Summary
- Mariko's tragic story in Shōgun mirrors that of historical figure Hosokawa Gracia, highlighting the challenges women faced in 1600s Japan.
- The patriarchal society of 17th century Japan left Mariko feeling alone and without purpose, forbidden from following her family's fate.
- Mariko's struggle to honor her family's tragic past while navigating the expectations of her husband sheds light on the harsh realities of the time period.
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 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 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.
New episodes of Shōgun air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX and are available on Hulu the next day.
Source: Collider
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
- Writers
- Rachel Kondo
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
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