The final episode of Shōgun brought the show to a powerful conclusion, tying up the main characters’ stories. This critically acclaimed FX series was based on James Clavell’s novel Shōgun, which was inspired by the real-life story of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The dramatic changes happening in Japan at the end of the 16th century set the stage for Shōgun, and the finale confirmed that Toranaga’s goal was to overthrow the Regents and usher Japan into a new era. Whether Toranaga became the new Shogun following his victory against Ishido remains.
Hiroyuki Sanada in Shogun | Source: IMDb
How does Shogun End?
Yabushige sacrificed himself by committing seppuku to help Ishido kill Mariko. He was the only Shōgun character to learn the full extent of Toranaga’s plan directly from Toranaga.
While the battle between Toranaga and Ishido’s forces was not shown, the finale of Shōgun made it clear that Toranaga would emerge victorious.
John Blackthorne, whose story was inspired by William Addams, dreamed of returning home and growing old while reminiscing about Mariko. Still, his ship was destroyed, meaning he might never make it back to England. The bittersweet finale of Shōgun highlighted the complexity of the character, Yoshii Toranaga.
Does Lord Toranaga Become Shōgun?
Lord Toranaga had been secretly plotting to become the shōgun all along, as revealed in his conversation with Yabushige near the end of episode 10.
Toranaga envisioned a period of peace for Japan, with him serving as the absolute military leader as the first true shōgun in years.
None of Toranaga’s closest allies were aware of the full extent of his plan, which involved defeating Ishido before the war began. Toranaga’s plan will ultimately succeed, and he will eventually become the shōgun.
Lord Toranaga’s character is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, after the Battle of Sekigahara against Ishida Mitsunari, replaced the Council of Elders as the true ruler of Japan.
Ieyasu originally had the support of the Taikō’s heir and his mother, Yodo-no-kata, but their influence on his rule was minimal.
However, a few years after establishing his power as shōgun, Ieyasu moved against the heir, Toyotomi Hideyori. This attack ended with the heir committing seppuku and his mother becoming a nun. Yodo-no-kata inspired Shōgun’s Ochiba-no-kata, whereas Ishido was based on Ishida Mitsunari.
The novel Shōgun by James Clavell is based on the origins of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s shogunate. The story of Lord Toranaga concludes similarly to his real-life counterpart.
With the support of Ochiba-no-kata, who represents the heir until he comes of age, Toranaga quickly gathered those who had once supported Ishido. Without the heir under his banner, Ishido could not win the war.
This is why the novel Shōgun did not depict the full Battle of Sekigahara—Toranaga’s plan had already succeeded before he confronted Ishido on the battlefield.
How Toranaga Won The War Against Ishido In Shōgun’s Finale?
Ochiba-no-kata’s support won Toranaga the war.
The death of Lady Mariko in Shōgun episode 9 helped Lord Toranaga in several ways. First, it created instability in Osaka Castle and weakened Ishido’s power as the daimyos realized he was holding hostages.
Without the support of some of the region’s most influential lords and with internal conflicts within the Council of Regents, Ishido became much weaker after Mariko’s sacrifice.
Additionally, Mariko’s death took a toll on Ochiba-no-kata. Since Mariko and Ochiba had essentially grown up as sisters, Mariko’s demise led Ochiba to reconsider her stance on the war.
The scene where Ochiba-no-kata read Mariko’s poetry to her son showed how deeply Mariko’s death affected the heir’s mother.
Ochiba likely realized it was not worth risking her son’s life in a war against Toranaga, especially since Ishido’s chances of winning were now much lower.
Before she died, Mariko tried to convince Ochiba to support Toranaga, but it ended up happening. With the heir on his side, Toranaga could easily consolidate his power. Ishido arrived at the Battle of Sekigahara, having already lost the war.
Cosmo Jarvis in Shogun | Source: IMDb
Who Burned John Blackthorne’s Ship In Shōgun’s Finale?
Lord Toranaga burned John Blackthorne ship at the end of Shogun. While Toranaga made it seem like a traitor in Ajiro was responsible for it, the Lord of Kanto secretly acted so that Blackthorne would never leave Japan. The destruction of Blackthorne’s ship was also part of a deal Mariko worked out with the Portuguese in exchange for the Anjin’s life.
Blackthorne’s life would be spared, but he would never leave Japan. The Portuguese ensured the English Protestant would never bring his allies to Japan, whereas Toranaga got to keep his unusual ally close by his side.
Toranaga said he liked having Blackthorne around because the Anjin made him laugh. Additionally, Blackthorne helped create distractions for Toranaga.
The Anjin created a lot of trouble as soon as he arrived in Japan, giving Yoshii more freedom to act while his enemies were focused on the barbarian and his ship.
Both the Council of Regents and the Portuguese merchants were too busy worrying about Blackthorne to realize the Lord of Kanto was about to take over the country. Blackthorne believed he was using Toranaga, yet the opposite was happening.
What Happens To John Blackthorne After Shōgun?
The Anjin’s fate is to remain in Japan forever. According to Lord Toranaga, the Anjin’s destiny is to remain in Japan.
Toranaga will only reveal what happened to Blackthorne’s ship once the Anjin has built a new one. Even then, Toranaga will “probably burn it too.” It is implied in James Clavell’s Shōgun novel that John Blackthorne never went back to England and spent the rest of his life in Japan.
The Anjin’s fate was in Toranaga’s hands from the beginning, which Blackthorne failed to realize. The dream sequence from the start of the Shōgun finale will never come true because Blackthorne will never leave Japan.
What is the real meaning of the ending Of Shōgun?
Shōgun told the story of how Toranaga’s rule came to be.
The final episode of Shogūn may not have been action-packed, but it was still a great conclusion to the series. The episode remained faithful to the source material, closely following the ending of the Shōgun novel.
The story focused on the intertwined lives of Lord Toranaga, John Blackthorne, and Lady Mariko, all of whom shaped Japan’s future over the next two centuries. Blackthorne and Mariko became pawns in Toranaga’s long game as he secured his position as the new shōgun in Edo.
Anna Sawai in Shogun | Source: IMDb
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About Shōgun
Shōgun is an upcoming American historical drama television limited series based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. The novel was previously adapted into a 1980 television miniseries.
The series is set to premiere with its first two episodes on February 27, 2024, on Hulu and FX, with new episodes of the 10-episode series then releasing weekly.
Shōgun follows “the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai; John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance”.
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