle structure, yes.
59:44 "ora ha inu jya" today using "ora" would mark you as someone from the north on the main island, I guess. Goku from Dragon Ball uses it as his first person pronoun so the viewer understands that he's from out in the sticks.
We got Shogun and Dune Part 2. Good times.
Peregrine Falcon, I assumed, one of falconry's easiest birds to train... & a 200+ mph stoop.
20:40 I love how you decided to censor Papist. Guess you don't like Catholics, huh?
I am Capeverdean and my country was a portuguese colony as well. We have a lot of similarities with a dialet from Macau. I wish the portuguese in this show were actual portuguese actors speaking portuguese, just for realism's sake, but the show is still very good.
Just finished ep 3 this show is 10/10
This show is awesome 👍🏽🎉
The book is amazing and so far pretty accurate to the book. We spend more time with the ship, then the shipmate in the pit, and with Yabu. You get to really appreciate Blackthorn's revelations and character development in the book. I think the book also allows you to really appreciate Torinaga's 3D chess playing. Omg. This show is amazing.
Ha! Ha! How right and how wrong you were about castle terminology! In European castles, the “donjon”’is the central keep, or tower. Much like ‘dojo.’ You know more than you think you do. Be kind with yourselves, and with each other.
In Japan the innermost ring of fortifications was the ‘Honmaru.’
Anyway, for another view of how the Spanish and the Portuguese carved up the world, take a look at “The Mission” (1986?) starring Jeremy Irons, Robert (excuse me, effing) DeNiro, Aidan Quinn (who should have had a huge career) and with a very brief appearance by a young Liam Neeson.
Whenever I see someone tied up the way Blackthorne was, I start thinking of something else.
I like the fact that, for now, they are faithful to the book, I hope it doesn't go sideways like Game of Thrones did
The difference is that there was no book to go by for the last seasons of GoT
Nestor Carbonell was also Bat-Manuel on "The Tick"
The Queen of England referred to by Blackthorne would be Elizabeth the First in the latter years of her reign.
Historical resources leading up to and about this era:
Taming of the Samurai by Eiko Ikegami
Samurai William by Giles Milton
Warrior Rule in Japan Edited by Marius Jansen
Such a phenomenal show
Title sequence is a Zen rock garden.