Summary
“Ladies of the Willow World” proved to be vital in telling the backstories of Lady Mariko and Ochiba. Anna Sawai and Fumi Nikaido deliver incredible performances in this strong episode.
After saving Lord Toranaga for a second time, John Blackthorne is presented with new titles, which ruffles the feathers of others within the army in Episode 6 of Shogun. The Council of Regents brings in Lady Ochiba to help them pick the fifth members of the council to solidify the vote against Toranaga.
Blackthorne Is Rewarded By Toranaga
Lord Toranaga addresses everyone and announces that Blackthorne has saved his life for the second time. As a result, he is rewarding him with a fief near Kanagawa worth 600 koku. Toranaga also announces that Blackthorne is the chief admiral of the Kanto and the general in charge of the cannon regiment.
Lord Nagakado is not thrilled with his father’s decision-making, but Yabushige explains they have bigger fish to fry because they are down over a thousand people and will have to take on Ishido soon.
Buntaro’s Punishment
Lord Toranaga confronts Buntaro about his treatment of Lady Mariko in Shogun Episode 6. He apologizes for his actions but says she hasn’t been the same since Blackthorne arrived. Toranaga punishes him by saying he must stay away from her for seven days. Moments later, Blackthorne and Lady Mariko arrive, where he tells Toranaga he can’t fulfill the duties bestowed upon him and wishes to leave Japan. If he stays, he wants his ship back and will be able to protect against his enemies and his own.
Toranaga doesn’t agree to anything but tells Blackthorne to leave. Lady Mariko remains, and Toranaga asks what is happening between her and Blackthorne. She says nothing, and he responds that he would not deal with disruption in his camp. He tells Lady Mariko he will not accept Blackthorne’s offer, but to ease his mind, Lady Mariko is to set him up at the Brothel for the night, and she is to stay with them to translate.
The Council of Regents Finds Its Fifth Member
The Council of Regents brings Lady Ochiba to reel in the final member of the council. After his performance in front of the crowd, Lord Ishido offers Lord Ito to join the Regents and help vote for Lord Toranaga’s death. He accepts the offer, and we see Lord Ishido thanking Lady Ochiba for her recommendation of Lord Ito. Lord Ishido suggests he will always live in Taiko’s shadow, but Lady Ochiba says if he kills Toranaga, everyone will live in his shadow.
The Crimson Sky
At the roundtable discussing their next plans, one of the men suggests they do the Crimson Sky. The Crimson Sky is a plan formulated long ago with a single, violent rush on the Osaka Castle. They would eliminate the Council and form a new council where Toranaga is the lone Regent. Everyone suggests the idea is a risk, but Lord Toranaga doesn’t like it and demands they find a plan that isn’t certain death.
Blackthorne and Lady Mariko arrive at the Willy World (the Brothel) and are welcomed by the lady in charge. A visibly uncomfortable Blackthorne doesn’t know why they are here, but Lady Mariko says it is in his best interest not to act out. Lady Kiku explains that Willy World is a place where people come to escape the world. She invites Blackthorne back, and Lady Kiku asks if Lady Mariko will come, but she says no, it must be only them.
Lord Toranaga asks Lady Mariko how much she remembers her childhood. Toranaga talks about her father and how he planned to marry her off to put her as far away from the fight as possible, so that one day, she would return and finish it.
Shogun Episode 6 ends with Lord Ishido making a move
The Council of Regents has gathered to vote on Lord Ito joining the council. While two members vote yes, Lord Sugiyama says he will not vote because there hasn’t been proof of any plot against them. He will not vote until all the hostages are released. Sugiyama says Ishido is a disgrace to Lord Taiko. Lady Ochiba confronts Lord Ishido, saying her hatred for Lord Toranaga started long ago because he had her father killed.
The conversation leads to Lord Ishido taking out Lord Sugiyama and his crew. Word gets back to Lord Toranaga, who says soon Ishido will be in charge and impeach him. For that, he announces they will plot forward with the Crimson Sky.
The story continues in Shogun Episode 7.
