Why Shōgun’s Mariko Is Consumed By Her Tragic Family History Explained By Anna Sawai

Shōgun star Anna Sawai explains why her character, Toda Mariko, is consumed by her family’s tragedy. Episode 5 of the historical drama finally unveiled Mariko’s full story. Previously, the show established her as a translator in service of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a position that brings her into contact with her love interest, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). However, there were hints, such as flashbacks, that there was much more to this woman’s story than meets the eye.

In an interview with Collider, Sawai addressed why her family’s dark past so consumes Mariko in Shōgun that she even begs to take her own life. Sawai explained that this is just the way things were in Japan in the 1600s. Mariko’s family was disgraced by her father, which led to their deaths, making it understandable why she wished to die, too. However, because of Japan’s patriarchal society, Mariko is forbidden by her husband from dying, leaving her feeling alone, disgraced, and without purpose. Check out her statement below:

You just have to know that is what was happening back in the day. Nothing like that would happen now. But also, the reason why she wants to take her own life is because her dad was disgraced, and he and her whole family had to die. After that, you don’t wanna be there alone. Of course, you would wanna die with them. And to not have that permission because you are now married to someone who is telling you to live is insane. When we first meet Mariko, she’s a little bit aimless. And then, when she’s told that she needs to become an interpreter, and then slowly she starts to understand that this is what her father wanted for her and this was his plan, the fire starts to burn, and she then has clarity and purpose, just believing in that. And it wasn’t hard to believe because Mariko is based on Hosokawa Gracia, who lived in 1600 and took her own life, and a lot of hostages were freed because of her.

Mariko’s Reaction To Her Family’s Tragedy Aligns With History

Sawai pointed out that Mariko’s actions in Shōgun are much more believable when one recognizes that a historical figure lived this reality. Mariko is based on Hosokawa Gracia, a woman who lived during the Sengoku period of Japan. In the show, Mariko’s family becomes disgraced after her father carries out an assassination attempt on his lord. In real life, Hosokawa’s father, Akechi Mitsuhide, betrayed Lord Oda Nobunaga, leading the lord to commit seppuku. Akechi attempted to rule Japan, but his rule was short-lived, and he and his family, except for Hosokawa, were killed for his betrayal.

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In Shōgun, Mariko is viewed with great disdain for being the daughter of a traitor. The same was true for Hosokawa. However, since she had married at a young age, Hosokawa could not commit seppuku without her husband’s permission. Instead of divorcing her or ordering her to commit seppuku, her husband sent her into exile, separating her from him and their children for years. She later found comfort in Christianity. As Sawai mentions, Hosokawa eventually died when Ishida Mitsunari tried to take her hostage, though it’s unclear if she was killed or if it was assisted suicide.

Ultimately, Hosokawa’s story confirms that situations like Mariko’s occurred. One can’t imagine being in that situation today, but women were in a difficult position in 1600s Japan. Despite society’s adherence to bushido, a woman’s obedience to her husband could still be considered above her sense of honor. When one considers the historical context, it’s easier to understand Mariko’s torment at being forbidden from following her moral code or her family’s fate at her husband’s bidding. As shocking and brutal as some moments in Shōgun may seem, they often reflect the reality of the time period.

Source: Collider

Shogun

Shogun is an FX original mini-series set in 17th Century Japan. Shogun follows John Blackthorne, who becomes a samurai warrior but is unknowingly a pawn in Yoshii Toranaga’s plan to become Shogun. The series stars Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga, along with Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Yûki Kedôin.

Cast

Cosmo Jarvis , Hiroyuki Sanada , Anna Sawai , Tadanobu Asano , Yûki Kedôin

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

Writers

Maegan Houang , Rachel Kondo , Justin Marks , Emily Yoshida

Directors

Frederick E.O. Toye , Jonathan van Tulleken