"Shōgun": A Must-See Epic Drama of the Year

While it's often said that "art knows no borders," instances of cultural clashes in film and television productions are not uncommon. When different ethnic cultures meet the hands of creators from other countries, various shortcomings such as "stereotypes" and "misfits" emerge. Hollywood has been a notorious hotspot for such situations in the past.

The good news is, in recent years, there has been a gradual decline in Hollywood productions pandering to Western audiences, instead striving to align more closely with the cultural essence required by the works. And the even better news? They've succeeded!

Coincidentally, this year saw two high-scoring Asian culture-related works produced by Hollywood, both from Japan. First, there was HBO's "Tokyo Vice," and now, Disney+ presents the ambitious "Shōgun."

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Before diving into the series, let's first grasp critical points. What exactly is "Shōgun"? "Shōgun," short for "Sei-i Taishōgun," refers to Japan's political and military figures from the 12th to the 19th centuries who held actual leadership and ruling powers. The highest command authority in Japan at the time was referred to as the "shogunate," which was directly overseen by the "Sei-i Taishōgun." Due to the belief among the Japanese people at that time that the Emperor was divine, the imperial family, believed to have the "blood of the gods," held the highest status. The Shōgun was appointed by the Emperor, creating a historical exception where immense power coexisted but was never overthrown. The Samurai, rewarded for their loyalty, indirectly controlled Japan.

Who are the reference prototypes for the dual male leads, Yoshii Toranaga and John Blackthorne? Tokugawa Ieyasu, Oda Nobunaga, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, collectively known as the "Three Great Unifiers of Japan," played pivotal roles. Tokugawa Ieyasu, in particular, established the Edo shogunate, which spanned over 260 years during the Edo period. The other lead character, the British sailor "John Blackthorne," is a fabrication based on the first foreign samurai under Tokugawa Ieyasu, Miura Anjin (William Adams), hailing from England.

Are the Western religious elements depicted in the story reasonable? The setting of "Shōgun" is in 1600, amidst the "Sengoku period." Portuguese were the first Europeans to step foot in Japan, introducing transoceanic trade and the Catholic faith of the "Portuguese Jesuits," thereby introducing Christianity to Japan. Concurrently, the religious conflicts between Catholicism and Protestantism in Europe naturally influenced the Sengoku period's landscape.

What is the historical background that sets the stage for the story? Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga allied their youth, which later dissolved for various reasons. After Oda Nobunaga's death, Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over his influence and rapidly rose to power. Due to circumstances, Tokugawa Ieyasu submitted to Hideyoshi, being assigned to the Kantō region. However, his distance from the Toyotomi clan allowed him to develop his power, becoming a significant force. Hideyoshi, wary of Tokugawa Ieyasu's influence, convened several powerful lords, including Tokugawa Ieyasu, forming the Council of Five Elders before his death, hoping to balance power and assist his son. "Shōgun" begins against this backdrop, depicting the power struggles following Toyotomi Hideyoshi's demise.

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"Many large-scale TV productions have flaws, but 'Shōgun' is a true masterpiece," praises a column from "Time" reviewing the series. Indeed, since its premiere, "Shōgun" has received almost all professional rating websites.

Of course, some media outlets have expressed regrets about the developments in the series. Interestingly, their criticisms vary widely. However, regardless of these critiques, audiences who have watched the series are unlikely to deny its excellence in scriptwriting, post-production, and acting performances. Whether your preference leans towards the business plotline or the romantic subplot, different viewpoints are bound to yield varied viewing experiences.

Before its premiere, there were numerous comparisons between "Shōgun" and "Game of Thrones." With such official promotion, it's evident that the creators' and producers' ambitions, as well as their confidence in the strength and quality of the series. In interviews, the creators expressed their determination to create a samurai legend unlike anything Hollywood has seen.

As viewers, it's remarkable to witness a Hollywood production telling an Eastern story set in Japan swiftly garnering recognition from both Western and Japanese audiences post-premiere. After all, based on James Clavell's bestselling novel of the same name from 1975, the earlier adaptation of "Shōgun" in 1980, whether as a 125-minute film or a 9-hour miniseries, had already appeared on screens big and small.

This version starred the legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. It garnered numerous mainstream awards, including the Golden Globe and Emmy Awards in the same year. However, it needed help to escape the dominance of the 'Western interpretation' perspective. According to "Variety," American audiences weren't accustomed to reading subtitles at the time, so the previous version lacked subtitles even during Japanese dialogue scenes.

Now, the latest iteration is making every effort to address the shortcomings of its predecessor. The writing team is predominantly comprised of Asian writers, and they've enlisted the expertise of Mako Kamitsuna, an American writer, editor, and director who grew up in Hiroshima, as a consultant. Kamitsuna provides adjustment suggestions to the script to offer a more diverse narrative perspective. We can see that the series has recruited more Japanese-speaking actors and has specially hired Japanese staff to ensure historical accuracy in portrayal during production.

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"Shōgun" comprises ten episodes in its first season, featuring renowned Japanese actors such as Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Fumi Nikaido. Just two episodes into its airing, this version already manages to dispel the "typical Hollywood-style Japanese stereotypes" that viewers recently experienced with Netflix's "House of Ninjas." Remember that even "Tokyo Vice" took an entire season to gain recognition from Japanese media and audiences alike.

In contrast to "Tokyo Vice," which was entirely shot in Tokyo, "Shōgun" wasn't even filmed in Japan! To avoid a sense of detachment when Westerners depict Eastern stories, the production crew put tremendous effort into set design and costumes. They invested heavily in building filming locations in the mountains outside Vancouver, collaborating with Japanese consultants and Canadian staff. Elaborate sets such as the interior of Osaka Castle, gardens, and stranded fishing boats were meticulously constructed to "faithfully recreate the Japan of the Sengoku period in 1600 as realistically as possible."

All costumes were handmade, with technical support from a Japanese team familiar with the historical background. Designers differentiated attire based on colors and patterns for commoners, Edo and Osaka citizens, nobles, and commanders. Each commander even had their clothing colour scheme, and many props were sourced from Kyoto.

As a historical war-themed series, action scenes naturally take centre stage. The creators enlisted a team with 25 years of experience in Japanese martial arts for design, with guidance from Japanese experts to ensure that the combat sequences authentically reflect traditional Japanese fighting of the era, achieving perfection. Such meticulous and sincere attention to detail breaks away from the previous Hollywood attempts at Japanese-themed productions, avoiding the sense of imitation.

The backdrop of "Shōgun'" is set in Japan in 1600 amidst a turbulent period of power struggles on the brink of civil war. With the passing of the incumbent Shōgun, various feudal lords, or samurai, vie for the coveted position. At the same time, the influential leader Yoshii Toranaga finds himself in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, a mysterious European ship becomes stranded in a Japanese fishing village, where the British sailor John Blackthorne unexpectedly crosses paths with Yoshii Toranaga, bringing with him secrets that could alter the course of history.

Combining elements of natural Japanese history with fiction, the story unfolds as a bloody samurai epic rife with political intrigue and cultural clashes. Through the character of Yoshii Toranaga, viewers catch glimpses of the cunning and stoicism reminiscent of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as depicted in historical records. His multifaceted persona, capable of bending, extending, enduring, and releasing, coupled with the grand narrative of the Japanese shogunate era presented from both Western and Japanese perspectives, provides ample intrigue.

The series captivates audiences with its faithful recreation of authentic settings and starkly brutal war scenes. Even if you're unfamiliar with this period of Japanese history and its figures, there's no need to fret. You can enjoy the series as an epic saga of history, war, politics, and romance. After 44 years, "Shōgun'" returns triumphant, inviting viewers to embark on its legendary journey again!