Characters / Shōgun (2024)

The main and supporting cast of Shōgun (2024). Note — all Japanese names are listed as family name, given name, as per Eastern name order.

Kingdom of England

John Blackthorne

Pilot-Major John Blackthorne / "Anjin" (按針)

"I won't die in this wretched land."

Played By: Cosmo Jarvis

An English pilot hired aboard a Dutch ship tasked with disrupting Portuguese holdings in the Far East. Blackthorne's ship comes to grief off the coast of Japan, where he finds himself an unwilling guest among the court of Yoshii Toranaga.

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• Ain't Too Proud to Beg: While Blackthorne often protests over bad treatment, he'll quickly fold if he realizes he's at someone else's mercy. Best exemplified when Yabushige rescues him in "Servants of Two Masters" and commands him with a blade to the throat to repeat (in Japanese) "I am a dog". Blackthorne doesn't understand the words but gets the spirit of it and obeys.
• Appropriated Appellation: Throughout his time in Toranaga's court, every other people call him "Anjin", i.e. the Japanese word for his occupation, "pilot". In his climactic confrontation with Toranaga in "A Dream of a Dream", as he tries to save the villagers of Ajiro via suicide-by-protest, he explicitly calls himself "Anjin" and uses the same Famous Last Words as Mariko when she died—symbolically accepting his place within the Japanese world that has changed him.
• Because You Were Nice to Me: Toranaga is the first Japanese of any authority who has shown any interest in helping or protecting him. On two and possibly three occasions, Blackthorne risks his life to protect Toranaga, even getting wounded by a shinobi assassin he presumes has come to kill him. When Blackthorne pulls him out from under feet of soil after a sudden earthquake, Toranaga's surprised, grateful expression evidences his solidifying trust and admiration for the man he once considered a mere "barbarian".
• Bigger Stick: By virtue of his ship, his flintlock pistols and the naval artillery he brought with him, this is what he represents to the warring factions of Sengoku Period Japan. Control over him and his equipment is what Toranaga is banking on to turn the tide against Ishido and the Regents—while Yabushige (who seems more emotionally tied to Ishido) is trying his best to make Ishido see it too.
• Birds of a Feather: Implied with both Mariko and Lord Toranaga.
  • He and Mariko bond over their children (even though he doesn't know his due to being at sea) and they are both desperate for a sense of freedom from control in a dangerous society.
  • Both Toranaga and Blackthorne are extremely witty, both are the Determinator and both have strong survival instincts due to being surrounded by enemies for years. Both seem to understand this about each other, leading to a bond between them being formed.
• Combat Pragmatist: He's completely unfamiliar with eastern weapons, holding a katana like a cutlass when Yabu demands to spar. His pistols are another story — in one fight, he can hear an assassin on the other side of a door, so he takes a blind shot at its center. When another moves to investigate the shot, Blackthorne reaches through the hole to pull the man against the wall, where he can aim a shot closer to the head.
• Cunning Linguist: He speaks English, Dutch, Spanish, and after a brief couple of months, is able to speak Japanese shockingly fluent just by observing his captors. Case in point, Blackthorne is really good with language.
• Decoy Protagonist: While the plot of the series begins with his arrival in Japan and his presence and the weaponry he brings with him is a game-changer, by the final episode it's very clear that this is Toranaga and Mariko's story, not Blackthorne's.
• Despair Event Horizon: Blackthorne crosses this when after Mariko's death and he sees his ship destroyed. His pride finally breaks and doesn't really care if he lives anymore.
• Determinator: He is stubbornly dedicated to his mission, to the point that his Establishing Character Moment in "Anjin" involves him arguing with his suicidal captain that they can still go on with their goal, even as they're starving on a ship lost at sea in the fog, with no idea if they're anywhere close to Japan.
• Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": His Japanese name is Anjin, "pilot," referring to his profession.
• Everyone Has Standards: Blackthorne isn't the epitome of virtue by any means, but he does have a code of honour.
  • He firmly believes in the No One Gets Left Behind rule and hates leaving his men behind — even those who are cruel to him like Buntaro — and is distraught at having to do so. He's guilt-ridden one of his crew was put through a Cruel and Unusual Death because of their arrival in Japan and bargains to have the remaining crew restored to him.
  • Despite his dislike for the Japanese, even he is visibly shocked at how cruelly the Regents and their samurai treat everyday folk, including killing them on the spot simply for praying in their presence.
  • He's clearly upset by how Buntaro and samurai like him treat their women and children.
  • Part of the reason he willingly works alongside Lord Toranaga is because he despises the Portuguese Catholics for their arrogance and desire to force Christendom onto all the world and usurp foreign governments from the inside, simply because they believe that anyone who does not believe in their god does not deserve to remain.
  • He's sickened by Nagakado blowing Jozen and his men away with cannonfire, wondering aloud why no one is stopping him and trying to do so himself before Mariko warns him not to intervene.
  • He is disgusted when Buntaro fires his bow and arrow mere inches from an unflinching Mariko, pointing out that while Mariko is Buntaro's property as his wife, he shouldn't treat her 'unkindly.' He also flies into a rage when he discovers that Mariko was beaten as a result.
  • His Take This Job and Shove It breaking point comes after he learns that based on Poor Communication Kills and the Literal-Minded intepretation of his joking order not to take down a pheasant left out to cure/rot "on pain of death", his gardener has been executed for taking it down. Mariko attempts to contextualise the series of decisions leading to that but he's unconvinced.
• Fee Fi Faux Pas: Blackthorne's muted reactions to key moments of gravitas — such as being made hatamoto — come off as insulting to the Japanese, as he is completely unfamiliar with the sanctity of such moments, and cares little to learn more.
• Fish out of Water: Before arriving in "the Japans", as a sailor John does have a rudimentary knowledge of the island nation, though after he arrives he experiences everything from the cruelest treatment to the most unexpected kindnesses, and spends much of the time early on in his stay adapting to the cultural chasm that exists between Japan and his native England.
• Going Native: Downplayed. John Blackthorne is a white Englishman who finds himself in Sengoku Japan, and though he is strongly motivated by regaining his ship and returning home, he actually makes it quite far in Japanese society. He becomes fluent in the language, adjusts to things like wearing robes and carrying swords, and even becomes a high-ranking samurai. This is exemplified by meeting one of his old crewmates — the other European remains an uncouth, lowlife outsider, in contrast to Blackthorne's relative comfort. And finally, Toranaga ensures that Blackthorne has no choice but to remain in Japan by destroying his ship.
• Guile Hero: While he's in a foreign country, surrounded by people who don't speak his language and translators who don't have his best interests in mind, Blackthorne is still able to keep his head intact by using his wits, analytical skills, and perception to adapt to the situation at hand.
• The Gunslinger: Or as close as you can get in the time of muzzle-loaders. John is an experienced privateer skilled at shooting fast in close quarters as is required on a ship, and puts that skill to great use defending against shinobi when they raid the castle in Osaka.
• Important Haircut: He starts the series with long hair, which would be typical of both an Elizabethan sailor and someone who had been lost for months at sea. When his captors forcibly bathe him they also cut his hair close to his scalp, something which he finds insulting but which signifies the immense emotional and mental journey he's about to embark upon.
• Insulting from Behind the Language Barrier: Blackthorne is fond of using creative insults against Japanese he doesn't like, and is able to get away with quite a lot of them by saying them in Portuguese, which most Japanese can't understand, and counting on his personal translator, Mariko, to provide a Tactful Translation so as to not offend the target.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's brazen, loud, foul-mouthed and more than a little prejudiced, but he does have his noble qualities and clearly isn't as bad as the Portuguese try to make him out to be.
• Large Ham: John speaks with a braying but clipped RP accent, which lends him a theatrical, bombastic tone. He’s also prone to emotional outbursts when confounded by protocol and cultural differences.
• Lethal Chef: Rabbit stew and matured pheasant are both perfectly normal dishes in his native England, but when he insists that his adopted Japanese household must try said dishes, they are all utterly repulsed, with Fuji adopting a brilliantly grave, Comically Serious tone when announcing that "dinner is served..."
• Like Brother and Sister: While he's legally (and reluctantly) married to Fuji, their relationship grows more affectionate but there's absolutely no romantic feelings or chemistry between them. They do come to respect and care for each other, and he’s utterly distraught when he thinks that she might have died in an earthquake, and deeply relieved when he finds her alive.
• Mercy Kill Arrangement: In "Crimson Sky", the sequence of events lead to Mariko declaring she will commit suicide-in-protest against the hostage-taking of Ishido's regime. As her chosen second (i.e. take her head after she stabs herself in the heart), Lord Kiyama, was prevented from attending her on the hour, Blackthorne ultimately decides to stand by her and be the second instead. Ishido folding and allowing the hostages back, at least publicly, spares him from this grim arrangement.
• Naturalized Name: The Japanese call him "Anjin" (pilot), because "Blackthorne" is too hard for them to say.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: He's based on William Adams, the first Englishman to arrive in Japan onboard a Dutch ship, who later became a pivotal advisor to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and opened up trade between England and The Netherlands with Japan.
• No Indoor Voice: John speaks with a braying bass rumble and is prone to bouts of Suddenly Shouting if agitated or delighted in equal measure.
• Obfuscating Stupidity: By "The Abyss of Life", he can speak fairly decent Japanese. When he and Alvito cross paths in town, and the priest takes the opportunity to needle his issues at communicating with the locals, Blackthorne reveals he was merely stumbling over the word for "charcoal", as it burns better than wood, communicating fluently to Alvito and the merchant in Japanese with far more fluidity than he demonstrates around Toranaga's retinue. This suggests that he is deliberately underplaying his ability to communicate directly so his enemies underestimate him, and also so he has further reason to stay around Mariko during important meetings.
• Omniglot: Blackthorne is an Englishman who can speak fluent Portuguese (and probably Dutch too, considering his employers), and he is starting to pick up Japanese through exposure as well.
• Outside-Context Problem: For all factions in Japan; Blackthorne's arrival disrupts Ishido's plans to oust Toranaga because the Catholic lords refuse to agree to the ouster unless Blackthorne (a Protestant) is executed, and he upsets the Portuguese's plot to install a Puppet King by revealing the extent of their operations to Toranaga, who has even less reason to trust them now.
• Patriotic Fervour: Blackthorne is deeply loyal to his Queen and country — at the time ruled by the formidable Elizabeth I — and holds deeply-rooted anti-catholic sentiments that he isn't at all afraid to share. This is primarily due to the fact that at the time the series is set, protestant England is at war with catholic Spain, and he therefore feels even more compelled to share with Toranaga the Evil Plan both Spain and Portugal have for dominating Japan, whilst noting that Toranaga would find a far better global ally in Queen Elizabeth and England.
• The Pigpen: European bathing practices at the time were sporadic at best, especially compared to the Japanese, so Blackthorne ends up turning a few heads due to his uncleanliness. He later adopts local bathing practises to the point that he's visibly disgusted when he approaches his crew members who still refuse to bathe regularly.
• Politically Incorrect Hero: Downplayed. He does not like Japanese people or Catholics, and makes his opinions known at virtually every available opportunity, especially in the first episode. He maintains audience sympathy by virtue of the fact that he takes as many insults as he gives out, and that he and his fellow sailors had a less than friendly welcome to the country.
• Poor Communication Kills: In "Broken to the Fist", John wants to prepare Toranaga's pheasant for later, which involves hanging the pheasant's carcass out in the open until it rots. He tells a horrified Usami and his staff in broken Japanese that anyone who touches the pheasant would die. He doesn't understand the gravity his words hold, and subsequently the kindly old gardener volunteers to get rid of the pheasant (believed to be bringing a curse on the village), and is subsequently put to death due to disobeying an order from his lord. Blackthorne is horrified and guilt-ridden when he realizes the ramifications of his words.
• Relationship Upgrade: Spending practically all his time with Mariko gives him a genuine appreciation not only of her job as a translator and his teacher in Japanese, but also of her character and mindset. Thus, when she secretly steals into his room to seduce him, he gives in immediately.
  Blackthorne: You said your houses here are designed to be rebuilt as quickly as they are destroyed. So if a house is ruined, and rebuilt and ruined and rebuilt 50 times over, I see it… Uh, I fail to see it as ruins. I see only a house. And here I see much woman. And one who owes me no explanations.
• Seven Deadly Sins: Pride. Despite being in a situation where his life is constantly in danger, he still holds onto his pride and belief that he will come out on top, along with his disdain for Catholics and the Portuguese making him constantly spew out insults in their presence.
• Weirdness Coupon: Blackthorne's overt foreignness and almost total cultural illiteracy, combined with his own blusterful manner, allows him to express pert opinions on matters of state and societal norms that would typically result in anyone else being instantly beheaded.
• Worthy Opponent: In the brief time he has been in Japan, the Regents and the Portuguese alike label him an enemy, yet also begrudgingly acknowledge that he's a cut above most of their other enemies due to his tenacity and survival instinct.
• You Can't Go Home Again: One of Blackthorne's main motivations in the series is getting his ship back in the hopes of returning home someday. The final episode include scenes of Blackthorne in his deathbed back in England clutching Mariko's rosary in his hand. This is ultimately revealed to be a dream: Blackthorne throws the rosary to the bottom of the sea and Toranaga mentions to Yabushige before his death that he intends to destroy Blackthorne's ship again once they win the war, concluding that Blackthorne is destined to stay in Japan for the rest of his life.

Realm of Japan

House of Yoshii

Lord Yoshii Toranaga

Lord Yoshii Toranaga (吉井 虎永), President of Foreign Relations

"What if, as your liege lord, I could restore you to this purpose?"

Played By: Hiroyuki Sanada

Head of the the most powerful clan in Japan second to the Taiko's. Toranaga is a formidable daimyo (analogous to the rank of an earl in English) even if he is nominally a retainer to the late Taiko. Toranaga finds himself in a precarious position as his political rival, Ishido, seeks his impeachment and removal from the Regency Council. The arrival of an outsider from the West, John Blackthorne, may be just what he needs to turn the tables on his enemies.

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• Actually Pretty Funny:
  • During Blackthorne’s explanation of the world, Toranaga tells him he should give up as he's outnumbered and cannot win. Blackthorne replies "unless I win", prompting Toranaga to give a slight smirk of amusement over his determination.
  • After Blackthorne saves his life from an earthquake and gives him swords from Fuji's father to compensate the two he lost, Toranaga lets out a weak laugh. His reaction suggests a slightly begrudging, but surprised and even amused acknowledgement that a “barbarian” like Blackthorne has saved his life — now twice.
  • In the series finale, Toranaga reveals to Yabushige that he will not allow Blackthorne to leave Japan because, among other reasons, "he makes me laugh."
• Adaptational Nice Guy: Some of Toranaga's more cruel moments are downplayed or removed. Instead of ordering the execution of a samurai and infant the samurai does it himself. He is less easily angered and openly ambitious. He is less willing to sacrifice others for his cause. His whole demeanor is less warlord and more sagelike.
• Anti-Nepotism: It is very likely what defines his relationship and treatment of his son Nagakado. Despite their Minowara blood, much of what Toranaga has roots from his own guile — after all, he went from being a hostage to becoming an independent daimyo. Nagakado not having the same life experience (as he mostly enjoys his position as Toranaga's son) means he has not experienced adversity to hone his instincts. Toranaga's harsh mentorship of him is seemingly an attempt to remedy this, though the lessons are very slow to take root.
• Anti-Villain: In as much as he could be construed as a villain, at least. He is indeed ruthless, secretive and definitely no stranger to war and killing, but the show also makes clear that he's a man who spent most of his life in a perilous position and is now a player in an impossible game he has no choice but to play for the sake of his life and clan. He's not as callous and cruel, nor is he the Smug Snake bureaucrat that the other Regents are, and he has a virtue for every vice. Being played by Hiroyuki Sanada will do that for you.
• Batman Gambit: Most of his schemes rely on the Council of Regents, their samurai retainers, and even his own retainers acting exactly as he expects them to, and given his intimate knowledge of each and every one of them, he easily manipulates them all. Which is only made all the sweeter by the fact that the Council knows he’s manipulating them, but there’s little they can actually do about it.
• Benevolent Boss: Throughout the first half of the series, he is never shown to be a harsh master, despite being bound by the protocol and harsh Honor Before Reason of the samurai class. While he is compelled to allow his vassal Tadayoshi's seppuku and throw Blackthorne into prison to throw Ishido off the scent, he is almost always apologetic afterwards. He is also notably considerate to Mariko, taking her into his confidence, allowing her a part in his schemes, and expresses mourning for her deceased father.
• Big Bad: Beautifully Played With. While he is, at the end of the day, a good man who looks after his own and seems a far more capable leader than the Regents as a whole, he reveals to Yabushige in the finale that he driven entirely by ambition, and quite literally planned everything that's occurred in the series, right from the start by knowing that Ishido will immediately try to have him ousted from the council and taking advantage of that to sow discord among them. While he didn't directly order every act, he knew exactly what would happen, when, how it would play out and how to take advantage of it. And despite showing him kindness, it becomes quite apparent that Blackthorne is nothing more than a useful asset to him, and has no plans of letting him ever leave Japan. This squarely places him as a Villain Protagonist.
• Bling of War: Toranaga's personal armor is a very elaborate and stylized black-and-gold set, which Mariko says hews closer to the traditional style of the Minowara Shogunate.^note In Real Life technical terms, it is still a tosei-gusoku (the modernized armor of the Sengoku Period), but with enough design attributes from the classical o-yoroi (the one in use during the Kamakura Shogunate). Blackthorne seeing it gives him the impression that, despite public pronouncements to the contrary, Toranaga does have the ambition to claim the title of Shogun.
• Briar Patching: The entirety of his actions throughout "Ladies of the Willow World", "A Stick of Time" and "The Abyss of Life" turns out to be an elaborate and bloody version. By setting himself up in a way that his unreliable half-brother Saeki is given the opportunity to betray him and undermine his purported "Crimson Sky" strategy, he portrays himself at his weakest and lowest possible. Even the death of his ill-thinking son Nagakado feeds into his plan, as it continues to make him look weaker, defeated, and with zero prospects for the future. He piles on this by deliberately acting sick and depressed. Furthermore, as it demoralizes his own retainers (culminating in his Old Retainer Hiromatsu's pre-planned protest-by-Seppuku), it finally helps sell to his enemies that he is indeed down and out, on the way to surrender to Osaka. The time this buys him, together with him amassing all of his resources in Osaka, is likely all part of his endgame.
• Bunny-Ears Lawyer:
  • He is just as stoic and deadly-serious as the other Regents, but he nonetheless has a reputation for being an eccentric trickster. When he asks John to teach him how to dive, he opts to simply watch him at the beginning. Over. And Over. And Over. And over and over and over and over, and for extra measure, over again. After John is completely exhausted (and more than reasonably annoyed), only then does he finally jump in and then challenge him to a swimming race.
  • He agrees that the Jesuits can have a plot of land in Edo to build a church — which just so happens to be right next door to the land he granted to Madam Gin to build her courtesans' guild.
• The Chains of Commanding: Throughout his screen time, Toranaga enjoys the loyalty of his men, his son and his followers, yet clearly cannot find any genuine equal amongst them. Meeting Blackthorne is the first time he seems to have found someone as equally unorthodox and unbound by rules as him. At the same time, he also has the serious misfortune of having his enemies consolidate under Ochiba, the earthquake of Ajiro damaging his armies, and the interpersonal dramas surrounding Blackthorne, Mariko, Buntaro, Omi and Nagakado coming to a head — all at roughly the same time, with him genuinely annoyed that everyone can't seem to focus on the big picture as him. The extent to which he suffers culminates in "The Abyss of Life": In order to genuinely spring his endgame, he not only has to exploit the death of his son giving him a mourning period, he also has to allow his lifelong mentor Hiromatsu to commit seppuku as part of a show that fully sells their Briar Patching gambit to his enemies.
• The Chessmaster: Throughout out the series, he's carefully manipulated every single person and situation , with no one the wiser of what's really going on until it's too late. By series end, he's on the path to becoming the future Shogun, exactly as he planned.
• A Child Shall Lead Them: Toranaga won his first battle against rival clan leader Mizoguchi at the implausibly-young age of 12. This is deconstructed, however, in that while Toranaga commanding and winning a battle as a child is possible, performing the expected duties of a swordsman was still beyond him — such that when he serves as the second in Mizoguchi's seppuku, he botches the man's decapitation.
• Composite Character: He takes Hiromatsu's role in decapitating Yabu when the latter commits seppuku.
• Establishing Character Moment: Toranaga is introduced engaged in falconry with his son — an appropriately warrior-like pursuit. His description of the hawk's attributes may as well be a personal manifesto of how he operates.
  Toranaga: (about the hawk) Conceals herself against the sun. Conserving energy, waiting for her moment. You might never even know she's there.
• Everybody Has Standards: Toranaga is ruthless and more than willing to kill in cold blood, but he's also a man who values respect amongst his men, including their families. Once he learned that Buntaro has physically abused Mariko and insulted Blackthorne, who saved Toranaga's life twice now, Toranaga was furious. Had it not been for Buntaro risking his life to stay behind to save everyone, along with several of his men killed from the earthquake, he may have had him killed for his selfishness.
• Genre Savvy: He is rarely wrong-footed even when he is most disadvantaged. Blackthorne's arrival on the scene was not in his calculation, but he immediately pounced on his situation as a way to sow dissent amongst the Regents. He is also clearly Crazy-Prepared enough to switch rooms with Blackthorne — which comes very handy when a shinobi assassin sneaks in, therefore allowing him to determine who sent them based on who is targeted.
• Good Is Not Nice: Only for a given level of "good"; after all, he is still a ruthless daimyo. As shown in the case of Blackthorne's assassination attempt, he swiftly and casually slashes the throat of his treasonous female attendant and lets her bleed out.
• Happily Married: His scenes with his consort Lady Kiri are playful, which suggests he still loves her even after years of marriage.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Toranaga is ruthless, secretive and has a bit of a temper. However, once you get to earn his respect and see the position he's in it's hard not to understand why he's this way. Underneath it all, Toranaga is a noble well-intentioned man who cares greatly for his people, listens to the advice of others, and comes to develop a genuine respect for Blackthorne for his skills and saving his life twice now.
• Master Swordsman: The first indicator of this we're shown is the split-second slash to the throat he swings at the shinobi assassin rampaging through his mansion.
• Not So Above It All: In their final conversation, Yabushige realizes that Toranaga is privately just as ambitious and power-hungry as he and the other Regents are, even if he maintains a more noble and humble façade.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: The character as Clavell wrote it was loosely based on Tokugawa Ieyasu. This production (likely due to Hiroyuki Sanada's influence) hews very closely to this, to the point of openly using the Tokugawa emblem for him and his house.
• Offered the Crown: On his deathbed, the Taiko offered to make Toranaga the sole Regent over Japan until his son and heir came of age. Toranaga refused as that would give reason for his rivals to unite against him, so he proposed the Council as an alternative.
• Parental Substitute: Their relationship is far too formal and professional, but Toranaga has clearly treated Mariko the best among her elders—even more so than her father-in-law Hiromatsu. It is Toranaga who keeps reminding Mariko of her value and duty to her late father, indulges and cultivates her talents, and is even the one to deliver the wake-up scolding when her affair with Blackthorne is clearly beginning to wear at her emotionally and intellectually.
• Royal Blood: It is mentioned that he is a descendent of the “Minowara” clan^note i.e. the Minamoto clan that established the Kamakura Shogunate and whose Ashikaga descendants built the Muromachi Shogunate. In real life this is why Toyotomi Hideyoshi could not plausibly claim the title, since he came from a peasant background. The Tokugawa clan may have forged their genealogy, however. and that he should advance a claim to the Shogunate on those grounds.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: In contrast to the more elite Regents who are far more bureaucratic and slow to get their hands dirty, Lord Toranaga is very active in his community of Osaka and is very hands-on with both his leadership and his place in the war.
• The Trickster: The show emphasises that his greatest asset is his ability to outthink his opponents and Mariko states that even at a young age, he was well known for his cleverness and trickery.
• Villain Protagonist: The finale drives it home that whatever noble qualities he might project, deep down Toranaga is an incredibly ambitious man who cares only for taking power for himself, and he sees even his loyal retainers as nothing more than tools to get the results he wants.
• War Is Hell: He proclaims this belief, and with good reason; He has been leading armies since he was twelve, and knows better than almost any other character just how brutal battles can be. This is why he appears hesitant to start an outright war with the Regents.
  Nagakado: Father. What have you decided? Do we die with blood on our swords?
  Toranaga: (sighs) Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one?
• Where Did We Go Wrong?: He's often understandably frustrated by his Hot-Blooded son Nagakado’s reckless antics. The young samurai is angling to prove himself useful to his father, but Toranaga thinks his son is still too consumed by a simplistic Black-and-White Morality that prevents him from acting strategically. His assessment seems proven right with Nagakado's premeditated massacre of Jozen and his men, although it turns out that he's more annoyed that Nagakado was a pawn of Omi as opposed to thinking of it himself. However, Toranaga is genuinely heartbroken when his son dies in an accident.

Yoshii Nagakado

Young Lord Yoshii Nagakado (吉井 長門)

"Everyone thinks I'm useless. Just a spoiled, soft-handed Minowara brat. But someone needs to stand up for our name."

Played By: Yuki Kura

Toranaga's reckless son and heir who’s desperate to live up to his father’s legacy.

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• Anti-Nepotism: Toranaga's relationship with him is paternal enough, but he can be emotionally harsh when Nagakado makes ill-thought decisions or actions. It likely roots from his sense that Nagakado, at his age, has not yet developed the insight he should have.
• Didn't Think This Through: One of his fatal flaws. He does things without thinking things through, resulting in making things worse for his father and everybody else. This lack of foresight ends up costing him his life.
• Do Wrong, Right: Toranaga's scolding of him regarding his massacre of Jozen is actually less about the fact that he did it — he revealed as much to Yabushige and Omi that killing Jozen had to be done anyway — and more the fact that he did it on the subtle prodding of Omi, and without his say-so. That he, Toranaga's heir, is easily manipulated does not speak well for his status as heir.
• Epic Fail: There's really no other way to describe how badly he botches his attempted assassination of his traitorous uncle Saeki. While he manages to take him off-guard in the bathhouse without arms or armour to protect him, his small number of followers are able to hold off Saeki's bodyguards at the cost of their lives, and Saeki's attempt to flee merely results in him slipping and lying prone on the ground before him... when Nagakado steps forwards to deliver the killing blow, he slips on the same rock Saeki did and does an almost comical pratfall backwards, landing with his head squarely breaking on another rock. Saeki doesn't even rejoice in his good fortune or mock Nagakado's screw-up; he's genuinely stunned at just how badly his nephew messed up a perfect opportunity to kill him and giving himself the most Undignifed Death possible through sheer incompetency.
• Fatal Flaw: Recklessness and impatience are serious issues for him:
  • Decimating Jozen and his men without waiting for his father's approval becomes a premature declaration of war.
  • His later assassination attempt on Saeki fails because of the pouring rain causing him to slip and fall to his death when running after his uncle. Nothing indicates that he sought approval for this attempt either.
• Hot-Blooded: As shown throughout his appearances, Nagakado tends to mouth off and provoke fights against his superiors/elders—especially when he shouldn't. This is implied to be one of the reasons why Toranaga hesitates to involve him in his strategies fully.
• Inferiority Superiority Complex: Being born a Minowara and the son of Toranaga gives him much to live up to, and seemingly not much opportunities to do so. This rankles him to no end (what with Toranaga's seeming mistrust of his abilities). This ends up directly motivating him to attack Nebara Jozen's entourage, nominally guests of Yabushige, with the cannons Blackthorne has been training the men of Izu with — dealing them a horrific Cruel and Unusual Death that's all but guaranteed to start the war.
• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Nagakado's stunt of massacring Nebara Jozen's retinue with artillery rightfully horrifies everyone onsite, with Mariko chillingly noting that their side has essentially fired the first shot of the upcoming war amongst the Regents. Directly impacting him, this also compels Toranaga to strip him of command and give it to Omi, as another object lesson.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Production notes suggest he is based off Matsudaira Tadayoshi, Ieyasu's fourth son who is actually present as a Frontline General at the Battle of Sekigahara. At the same time, Nagakado's character also borrows from other fictional portrayals of the young Tokugawa Hidetada, Ieyasu's eldest son and successor to the Shogunate who has made strategic mistakes in his military career. Nagakado, however, is unfortunate enough to not enjoy either son's survival.
• Too Dumb to Live: Dies in "A Stick of Time" trying to kill his treacherous uncle. Yet he had no plan or way of thinking of how to do it, and dies slipping on a wet rock cracking his skull open.
• Undignified Death: Slips on a wet rock and breaks his head open while trying to assassinate his traitorous uncle Saeki in "A Stick of Time" — a far cry from the Dying Moment of Awesome he was talking about earlier.
• "Well Done, Son" Guy: Yearns for Toranaga's approval, but he's so innocent that he lacks his father's Guile Hero qualities. His desire to prove himself paves the way for his manipulation by Omi into decimating Nebara Jozen and his forces, in (supposed) payment for their disrespect towards his father. Ironically, Nagakado proves the most useful to his father when he dies, since the customary month of mourning for his son buys Toranaga some more precious time to organise his schemes against Ochiba and Ishido.

Saeki Nobutatsu

Lord Saeki Nobutatsu (佐伯 信辰) of the Yuzenji

"Death... is just a lonely path in the woods."

Played By: Eita Okuno

The younger half-brother of Toranaga, Saeki is a flamboyant samurai lord who has long stood under the great warlord's shadow.

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• Authority in Name Only: Saeki is under no illusion that being offered a seat on the Council of Regents makes him anything but a tool of Ishido and Ochiba's schemes. He still thinks it's a cushy enough position to be known for and to finally one-up his half-brother Toranaga.
• Bling of War: Contrasting Toranaga's gold-and-black armor ensemble and earth-tone kimonos, Saeki's wardrobe (both armor and robes) is almost always a mix of white and silver, standing out whatever the environment.
• Cain and Abel: Despite being the younger brother, Saeki proves to be the more villainous for accepting the offer to be a new Regent in exchange for supporting Toranaga's death sentence.
• The Dandy: Saeki sports a selection of striking silver outfits, has a taste for women, and exhibits a distinct lack of martial reputation (at least compared to Toranaga).
• Jade-Colored Glasses: Unlike his nephew Nagakado, Saeki has clearly seen enough of war and bloodshed that he similarly looks down on his naivete — about the one thing he shares with his half-brother Toranaga. He doesn't even take pleasure when Nagakado manages to get himself killed in the process of trying to assassinate him, only looking at his dying nephew with withering disappointment.
• Jerkass Has a Point: Saeki may be a treacherous bastard, but he's clearly speaking sincerely and from experience when he tries to discourage Nagakado from seeking death in battle.
• Samurai Ponytail: There are many examples in the series, but Saeki’s is closest to the archetypal full, long topknot tied high on the crown of the head.
• Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond: Considering how practically everyone beyond his enemies practically worship Toranaga's footsteps, it is more remarkable that Saeki, his own half-brother, doesn't seem to extend him any respect.
• Wild Card: Saeki's emotional distance from Toranaga and his unruly personality makes his reliability for Toranaga's "Crimson Sky" attack operation very shaky. They were right to be wary of him.

House of Toda

Toda Hiromatsu

General Toda Hiromatsu (戸田 広松)

"[T]hey died because they belonged to a greater fight. And now... it's your turn."

Played By: Tokuma Nishioka

Lord Toranaga's second in command, trusted friend and advisor. Father-in-law to Toda Mariko.

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• Cool Old Guy: An experienced, battle-hardened samurai in his own right.
• Deadpan Snarker: Occasionally, such as when questioning Yabushige's loyalty, or delivering Toranaga's resignation to the Council of Regents, effectively preventing them from being able to reach a quorum.
  (To Yabushige): So sorry... it was my understanding that you were loyal to our lord. (grasps katana)
• Dumb Muscle: Hiromatsu is in no way brainless (clearly evoking having been Taught by Experience just by his screen presence alone). However, he openly admits he does not have the mind for the kind of Gambit Pileup Toranaga relishes engaging in. It's to the point that Toranaga plainly states Mariko has more intuition than him.
• Good Scars, Evil Scars: Has a prominent scar on his cheek.
• No Hero to His Valet: While Hiromatsu deeply respects Toranaga enough, he attended Toranaga from since he was a 12-year old general to the embattled daimyo he is now. In his words, he's "stood by [his] side since [he was] a piss-dripping boy." This gives Hiromatsu a lot of latitude and openness as an Honest Advisor. This is further weaponized in that Hiromatsu's elevated position means his death-by-seppuku better sells the illusion that Toranaga is clearly on his last legs.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: His position and personality invokes a number of personalities. First is Hosokawa Fujitaka, a veteran daimyo of the Sengoku Period who also happens to be Gracia's (Mariko's) father-in-law. Second is Honda Tadakatsu, Ieyasu's much battle-hardened Old Retainer. The fact that Hiromatsu had to die via Seppuku in order to advance Toranaga's scheme is also comparable to Torii Mototada, a childhood friend of Ieyasu who had to Hold the Line for him and buy time for the Eastern Army during the Sekigahara campaign.
• Parents as People: Consciously or not, Hiromatsu's position as patriarch of his household impacts his scions. It's all but implied in the dialogue (as well as supplementary material on the show's website) that his unbending personality clearly rubbed off his own son Hirokatsu/Buntaro, which negatively impacts his marriage with Mariko. Furthermore, despite clearly having a softer spot for his granddaughter Fuji, he barely comforts her beyond reminding her of her samurai family duties — leaving the emotional commiseration to Mariko.
• Sacrificial Lion: Immediately after Nagakado's Undignified Death, Hiromatsu is the first character of major consequence in Toranaga's retinue to die — all as part of a Thanatos Gambit to deceive Toranaga's enemies.
• Thanatos Gambit: Hiromatsu's seppuku is revealed to be something he and Toranaga have contrived as a show for the retainers — to harden the resolve of everyone despite Toranaga's seeming defeatism, sell the illusion that Toranaga has completely given up, and ferret out who among the remaining retainers are likely to flip (i.e. Yabushige). This doesn't make it any easier for Toranaga to lose his lifelong friend and mentor, nor for Buntaro to go through with seconding his father's suicide.
• Undying Loyalty: To Toranaga, as his second-in-command and trusted friend. This trope is actively exploited by both Toranaga and Hiromatsu when they stage his protest-by-Seppuku — in a form of O.O.C. Is Serious Business and Briar Patching that makes Toranaga look like on the verge of defeat so he can make it to Osaka and enact his endgame.

Toda Mariko

Lady Toda Mariko (戸田 鞠子) / "Lady Maria"

"I've learned one truth—that enemies are everywhere and friends nowhere."

Played By: Anna Sawai

A young retainer of Toranaga who acts as his main translator for Blackthorne. She's married to Toda Hirokatsu aka Buntaro.

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• Action Girl: A reserved example. When the situation is dire enough, she's proven to be deadly with a naginata.
• Awful Wedded Life: Her domestic scenes with her husband Buntaro and their son are somewhat strained—probably not helped by Buntaro's clear emotional distance, Stay in the Kitchen stance and over-formality. This is all the more notable considering she and her son are quite gossipy when left by themselves. "Broken to the Fist" shows that Buntaro is also physically abusive to her.
• Broken Bird: Her cool and mostly-distant personality roots from losing her father (Akechi Jinsai) in one of the wars of the pre-Taiko regime. "Broken to the Fist" reveals that her father was forced to commit seppuku after assassinating the previous ruler...but not before being forced to execute her entire family first. Worse is that she's been married for many years to Buntaro, who is an abusive and uncaring husband who belittles her for her heritage and does nothing to commend to her resulting in Mariko being so emotionally cold to him.
• Color Motif: Mariko's kimonos are shown to evolve with her character progression.
  • Before meeting Blackthorne, she tends to wear blue and dark colors, befitting her icy reputation and her loveless marriage. She slowly begins wearing bright-colored clothing after spending more time with Blackthorne up to the Relationship Upgrade and their transition to Star-Crossed Lovers.
  • Her final outfits in "Crimson Sky" carry significant weight: When facing Ishido and Ochiba at court, she wears a black-and-white inner kosode together with her cross pendant. In her attempt to leave Osaka Castle, she also wears a black yet brightly-patterned main kimono. Red tends to be noted outfits for expectant Christian martyrs, and black is de rigeur mourning wear — openly suggesting Mariko knows everything she does at this moment is practically a Suicide Mission. More culturally-appropriate, she wears a white kimono during her attempted protest by suicide as a literal White Shirt of Death. Fatefully, her evening wear as she sleeps with Blackthorne for the last time before she is killed by the explosion caused by Ishido's ninjas is also white.
• Death Seeker: In "Broken to the Fist", she reveals that on the anniversary of her family's massacre, she begs her husband to let her commit seppuku. Instead he tells her to live. She finally meets hers, on her own terms and as part of Toranaga's final gamble, in "Crimson Sky"
• Defiant Captive: After Mariko travels to Osaka on Toranaga's orders, she finds herself a prisoner of Ishido, along with other nobles. While earlier episodes reveal her skill with her naginata — a weapon that specializes in dealing with multiple foes — she can't break through a dozen spear-wielding samurai blocking the castle gates, despite multiple attempts to force her way through.
• Defrosting Ice Queen: As correctly pointed out by her husband Buntaro, Mariko begins to open up to Blackthorne due to their mutual desire for freedom, and talks more with him than she ever has with Buntaro. Her defrosting nature results in a mutual attraction between the two to the point they end up sleeping together and clearly enjoys spending time with Blackthorne.
• Do Not Go Gentle: The entirety of "Crimson Sky" is Mariko's swan song episode. As she and Toranaga planned, her visit to Osaka puts Ishido in the political bind of either releasing the hostages or letting her commit suicide, which either way loses Ishido and Ochiba leverage. She is emotionally weighed down by her son's drift towards Kiyama's influence and Ochiba's hardened stance. Yet, she ultimately achieves her objectives (even at the cost of a number of Toranaga's servants, who fight beside her amidst Ishido's men). Finally, even when she is spared her suicide-by-protest, she is still ultimately endangered and killed by Ishido's men as they blast their way through the heavy door of a storeroom Mariko, Blackthorne and Toranaga's retinue shelter in. Nevertheless, willingly bracing herself against the door, she clearly manages to go out on her own terms, being useful to Toranaga's overall strategy one last time, and even managing to be romantically open to Blackthorne on her last night.
  Mariko: (to Ochiba, as her last goodbye) Accepting death isn't surrender. Flowers are only flowers because they fall.
• Face Death with Dignity: In "Crimson Sky", realizing Ishido will not let her go and intends to keep Toranaga's retinue prisoners or kill them, Mariko stands in front of a heavy door as Ishido's men prepare to blast their way through, calmly accepting her fate to force Ishido into a lose-lose situation while warmly thanking Blackthorne for everything.
• Green-Eyed Monster: She's not too fond of the compliments John and Kiku give each other, and mistranslates several of them on purpose. She also gives an absolutely withering look to John after he and Kiku return to the village the next morning.
• I Am X, Son of Y: Just before she's killed in the explosion set by Ishido's shinobi as they attempt to blast their way into a storeroom sheltering Toranaga's retinue, Mariko proudly proclaims herself to be "Akechi Mariko", invoking her once-shameful maiden name as she prepares to die.
• Ice Queen: She portrays herself in a calm and cold manner, rarely dropping her guard or flinching. Given the life she's had up so far, it's hard to blame her.
• Lady of War: When Toranaga's entourage is attacked as they're trying to escape to the harbour, Mariko grabs a naginata (a type of polearm traditionally wielded by ladies of the samurai class) and demonstrates her proficiency with the weapon, using its additional length to keep katana-wielding soldiers out of reach and slicing at their vulnerable points with great skill. Truth in Television, as during the Sengoku period women of the samurai class and even peasant women often marched to war and went into battle alongside the men, and were expected to be the last line of defence when protecting households, castles, and fortresses.
• Naginatas Are Feminine: Mariko's weapon of choice is a naginata, a type of polearm traditionally wielded by samurai ladies, with the additional length of the weapon allowing her to pivot and strike at the vulnerable points (usually the neck or shins) of katana-wielding soldiers from beyond the range of their own weapons.
• Naturalized Name: She's known as Lady "Maria" when dealing with the Portuguese.
• Nerves of Steel: During her attempt to leave Osaka, she and Toranaga's men are confronted by Ishido's army at the gates. After Toranaga's men all fall to the soldiers and archers, Mariko takes it in stride and begins advancing by herself, studiously ignoring arrows fired within inches of her feet and the numerous spear-wielding soldiers blocking her path, as she knows damn well that they're not allowed to harm her directly. For bonus points, she does so while completely unarmed...until she's handed a naginata, at which point she does her best to cut down as many as she can, even while hugely outnumbered. She eventually gives in to prevent any more of her retinue from being harmed.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: She is based on Hosokawa Gracia (originally born Tamako), one of the most well-known Christian noblewomen of the period. She is also notorious politically for being the daughter of Oda Nobunaga's treacherous general Akechi Mitsuhide (whose last name was kept in Clavell's text).
• Passive-Aggressive Kombat: Mariko is usually diplomacy personified, yet when coming face to face with the jumped-up Regent Ishido at Osaka Castle, who is holding her Lord Toranaga's family hostage, she switches tone to something more arch, reminding Ishido with withering condescension that she is "no mere peasant to be kicked around" (not-so-subtly referencing Ishido's own peasant background), that her family have been samurai for over a thousand years, and finally that she will be leaving Osaka with Toranaga's retinue safely in tow, as is her right as a Lady.
• Relationship Upgrade: Despite her initial wariness of Blackthorne, serving as his interpreter and realizing the uniqueness of his free spirit makes her attracted to him—even as she knows their mindsets and culture remain incompatible. The sequence is obscured by night lights, but it's all but stated that Mariko slips into Blackthorne's room and has sex with him—something he knows and clearly appreciates.
• Sex Changes Everything: Mariko, despite being a pre-Tridentine Catholic, isn't exactly a Moral Guardian and is even nonchalant about non-heteronormative sexualities, whilst extolling the benefits and wifely duty of "pillowing". However, her realization that seducing Blackthorne compromised her own protective 'eight-fold fence', piled upon by the return of her abusive husband, makes her double down solely on her professional relationship with Blackthorne, to their mutual frustration. It takes Kiku's session with them for her to realize she aches as much for Blackthorne as he does her, and it's beginning to be noticeable to everyone, even to Toranaga (to his dismay).
• Silk Hiding Steel: Mariko is an elegant, calm, and quietly composed woman, with strong diplomatic skills, but despite the demure facade, she reveals herself to be resolutely immovable in the face of disloyalty to her Lord, as well as being a badass with her naginata if pushed into combat.
• Suicide Mission: "Crimson Sky" reveals that her going to Osaka with Blackthorne and Yabushige is one. Toranaga sends her to fetch his left-behind wife and consorts (Ladies Kiri and Shizu, together with his infant son). However, since Ishido has de facto held the Regents' families hostage, she will not be allowed to do so. This however puts Ishido's regime in a Sadistic Choice: either let everyone go and lose his leverage, or let Mariko protest via suicide and lose face to the entire population of Osaka. She almost narrowly manages to achieve the second outcome before pressuring Ishido to back down to the first outcome, seemingly sparing her life. However, Ishido's revenge attempt at kidnapping her ultimately leads to her death nonetheless.
• Sympathetic Adulterer: She cheats on her husband with Blackthorne in "The Eightfold Fence". Granted, at the time she (as well as everyone else) thought Buntaro died staying behind to help everyone else escape, but still. Furthermore, even after his return, Buntaro is a cold, selfish man who is physically abusive to Mariko and has the gall to demand respect from her in spite of his vile behavior, so it's hard not to sympathize with her affair.
• Unresolved Sexual Tension: Downplayed. Mariko is clearly attracted to Blackthorne after seeing his more noble and caring side, to the point she sleeps with him when she thinks her husband is dead. However, she tragically sacrifices her life to save everyone at the hands of Ishido to make him lose face. However, just before her death, she and Blackthorne finally acknowledge their love for each other and make love before her death. While it's uncertain if they could have ever been together, at the very least she died content she managed to meet and fall in love with a true honorable man like John Blackthorne.
• Warrior Poet: All samurai are expected to be this but Mariko's poetry is considered the best among the cast and complements her skill with the naginata.
• Women Are Wiser: Mariko is consistently shown to be the only one amongst Toranaga’s court capable of reading his strategic mind. Whereas Yabushige and Hiromatsu (her father-in-law) expresses confusion why Toranaga invests time on the seemingly-irrelevant Blackthorne, Mariko is the only one who immediately sees his value as a bargaining chip.

Usami Fuji

Lady Usami Fuji (宇佐美 藤)

"I can't remain in this world without purpose."

Played By: Moeka Hoshi

The favourite granddaughter of Hiromatsu, niece-by-marriage to Mariko, and loyal to Toranaga despite the immense tragedy that befalls her.

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• Altar Diplomacy: Toranaga makes Blackthorne a hatamoto (high-ranking samurai), but to make it official, Fuji becomes Blackthorne's consort/legal wife.
• Ancestral Weapon: One of her Tragic Keepsakes are the swords belonging to her late father, who is said to have died during Japan's invasion of Korea. As Blackthorne's consort (and in exchange for his granting of one of his pistols to her), she bestows him these swords, which finally gives him the look of a proper hatamoto. Except the whole story is a complete lie: her father died dishonorably and the swords were bought off a drunk samurai to spare her feelings.
• Break the Cutie: Just when things were almost about to look up for her, the reveal that her uncle Buntaro survives (and is ordered to move in at her house) causes significant marital strife between Mariko and Buntaro (who hasn't even heard of her infidelity with Blackthorne)—with Blackthorne and Buntaro almost coming to blows. Blackthorne's further cultural ignorance (with the rotting of Toranaga's pheasant bird causing the death of his gardener Uejiro) causes another rift between her and Blackthorne. Then, just to pile up on this further, an earthquake devastates Ajiro, their entire neighborhood, and part of their house, and Fuji herself nearly dies.
• Broken Bird: In the very first episode "Anjin", Fuji has to endure the loss of her husband and her baby son. The most distressing part, as she rightfully points out, is that it was her husband Tadayuki who made the fatal mistake of insulting Ishido (even if it was in defense of Toranaga). Still, even her innocent son has to take the blame too.
• Character Development: While rightfully grieving her family's loss, Fuji's relative isolation makes her somewhat self-centered. It takes Mariko's continued emotional support, her grandfather Hiromatsu's reminders of her duty, and her appreciation of Blackthorne's necessity to allow her both to a) endure the indignities of Toranaga's escape from Osaka; and b) eventually commiserate with Blackthorne as his consort, even if there's zero love or chemistry between them so far.
• Death Seeker: Mariko has to talk her out of committing suicide, pointing out that Toranaga has ordered her to live.
• Insult Backfire: When Buntaro returns alive in "Broken to the Fist", he coldly questions Fuji what's it like being married to a barbarian. Fuji replies she wouldn't know, as she's married to a Hatamoto. She makes it very clear that, while there is no love between her and Blackthorne, she would happily choose him over Buntaro any day.
• Lady of War: While not to the same extent — or skill — as Mariko, as a samurai Lady, Fuji is also versed in the use of a naginata. While she hasn't gotten a chance yet to use it, she still feels the need to keep up with her training.
• Like Brother and Sister: While she's legally (and reluctantly) married to Blackthorne, their relationship grows more affectionate; there's absolutely no romantic feelings or chemistry between them, but they do come to respect and care for each other.
• Nice Girl: While she initially starts off as quite selfish and unreasonable, she eventually grows to accept her role and becomes a kinder and more amendable person. While she has zero romantic feelings for Blackthorne, she comes to care for him in her own way. And much like a traditional Japanese lady, she is impeccably polite and patient.
• Silk Hiding Steel: To break up a standoff between Blackthorne and Omi (the former refuses to surrender his pistols to the latter) Fuji orders Blackthorne to give the guns to her safekeeping. When the handover is complete and Omi then demands the pistols from her, Fuji — who doesn't even like Blackthorne at this point — calmly aims a pistol at him and tells him to be on his way.
• Undying Loyalty: She wants to die after her husband is ordered to commit suicide and her baby is executed, but Toranaga has ordered that she must live, so she continues to do so. She hates the thought of marrying Blackthorne, but after a brief tantrum she accepts her duty and Toranaga's command. More than that, when Blackthorne gives his guns into her keeping, she refuses to give them up to Omi; yes, he's a 'barbarian', yes, she dislikes him, but he's also her lord and husband.

Toda "Buntaro" Hirokatsu

Toda Hirokatsu (戸田 広勝) / "Buntaro" (文太郎)

Maybe you know why your mother should be anything outside this house?

Played By: Shinnosuke Abe

Mariko's emotionally distant husband, a loyal samurai in the service of Toranaga.

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• Broken Ace: As shown by his skill with a bow and his survival of the Osaka escape, Buntaro is a formidable warrior (and Toranaga clearly values him as such). However, none of this is equalled in his domestic life, where he's emotionally abusive to his son and flat-out physically abusive to Mariko when he returns. There's room to say that his experiences in war have impacted him negatively, but it still doesn't excuse him.
• Domestic Abuse: While Lord Toda is always cold and dismissive of Mariko, "Broken to the Fist" reveals that he is physically abusive towards her.
• Dramatic Irony: Buntaro's return and involvement with the recently-unfaithful Mariko would nominally give him an understandable (if not justifiable) reason to be angry with her. His abuse of her, however, roots entirely from his personal inadequacies.
• Fatal Flaw: When it comes to his marriage to Mariko, Buntaro seems to be oblivious to, or unwilling to accept the fundamental reason why their marriage isn't working. Namely, that Mariko was never really predisposed to him, whatever he does. Everything he does (his attempt at being nice, his trying to be "an imperious husband that should be followed") was likely done hoping a Belated Love Epiphany is still in the cards for them. Having Mariko plainly spell this out to him during their tea ceremony session absolutely crushes him.
• Green-Eyed Monster: He's a loyal, seasoned warrior, but his obvious weakness is the jealousy he feels whenever Mariko pays anyone else — even their own son — any form of attention. Later on, he openly admits he cannot accept that Blackthorne, a barbarian who is far too uncouth, seems to have broken through Mariko's heart when he hasn't despite years of marriage.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: Buntaro is a tinderbox waiting to blow at any moment, with even gentle, innocuous chatting between his wife and son enough to cause an explosive reaction.
• Hate Sink: While Buntaro is a flawed man and a devoted Samurai to Toranaga, behind closed doors he's an abusive, bad-tempered bastard who treats his wife like his own property and doesn't even try to connect to her due to her relationship with her father. He physically abuses Mariko in "Broken to the Fist", and based by Fuji's reaction heavily implies he's done this many times in the past. He's emotionally distant towards her and their son, and treats Blackthorne like shit solely because he's an outsider and because of how jealous he is on how close he and Mariko are. Even after making a genuine effort to reconnect to Mariko in "The Abyss of Life", he demonstrates to having never understood her even years of marriage and she understandably, bluntly rejects his advances, leaving him crying in despair as she leaves. He finally begins to shed some of this by the finale, as one realization after another of what an enormous douchebag he's been have sobered up his personality some.
• Honor Before Reason: To obsessive extremes. His cold (and later flat-out abusive) relationship with Mariko seems to root not from anything she ever did, but more because her lineage (as the daughter of a traitor) dishonors him despite his family's (the Todas') respectability as retainers of Toranaga.
• It's All About Me: He cares little for Mariko's opinions and expects her to do as she's told. Even after returning home he complains about having to live under the same roof as Blackthorne and even complains like a child to Toranaga about Mariko never returning his affections.
• Jerkass: He's cold, humorless, and a terrible husband to Mariko, expecting her to do as she's told while not taking her feelings into account. His only saving grace is that he's brave and loyal to Toranaga, but even he has his limits with Buntaro's behavior.
• Jerkass Has a Point: He harbors deep resentment towards Blackthorne due to the way Mariko looks at him and vice versa. While this is nothing more than sheer jealousy, he's actually not wrong. Mariko had sex with Blackthorne in "The Eightfold Fence" and the two clearly are attracted to each other. Deconstructed, that while Buntaro isn't wrong of his suspicions, his lack of care towards others around him and acting like a selfish asshole about it makes him come off as a Crazy Jealous Guy who wants Blackthorne dead when he has no proof, something Toranaga rightfully points out.
• Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: He's a very cold and cruel man, and shows nothing but contempt and hatred for everyone around him, especially Blackthorne. Even when the latter tries to bond with him and show good faith, Buntaro continues to belittle and insult him, which becomes rapidly clear to Blackthorne. Then, he beats his wife in front of everyone. At this point, the only thing he's respected for in any way by anyone is his martial prowess.
• Kick the Dog: For such an honorable Samurai, Buntaro can be incredibly petty when provoked:
  • After being forced to put up with Blackthorne in his home in spite of the latter trying to be nice, he forces Mariko to stand to show how skilled he is with his bow and arrow, and just narrowly misses her face while drunk just to prove how skilled he is.
  • He then forces Mariko to reveal her father's betrayal to John about her past just to hurt him, an act that drives Mariko to tears. He then proceeds to later beat her for the evening unfairly blaming her for what happened.
• Last Stand: He stays behind to fight against overwhelming odds while Toranaga's retinue escapes at sea. He's last seen leading a small army into a building, fighting for his life. He manages to survive this, amazingly.
• Master Archer: Buntaro is a crack shot with his yumi bow, even when trollied on sake — as seen when, in a fit of drunken pique, he fires an arrow that sails just in front of Mariko's face and through a paper screen door, followed by a second arrow that he manages to fire through the exact same hole. Blackthorne is impressed, but disturbed by Buntaro's skill.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Buntaro's direct counterpart is Hosokawa Tadaoki, Gracia's (the basis for Mariko's) husband. Tadaoki and Gracia were said to be a more loving couple in Real Life (to the point that avenging Gracia's death was Tadaoki's direct motivation for supporting Tokugawa Ieyasu at Sekigahara). However, they also had episodes of marital strife (which reflects in Mariko and Buntaro's fractious home life).
• One-Man Army: A veritable monster of a warrior, capable of taking on hundreds of men at once and surviving the ordeal (albeit with severe injuries and mental trauma). This is implied to be the only reason he's so highly esteemed despite being sexist and racist to levels that are borderline unacceptable even for the standards of Japan in 1600.
• Patricide: His own father Hiromatsu orders him to act as kaishakunin (second) when he commits seppuku.
• Pet the Dog: He performs a very elaborate tea ceremony with Mariko to appeal to her in "The Abyss of Life", which is said to be a very romantic gesture on his part and an effort to try to make amends with her before they die. Deconstructed, that a single act of kindness isn't nowhere near enough to make up for years of abuse and neglect, resulting in a understandably angry Mariko to tell him off that even now he still knows nothing about her and rejects him for the last time.
• Reports of My Death Were Greatly Exaggerated: He’s given an Uncertain Doom due to his You Shall Not Pass! moment against Ishido's forces pursuing Toranaga — but he is then revealed to have survived, causing much grief to both Mariko and Blackthorne.
• Shell-Shocked Veteran: Buntaro's reluctance to tell how he survived fighting his way out of Osaka (with his Dwindling Party) suggests he is suffering from this. The constant Thousand-Yard Stare and his general irritability (culminating in his Domestic Abuse of Mariko) is documented behavior of soldiers (active and retired) suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Stay in the Kitchen: His most notable attribute for most of his screentime is quashing his son's perceived softness and Mariko's independence outside his view. Not without reason, it's the source of tension in their marriage.
• Took a Level in Kindness: It's very subtle, but the finale hints that he's gotten over his petty grudge for Blackthorne, as he appears before him, respectfully bows, and without a word immediately begins to help him pull the wreckage of the Erasmus from the water. If nothing else and at the very least, the emotional wringer he's gone through by that point has made him realize what an utter dick he's been to everyone, and this is the first step towards changing that.
• Wants a Prize for Basic Decency: He complains to Toranaga that Mariko has been so cold with him, and he feels she owes it to him to soften up for sparing her life upon her father's betrayal.
• "Well Done, Son" Guy: In his very first scene with his father Hiromatsu, he was actively denied to join Toranaga's dinner and calls on Mariko instead—already suggesting that the wife he verbally abuses has more political weight to his father and Toranaga than him. The sequence leading to Hiromatsu's seppuku leads to him being chosen as his father's second, but denied his desire to follow him in death. Hiromatsu subtly lets his son know that this is partly because he has disappointed him by his character and his treatment of his wife.
• William Telling: In "Broken to the Fist", he demonstrates his skill with the bow by ordering Mariko to stand stock still while he shoots within a hair's breadth of her face. She doesn't flinch, and he doesn't shoot her, but since Buntaro was seriously drunk at the time, it was far from a sure shot.
• Would Hit a Girl: He's physically abusive towards Mariko, as shown in "Broken to the Fist". Fuji's reaction towards her beaten face heavily implies this is not the first time he's done this to her.

House of Kashigi

Kashigi Yabushige

Lord Kashigi Yabushige (樫木 藪重), Daimyo of Izu

"Why tell a dead man the future?"

Played By: Tadanobu Asano

Lord of Izu Province and retainer of Toranaga, Yabushige is the first Japanese noble to meet with Blackthorne when he is stranded in Japan.

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• Affably Evil: For such a horrible person, he's a shockingly, genuinely friendly and chill to his fellow Samurai.
• Bad Boss: Played with. From his introduction, Yabushige embodies the worst possible stereotype of a Sengoku Period warlord: cruel to his peasant subordinates, inflicts Cruel and Unusual Death to the hapless Dutch sailor by boiling him alive, and indulges in Kiku's courtesan services. Yet as the story goes on, his Evil Virtues as a warrior are presented.
• Bling of War: Yabushige's armor is a unique emerald ensemble◊, with the cuirass portraying a dragon with gold antlers in flight.
• Dirty Coward: He'll do anything for the sake of his own survival, even abandoning everyone else to do so. In "The Abyss of Life", after witnessing Hiromatsu commit Sepukku in front of Toranaga, Yabushige decides to cut his losses and leave with Blackthorne. He once again proves his cowardice in "Crimson Sky", as seen when his complicity in Mariko's kidnapping (while still presenting as Toranaga's ally) inadvertently traps him in a storage room with Mariko, Toranaga's consorts and Blackthorne. He is left frozen in fear as Mariko blocks the door and is killed by the explosion as Ishido's men blast their way in. The official podcast claims this is the first time he is actually confronted by a direct casualty of his betrayals.
• Double Agent: He is trying to work for Toranaga and Ishido simultaneously. Unfortunately for him, both of them know what's going on.
• Establishing Character Moment: He seizes Blackthorne's ship for himself and gleefully tells his nephew that he will keep it a secret from Toranaga. Then Hiromatsu shows up and demands custody of the ship, prompting Yabushige to backtrack and claim that it was a gift for Toranaga all along. In the background, his nephew cringes.
• Even Evil Has Standards: As it turns out, Sacred Hospitality is his. Sure, he's mostly currying favor with Nebara Jozen (Ishido's right-hand man) to maintain his Double Agent ruse. Still, he has never shown open malevolent designs to any of his guests (Toranaga or Ishido). Nagakado's brutal cannon assault that massacred Jozen and his men is too much even for him (and remember, this is the man who boiled a Dutch sailor alive).
• Freudian Excuse: As shown in his session with Kiku the courtesan (as well as his desire to understand death by having people cruelly executed), Yabushige is apparently the kind of person who would rather see something interesting/harmful happen to someone else instead of experiencing it himself. His episode of almost drowning while trying to save Rodrigues (and ultimately deciding on seppuku when it looks hopeless) is the first moment he puts his life on the line.
• Go Out with a Smile: Gives Toranaga a knowing smirk just before the former chops his head off as part of the seppuku process.
• Green-Eyed Monster: Yabushige throwing a tantrum in the aftermath of Jozen's massacre-by-cannon gives this impression — especially as it seems his own plots and Double Agent shenanigans have been netting him nowhere near what he wants — yet Omi, innocuously, has managed to get himself an in with Toranaga far more than he ever could.
• Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: To such a degree where he makes even Ishido look like a chessmaster. Virtually nothing goes right for him, and he continually overplays his hand. To make matters worse, virtually everyone knows this about him, making him hilariously easy to predict and manipulate.
• Jerkass: Yabushige is the rudest of the Japanese people Blackthorne meets, frequently insulting and humiliating the Englishman in front of his subordinates.
• My God, What Have I Done?: His final betrayal leading to Mariko's death completely breaks him to the point that he prefers being tortured to a dishonorable death rather than commit seppuku at Toranaga's orders because he thinks that's what he deserves.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Production notes imply he is based on Honda Masanobu — a Tokugawa retainer who previously broke ranks with Ieyasu before returning to his service. This is seemingly-reflected in his shifting/uncertain loyalties. Masanobu is not recorded to have had any degenerate character traits as Yabushige, however.
• Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: It rapidly becomes clear that despite his top dog position in Izu and opinion of himself as a player who can manipulate people Yabushige is far, far outclassed by the likes of Toranaga, who effectively steals his army out from under him with very little effort.
• Oh, Crap!: Several times, but especially in the aftermath of the attack on Jozen when he realizes things are officially out of his control.
• Sanity Slippage: Mariko's death being a direct result of his treachery completely breaks him mentally, and he spends the final episode as little more than a rambling hot mess. It isn't until his final moments that he finally comes to his senses, realizes that Toranaga has been playing everyone and finally accepts his role and fate as the ordained traitor who's now outlived his usefulness.
• Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: In "The Abyss of Life", after witnessing Hiromatsu killing himself and Toranaga seemingly giving up, Yabushige decides to leave with Blackthorne in order to avoid death at Osaka. And again in "A Dream of a Dream", where after they are allowed to leave Osaka, Yabushige begs Blackthorne to take his ship in order for them to leave Japan together and sail for England (although this plan is quickly abandoned when it's discovered that the Erasmus has been destroyed).
• Verbal Tic: Near-constantly scoffing, chortling, or otherwise grunting in response to his surroundings.

Kashigi Omi

Kashigi Omi (樫木 央海), Daimyo of Ajiro

"A lord who possesses a ship with these weapons would make a valuable ally to anyone."

Played By: Hiroto Kanai

The son of Yabushige's brother (therefore his nephew), Omi is the de facto local leader of the fishing village of Ajiro (where Blackthorne and the Erasmus washes up). His encounter with Blackthorne and the political chaos his presence unleashes gives him an opportunity to rise amongst the chaos.

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• Batman Gambit: The entire affair over the cannons ends very positively for him (being given command of the artillery unit) — and negatively for everyone else (Nagakado being stripped of command, Yabushige having to contend with the fact that his own nephew is now in better footing with Toranaga than him). It's somewhat ambiguous, but considering his reactions over Jozen's death (and his direct involvement in Nagakado and Yabushige's decisions in "The Eightfold Fence"), one's inclined to think he did plan this for his benefit.
• Deliberate Values Dissonance: Omi, despite being a nominally sober and reasonable person, is still a samurai during a war-torn age. This explains his much-disdainful treatment of Blackthorne (to the point of pissing on him), not to mention casually beheading a Christian peasant who disobeys him.
• Elite Man–Courtesan Romance: Heavily implied to be in such a relationship with Kiku, a high-class courtesan. When Toranaga arranges for Blackthorne to spend the night with her, neither of them are happy about it.
• Everyone Has Standards: He's visibly disturbed by a Dutch sailor being boiled alive on his uncle's order.
• First Contact: Omi's encounter with the Erasmus in the opening scenes of "Anjin" is framed as such, what with him being the first samurai in the show to encounter Blackthorne's Dutch crew (who are dying of starvation) and discovering the wealth they possess.
• Foil: As per the official podcast, Omi and Nagakado are portrayed as such due to their closeness in age, with Nagakado being a privileged but impatient young master, and Omi a lower-ranking samurai retainer who had to develop his wits in order to be of use to "better men".
• Hypercompetent Sidekick: In most of their scenes together, Omi appears way brighter than Yabushige, seeing the asset that Blackthorne and his weaponry represent, seeing the value of behaving and remaining onside with Toranaga, while at the same time positioning himself (and therefore Yabushige) in a way that will help them maintain links with Toranaga's enemy Ishido. He begins to notice this, and even begins to listen to Kiku when she suggests maybe things would be better off if he were Lord of Izu instead of his uncle. Toranaga himself begins to notice this, and — in the fallout of Nagakado's massacre of Jozen — strips his son of command of the artillery and then gives it to Omi.
• It's Personal: He and Blackthorne are naturally opposed to the other on their first meeting, despite ironically calling the other "savages" in their native tongue during the shouting match. Blackthorne's opinion of him isn't helped any by Omi choosing to pin him underfoot and urinate on his head as a gesture of contempt and how lowly the foreigner's status is in Japan. When next they meet after Blackthorne has been elevated to Hamatoto by Toranaga, he cheerfully exploits the Language Barrier and his poor grasp of Japanese to fluently insult Omi right to his face in Portuguese whilst being respectful to him in what few Japanese phrases he has picked up with a smile on his face. When Omi comes to force Blackthorne to surrender his pistols to him, both men make it clear they're willing to escalate the argument to lethal violence between them if not for Mariko playing the mediator. He takes umbrage at John's promotion to General of Toranaga's cannon regiment for saving his life from the landslide, only for Yabushige to incredulously note he's more focused over the issues with a single barbarian rather than the impending war their now badly-damaged side is about to get involved in.
• The Mole: It's indicated that Omi has been functioning as one of Toranaga's many spies, specifically against Yabushige, since at least the time of Blackthorne's arrival in Japan; definitively by his relaying a message of Yabushige's regretful words after Mariko's death as an indication of betrayal against Toranaga, but also implicitly by Toranaga noting to Yabushige "Why tell a dead man the future?" when preparing to behead him - the exact same phrase Yabushige had used when justifying to Omi why he was keeping Blackthorne's retrieved cannons a secret from Toranaga as the latter was facing impeachment and execution.
• Never Speak Ill of the Dead: At the meal following Nagakado's funeral, the older lords speak of the boy in disparaging and mocking tones. Omi, having truly valued Nagakado as a friend despite all his manipulations of the young man, is upset by this, and puts an end to it with a heartfelt speech about Nagakado's courage and sense of duty, as well a dire reminder to the others of the perilous state they are now in.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: He is allegedly based on the Tokugawa retainer Honda Masazumi, the son of Honda Masanobu who rose through the ranks and ended up becoming a high-ranking Shogunate roju/adviser. Unlike Masazumi, however, Omi is merely Yabushige's nephew instead of his son.
• Not So Above It All: In his first appearances, the impression is given that he's a bit more strait-laced and less degenerate than his uncle Yabushige (who enjoys boiling people alive). When he returns to the narrative in ''The Eightfold Fence", we see he's even more willing to indulge in the services of the courtesan Kiku, and is beginning to listen to her suggestions that he might be a better leader than Yabushige. And that's not even getting into what he leads Nagakado into doing against Jozen and his men. His character for the most part gives the impression he's mostly out for himself (or perhaps his mother). "The Abyss of Life" shows him losing all composure, as he is the most openly distraught at Nagakado's accidental death and Hiromatsu's seppuku.
• Toxic Friend Influence: Omi lends a ready ear to the Hot-Blooded Nagakado, who resents being left out of Toranaga's strategies. It's due to their conversation and their mutual suspicion of Nebara Jozen that leads to Nagakado raining cannonballs on Jozen's retinue, killing them as an act of provocation. He is noticeably pleased in seeing the carnage the cannons caused. Even still, he genuinely cared for Nagakado as a friend, and took his death the hardest in "The Abyss of Life" as he fights back tears at his funeral.

Notable Servants and Underlings

Muraji

"Muraji" (村次) / Tonomoto Akinao (殿本彰尚)

"I beg you in the name of decency. Please, in Japan, must be good."

Played By: Yasunari Takeshima

The Christian village headman in the fishing village of Ajiro, he is the first person to see the Erasmus arrive in Japan. In truth, he is a longtime samurai in Toranaga's service, and has been acting as a spy in the village for him.

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• Chekhov's Gunman: He's among the first to give Blackthorne some idea what's going on when he arrived (among the many Mr. Exposition in the story), especially the dangers of dealing with Yabushige and Omi. The reveal of his allegiance to Toranaga gives this greater weight as him protecting his lord's potential Wild Card asset.
• Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Muraji tends to go about town in a very harmless fashion, and gives off the air of someone hesitant to be involved in any trouble. The reveal that he's Toranaga's spy in Yabushige's territory, and successful enough to remain undiscovered for years, shows he's anything but.
• Cunning Linguist: Apart from the haggard Portuguese priest in Ajiro, his being a Christian gives him limited fluency in Portuguese, a lifesaver for Blackthorne when he first arrived. The reveal of his being an undercover samurai gives the impression he might in fact be underplaying his skills. He reveals in "A Dream of a Dream", when Blackthorne confronts Toranaga, that he is in fact almost as fluent in it as Mariko, give or take a heavy accent.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: The death of Blackthorne's gardener Uejirou (primarily due to Blackthorne's Poor Communication Kills) happened around the time a) Yabushige and Omi are closing in on his spying activities; and b) an earthquake devastated Ajiro. Muraji saw it fit to plant evidence on the now-dead Uejirou's house to throw them off the scent. This also essentially makes Uejirou's death more meaningful and serving Toranaga's cause, instead of being wholly pointless.
• Literal-Minded: Played for Laughs. While he's not as good a translator as Mariko, he's still competent enough to do a decent job. That said, he's not exactly good with social cues. When Blackthorne tries to hype up the crowd helping with the ship by hurling various insults at them that they cannot understand, Muraji very nearly attempts to translate them word-for-word.
• The Mole: What he is revealed to be, working for Toranaga to give him complete intel on Yabushige's movements. As he is also working under Omi and a respected authority in the village, he is also Mole in Charge.
• Nice Guy: He is never anything less than extremely polite and kind - if a bit meek, and is arguably the first real friend Blackthorne makes in Japan. Even after his true role and cunning as a samurai and spy are revealed, he is still as friendly as ever.
• Ninja: As per The Mole above, he has been undercover for quite a while now in Ajiro, maintaining an entire flock of hidden carrier pigeons with which he can communicate with Toranaga — even while he was imprisoned in Osaka. The further reveal of him actually being a samurai long-retained by Toranaga also coincidentally makes him a Samurai Shinobi.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Likely unintentional (especially as Muraji, both in the novel and in the 1980 series) is not noted to have direct counterparts. At the same time, his broad role is somewhat comparable to Tokugawa Ieyasu's famous Samurai Shinobi retainer, Hattori Hanzō.

Kiku

O-Kiku (お菊)

"If only you were our lord."

Played By: Youka Kouri

The most deft and renowned courtesan in Izu, with ambitions for both herself and Omi, one of her most ardent clients.

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• Excellent Judge of Character: Kiku's highest value as a courtesan is in reading the interests and angsts of her clients/visitors. Practically every encounter with her is unique and tailor-fit.
  • With Yabushige, the scary and cruel man who is revealed to be someone who's actually scared to put his life on the line, she instead puts on a sexual show with Yabushige's page. This piques the man's interest and lets them continue.
  • With Omi, the young buck angling for power, she has sex with him and plays the Dark Mistress role pretty straightforward. She motivates him, feeds his ego, and even tempts him to become more openly ambitious. This leaves Omi under her thrall and expectedly jealous of her other callers.
  • When invited for a session between Blackthorne (with Mariko translating), she immediately cottons on their Unresolved Sexual Tension (especially since they've been intimate before). She very slyly positions herself away, with nothing between Mariko and Blackthorne, while letting Mariko translate her seductive Japanese dialogue to Blackthorne as a form of Audio Erotica Three-Way Sex.
  • Her session with Saeki might appear generic for modern audiences (Erotic Asphyxiation while he plows away at her); that said, it may also be a form of O.O.C. Is Serious Business — as her setup (which allows her to surreptitiously leave him) opens the opportunity for Nagakado's attempted assassination of him.
• Floral Theme Naming: The name Kiku means 'Chrysanthemum', which is the representative flower of Japan, as the rose is for England. In-series, she is often addressed and referred to as 'O-Kiku', with the polite (now out-of-style) prefix 'O-' denoting admiration and respect; (very) literally 'esteemed Kiku' or 'dear Kiku'.
• High-Class Call Girl: The top courtesan in Izu, Kiku is a highly skilled professional with multiple talents, especially in her ability to read her clients’ every whim perfectly.
• Lady in Red: Kiku is a sultry courtesan and frequently sports a silk kimono in brilliant crimson red, which combined with her heavier use of makeup, instantly marks her out as a lady of the night. The contrast between Kiku's gaudy costuming and the muted, springtime tones of high status women like Mariko and Fuji is instantly apparent.
• Lady Macbeth: Kiku advises Omi on how to surpass his uncle and become the lord of Izu.
• Ms. Fanservice: Kiku provides the majority of the explicit sex scenes in the show, albeit they do tend to give insight on the in-story motivations and upcoming actions of the men she's with, as well as hints towards her own ambitions, beyond mere titillation.

Gin

Madam Gin (吟)

Played By: Yoko Miyamoto

The proprietress and madam (やり手婆, 'Yarite Baba') of the teahouse in Ajiro.

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• Big Sister Instinct: Although only a self-described “old whore”, Gin has the gumption to ask Toranaga directly for protection and the creation of a courtesans’ guild in Edo, noting that her employees’ talents and artistry go far beyond just sex work. Toranaga agrees to her proposal, and Gin is therefore implied to have created the concept of what will become Geisha in proceeding years.
• Makeup Is Evil: Madam Gin's slapped-on makeup, elaborate coiffure, and slightly gaudy golden robes immediately signify her as a lady of the night, especially compared to the more traditionally demure, high status women in the series like Mariko and Fuji.
• Miss Kitty: Gin is the madam of the Ajiro teahouse, a high-class brothel catering to the whims of the local gentry. She's a tough negotiator, as Mariko finds out when she must secure a night with top courtesan Kiku on Blackthorne's behalf.
• Wisdom from the Gutter: Gin hints to Toranaga that she's worked out why he would 'surrender' to Ishido and return to Osaka, seeing that it is all part of some larger plan.

Kayo

"Kayo" (佳世)

Played By: Mao Asou

A deadly shinobi assassin of the Amida sect who disguises herself as a West Palace maid and makes an attempt on Blackthorne's life.

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• Gender Flip: Kayo's novel counterpart is a male assassin.
• Long Game: Mariko notes that Kayo had been a loyal palace servant for ages, and that shinobi like her often spend years building up to their designated kill.
• Named by the Adaptation: In this series, she is given the presumed pseudonym "Kayo."
• Ninja Maid: In "Servants of Two Masters", she breaks her domestic cover and expertly kills half a dozen people with terrifying simplicity to get to Blackthorne. Her killing spree is finally halted when the very Genre Savvy Toranaga (who has swapped his sleeping quarters with Blackthorne's) effortlessly cuts her throat before shoving her into the garden to bleed out.

The Regime of the Taikō

Taikō Nakamura

Regent Nakamura Hidetoshi (太閤 中村 秀俊)

"The man who stands at the greatest height is the loneliest man in the Realm."

Played By: Yukijiro Hotaru

The former Regent of Japan, whose death has led to the political maneuvering and backstabbing that Blackthorne finds himself in.

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• All There in the Manual: The Taiko is never named on-screen in his one scene, but the original novel and supplementary video materials from FX's YouTube channel confirms his name is still Nakamura.
• Bling of War: He is never shown wearing it (outside of supplementary pre-release videos) but the Taiko's armor is a striking red-and-orange ensemble, with his gleaming black helmet designed with bursting sun rays at the back.^note This is also Hideyoshi's armor as portrayed in museum artifacts and historical records. This armor continues to be showcased in Osaka Castle, both as a Tragic Keepsake to the regime and reminder to the bickering Council who they are really supposed to be serving.
• Lonely at the Top: As shown by his character quote, he seems to have come to this conclusion as he's dying. Despite being surrounded by the mighty and powerful (even his wives and child), he does not seem to have anybody to speak as equals with save Toranaga. This is all the more ironic considering Toranaga represents the biggest threat to his son's position and life.
• No Hero to His Valet: While Ishido revered the Taiko, he freely admits to Ochiba that he knows their lord was not a kind man.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: The Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Toranaga's Tokugawa Ieyasu, having been the latter's mentor and the Regent of Japan up until his death.
• Plot-Triggering Death: He died a year prior to the series, but set up the Regency Council to govern until his son comes of age. By the time the series begins, the Council is at each other's throats and are maneuvering to try and usurp/backstab one another to seize power.
• Posthumous Character: He passed away before the events of Shogun; his death throes are the Cold Open of "Servant of Two Masters".
• Retired Monster: For whatever positives his rule provided for the stability of Japan, the show does not whitewash the level of personal villainy he's involved in before he died.
  • Mariko's background reveals that her father, Akechi Jinsai, was put to death for assassinating the warlord Kuroda, the Taiko's predecessor. Jinsai's punishment and order to commit Pater Familicide is all but stated to occur under his watch. This also explains Mariko's service to Toranaga as a roundabout way of getting revenge—facilitating Toranaga's rise at the expense of his family.^note The Real Life Hideyoshi's defeat of Akechi Mitsuhide was more straightforward and "honorable", in the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582.
  • Lady Ochiba's own flashbacks also reveal that when they married at the height of his powers, he is all but implied to take his Marital Rape License with her, for the sake of conceiving his heir.
  • In "Servants of Two Masters", it is revealed that he attempted to invade Korea (the Kingdom of Joseon at the time the series is set).
• Volatile Second Tier Position: The rank of Taikō, also known as Kampaku ('Taikō' is normally used for a retired Kampaku) was usually an aristocrat who acted as the chief advisor to the Emperor of Japan. As the Japanese Emperor — Katahito at the time the series is set — was an Authority in Name Only, the Taikō was the de facto ruler of the Realm of Japan (which is why the term 'Regent' is used). He is therefore continuously threatened with usurpation from rival houses. Taikō is a governmental position, unlike the rank of Shōgun, which occupies the same authority level (2nd only to the Emperor), but is a military ruler (and has greater legitimacy amongst the samurai class).

Lady Ochiba

Lady Ochiba (落葉の方)

"You're playthings. You have no idea the enemy you face."

Played By: Fumi Nikaido

Born Princess Ruri (Ruri-hime), she is the daughter of the great warlord Kuroda Nobuhisa, who preceded Taiko Nakamura as the de facto ruler of Japan. She took the name 'Ochiba' on becoming Taiko Nakamura's second wife and is mother of the heir, Yaechiyo, making her one of the main power brokers arrayed against Toranaga.

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• Awful Wedded Life: While the Taiko seems to have been happy in their marriage, it seems that Ochiba was anything but. She later confides to Ishido that she was drugged and forced to 'endure unmentionable things in order to conceive'.
• Beauty Is Bad: Undoubtedly, she is among the most gorgeous ladies of the Taiko's court. At the same time, her elevated position gives her a haughtiness she doesn't seem keen on dropping.
• Broken Bird: Ochiba's life was ruined when her father was murdered by the father of her childhood friend, Mariko. With very few other options, she had to become a consort to the new ruler, and she implies to Ishido that she had to endure some awful things (including being drugged by Daiyoin) in order to conceive his child. By the present day she's able to maintain a calm, polite and courteous front, never raising her voice, but her expression while watching a Noh performance of the fictionalized 'romance' between her and her late husband gives a hint of how much she's keeping fenced up.
• Childhood Friend: Was one to Mariko and is clearly moved by her Death Seeker actions when the pair are reunited as adults.
• Cold Ham: Lady Ochiba drifts about with the utmost elegance, though her flutey yet threatening tone and side-eyed theatrics lend her presence a dramatic, yet serene sense of menace. 
• Deadpan Snarker: Her very first line is a blunt rebuke to the Catholics' insistence on performing sacraments for the Taiko — which is pretty inappropriate considering the predominant Buddhist faith of samurai at the time.
  Maybe God's Kingdom is up your own ass... Have you thought of that?
• Death Glare: She shoots daggers in Toranaga's direction whenever given the chance, openly showing her disdain for him. She laters reveals to Ishido that she blames Toranaga for the death of her father, since she believes he plotted the assassination and Akechi Jinsai was merely his instrument; plus, while she doesn't outright mention it, he's also partly responsible for her having to become a consort to the Taiko.
  • She also gives a subtle but cold one to Ishido when he disparages Mariko's name in front of her and insists on immediately marching against Toranaga despite Mariko's recent violent death. Though Ishido does not see it, as his back is turned to her, he definitely feels it.
• Due to the Dead: When Ishido insists that they march at once against Toranaga despite Mariko's shocking death, even denouncing her as the daughter of the lord who killed Lady Ochiba's father, Lady Ochiba very tersely and firmly states (with a Death Glare) that, "Lady Mariko will...generously be honored." Her conviction to properly honor her slain friend is palpable, and Ishido begrudgingly backs down.
• Fallen Princess: "Ladies of the Willow World" reveals that she is the daughter of the warlord Kuroda Nobuhisa, and was born with the rank of hime (analogous to 'Princess' in English). Her father was assassinated by Akechi Jinsai, Mariko's father, and after his murder, she had few options but to be a consort to the new Taiko.
• Fatal Flaw: Mariko claims "fear" is Ochiba's biggest handicap. Considering the precariousness she suffered after the fall of her father Kuroda and her survival wholly reliant on being Behind Every Great Man (the Taiko, her son, possibly Ishido), it makes perfect sense.
• God Save Us from the Queen!: As the mother of the Heir, Ochiba is the second-highest ranking woman in Japan, after Empress Sakiko, and is perfectly willing to reignite civil war to protect her son and his role as the future Taikō.
• Hot Consort: She was second wife to the recently-deceased Taiko. He admits to Toranaga in a flashback that he always had a “weakness” for beautiful women.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: When the final battle approaches, and while she hates Toranaga, she recognises that Ishido's actions which led to Mariko's death have only bolstered their enemy's support and she picked the wrong man to back. Thus she switches sides and pledges the Heir's army to Toranaga in order to protect her son's life and position.
• Lady Macbeth: Despite her immense rank, Ochiba still needs the support of a man to get anything done. That man would be Ishido, who has long desired her. When he proposes marriage to her to cement their alliance, she reluctantly agrees.
• Mal Mariée: Considering the relative youth of Ochiba (20s) and their son Yaechiyo, and the fact that her husband the Taiko dies of natural causes, the age gap between the couple is clear. When a troupe of Noh actors performs a fancifully embellished recreation of their courtship and "romance", Ochiba is visibly repulsed at the incongruity.
• Mama Bear: Ochiba's hostility to Toranaga is arguably justifiable considering the threat he represents to Yaechiyo's succession, and she's not hiding it in any way. She is even willing to plunge Japan into civil war not only to ensure her son's safety but to secure his future as Japan's future ruler.
• Meaningful Rename: Though courtesy names were relatively common in Japan at the time, the show draws particular attention to the fact that Ochiba was known by a different name — Ruri-hime — as a child, to highlight the extreme change in personality she underwent as a result of her father's death and her miserable marriage.
• Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal: Not that Ochiba suffered this herself, but it's heavily implied that she decides to side with Toranaga at least partly to pay Ishido back, since his orders resulted in Mariko's death.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: She is essentially a facsimile of Lady Yodo/Chacha, Hideyoshi's second wife and mother of Toyotomi Hideyori. She would be her son's main backer and diplomat from the Sekigahara campaign until the Siege of Osaka.
• Not So Above It All: Yes, she is quite frankly terrifying now, and she never gives anything away in public. Yet when she faces Mariko again privately (under the guise of her translating for Blackthorne for her son — who aren't even remotely talking), she gives way to her jealousy and angsts about how Mariko survived in a very different way than she did. Then, when she's turned away and after Mariko leaves, she actually lets her tears fall.
• Uncertain Doom: While Ochiba does end up siding with Toranaga as the most likely person to protect her son, it emerges that he plans to take power and bring all of Japan under his control, proving that Ochiba was right to fear him. His real life counterpart effectively usurped her son's counterpart and eventually sought to eliminate him; both mother and son ended up committing suicide.
• Used to Be a Sweet Kid: As a child, Ruri (her birth name) was happy, sweet and a great friend to Mariko, even comforting and reassuring her when she's unhappy at being wed to Buntaro. Then Ruri's father is assassinated, she consequently loses her status and has to resort to becoming the Taikō's consort, with plenty of implication that trying to conceive an heir was not pleasant. In her own words:
  Ochiba: Have you heard what I went through to give the Taikō a son? No one else could achieve it. Hundreds of women... consorts... Not Daiyoin... Daiyoin... who drսg me with bitter herbs, forced me to endure unmentionable things in order to conceive. Only I become mother of the Heir. And do you know how? By compelling fate to look at me. So I could scratch out its eyes.
• Women Are Wiser: She neatly cuts through the squabbling of the Council of Regents by telling Ishido that from now on, they will answer to her.
• You Killed My Father: While she despises Toranaga for being a threat to her son's future rule, she eventually reveals to Ishido another and more personal reason for her hatred. She claims that while Akechi Jinsai was the one who killed her father, it was Toranaga who planned the assassination.

Nakamura Yaechiyo

Nakamura Yaechiyo

Played By: Sen Mars

The deceased Taiko's young son with Lady Ochiba, whose immaturity is the reason for the existence of the Council of Regents.

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• Children Are Innocent: Despite his elevated position, Yaechiyo is nothing but a normal and Adorably Precocious Child. This helps to explain the dying Taiko's concern for his future, his mother Ochiba's sheer determination to wrest power away from Toranaga, and Toranaga's attempts at being a Parental Substitute to the boy.
• Child by Rape: His mother, Lady Ochiba, was drugged by Daiyoin (his father’s Top Wife) so that his father, the Taiko, could impregnate her.
• Living MacGuffin: As he's too young to properly inherit the title of Taiko, he's basically a political token for everyone scrambling for control of Japan. As her son, he's also the only reason Lady Ochiba can be taken seriously as a political figure.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: If Toranaga is Tokugawa Ieyasu, then Yaechiyo corresponds to Toyotomi Hideyori.
• Uncertain Doom: By the final episode Toranaga as good as admits to Yabushige that he aims to take power and bring all of Japan under his control...which doesn't bode well for Yaechiyo's role as the future Taiko. In real life Tokugawa seized power from Toyotomi, and fifteen years after the Sekigahara Campaign sought to eliminate him altogether, seeing him as an obstacle to the unification of Japan; Toyotomi eventually committed suicide along with his mother while his castle was under siege.

Daiyoin / Lady Iyo

Daiyoin / Lady Iyo (大蓉院)

"A woman may lose everything she's ever had... but she may also take it back. She must stare without fear into the cruel eyes of fate... and make herself seen."

Played By: Ako Dachs

The widow of the Taiko; while having recently become a Buddhist nun, she remains a powerful presence in Osaka Castle as she uses her influence to protect the future of her husband’s empire.

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• Character Death: Given her age, it's not surprising when she dies following a stroke in "The Abyss of Life".
• Dare to Be Badass: Her first conversation with Toranaga shows her surprisingly encouraging him to pursue his Minowara legacy and claim the title of Shogun—in the name of finally stabilizing Japan. This is more notable, considering this would mean upending any real political power her husband's heir Yaechiyo would ever exercise as Regent.
• Inherent in the System: She seems to express this belief—at least of why the authority of her husband the Taiko won't long survive him. As mentioned above, she is interested in seeing Toranaga claim shogunal authority even at the expense of the legacy of the house of Nakamura (who are de facto rulers due to holding the office of Taiko/Kampaku). She believes only shogunal authority could put the land at peace and end the wars. She would even try to direct Lady Ochiba along this line. The younger woman, however, has deeper personal reasons for her decision to hound Toranaga instead.
• My Greatest Failure: The dying Daiyoin's words to Ochiba is "look what I've made" while stroking her face, suggesting that while she did facilitate Ochiba's rise into a powerful woman, she also regrets how it came at the cost of the former Princess Ruri's innocence.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: She’s based on Kōdai-in, formerly Lady Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's first and principal wife. While Nene is usually portrayed sympathetically and positively due to her intelligence and large role in sustaining Toyotomi rule, here Daiyoin is portrayed as looming and somewhat sinister, as her actions mostly figure from Ochiba's viewpoint.
• Nun Too Holy: Daiyoin is a serene yet formidable presence, and was responsible for drugging Lady Ochiba in order that the Taiko could impregnate her and produce his longed-for heir.
• Taking the Veil: As was common for Japanese noblewomen, Iyo became a nun after her husband's death. However, she still remains a person of considerable influence.
• Top Wife: She was the Taiko's head wife, and took Ochiba under her wing to instruct her how to succeed as a consort.

Council of Regents

Ishido Kazunari

General Ishido Kazunari (石堂 和成), Castellan of Osaka Castle

"War is inevitable."

Played By: Takehiro Hira

De-facto leader of the Council of Regents and Toranaga's main political rival. Ishido is a hardline loyalist of the Taiko and is therefore suspicious of Toranaga's political position.

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• Altar Diplomacy: He attempts to pressure Lady Ochiba into marriage for political reasons. They're engaged by "Crimson Sky".
• Berserk Button: Downplayed. Ishido is rarely shown to be hostile beyond raising his voice, but invoking his lower-class peasant background is a good way to get on his bad side. Whenever his fellow Regents do it to him, it usually leads to the meeting going off the rails. When Sugiyama does it to him during the older Regent's attempted escape, it ensures Ishido won't let him leave alive. Finally, when Mariko pays court to him and Ochiba in Osaka, Mariko's invocation of her greater, thousand-year samurai heritage and her father, the rebel Akechi Jinsai, is a Refuge in Audacity rebuke to both of them — Ishido's lower samurai rank, and Ochiba being the daughter of the warlord Akechi killed. The sequence of events after this all leads to Mariko's murder.
• Big Bad Ensemble: He serves the most immediate threat to Toranaga, though he competes in influence with the Christian Regents and their priests. He was already in the process of having Toranaga impeached and removed from power when Blackthorne arrived, throwing his carefully laid plans into disarray.
• Ignored Enamored Underling: His relationship to Ochiba is one-way, which provides additional justification to his allying with her against Toranaga (even to the point of offering to marry her).
• Inferiority Superiority Complex: The showrunners and Ishido's solo scenes suggest he is suffering from a serious case against Toranaga (with how he sighs at his simpler samurai armor and his tedious bureaucratic work). This also reflects the historical Mitsunari's humbler background (a lower-ranking samurai who worked as a merchant or a tea servant, depending on the telling), who owes his elevation solely to Hideyoshi's patronage.
• Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: Described as such by the official podcast, with some justification. After all, he turns out to be prescient regarding the danger Toranaga poses to the Taiko's heir, Yaechiyo.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Serves as a stand-in for Ishida Mitsunari, albeit promoted in-story to being a full Regent instead of being merely a bureaucrat serving Hideyoshi, which puts him on lower station against Ieyasu.
• Only Sane Man: Only by comparison. He is forced to head the Council of Regents which has degenerated into a Not-So-Omniscient Council of Bickering defined by their vested interests (Kiyama and Ohno defined by their Catholic loyalties, Sugiyama not taking command despite being of comparable wealth and pedigree to Toranaga—and Toranaga, of course, growing too strong to be Just the First Citizen).
• The Peter Principle: Ishido's elevated position is both due to his hard work and the late Taiko's favor, but it is clear throughout his appearances that high-stakes politics is clearly beyond him. The retired principal wife of the Taiko, Daiyoin, says as much of him:
  Daiyoin (to Ochiba, of Ishido): Ishido is nothing more than the Taikō's favored koshô. Good at some things, never great. You are choosing the wrong ally.
• Shoot the Messenger: He has been on the receiving and sending end. His retainer Nebara Jozen's retinue ended up being shredded by cannonfire on Yoshii Nagakado's orders, while being nominally hosted by his shifty "ally" Yabushige — with the dead man's head sent back to him. In turn, when Yabushige tries to patch up things with him through his Old Retainer Igarashi (around the time Ito and Saeki ascend to the Council), Igarashi is instead beheaded and sent back to Yabushige.
• This Is Unforgivable!: Being sent the head of Nebara Jozen, his retainer darkens his countenance, giving greater pressure on him to force a confrontation with Toranaga once and for all. This is further complicated when the returning Lady Ochiba orders that the Regents should begin taking orders from her.
• Uncertain Doom: While he is fated to lose the Battle of Sekigahara to Toranaga, it's left ambiguous if he suffers the humiliating Cruel and Unusual Death he does in the book (buried up to his neck in Osaka with a sign hanging over him inviting anyone to take a swing at his neck with a bamboo saw).
• Undying Loyalty: One may fault Ishido for many things, but there is no question that he idolizes and values the Taiko and his legacy (no less because he owes his status and position to the late ruler). This, in addition to his own ambition, informs his irreconcilable differences with Toranaga.

Sugiyama

Regent Sugiyama Josui (杉山 如水)

Played By: Toshi Toda

A descendant of one of the richest aristocratic families in Japan, Regent Sugiyama is a dissenting figure against General Ishido's machinations.

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• Good Old Ways: In the limited screen time he has, Sugiyama tended to be the one to speak of the peace and good rule achieved by the Taiko, which they as regents are supposed to maintain (and Ishido, allegedly because of his lower standing, is well messing up).
• Helpless Good Side: Arguably. Sugiyama is about the same age as (possibly older than) Toranaga, and his samurai background is no less prestigious than his. Yet, despite this, he seems to have been content to allow Ishido to simply become the de facto administrator, not doing anything beyond frustrating his policy.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Sugiyama's based on Maeda Toshiie, an actual member of the Council of Regents. He reportedly held more neutral stances than the other lords at the time. He also didn't last long enough to affect policy despite his good intentions.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: He grows disgusted with Ishido and Ochiba's attempts to control the Council and condemning Toranaga to death, and tries to flee Osaka with his household. Unfortunately for them, Ishido knew they'd try that and his forces butcher them.

Kiyama Ukon Sadanaga

Regent Kiyama Ukon Sadanaga (木山 右近 定長)

Played By: Hiromoto Ida

A Christian member of the Council of Regents.

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• Bad Guys Do the Dirty Work: As he knows the Catholic Church cannot be seen as pursuing anything further against Blackthorne beyond legal means (without it compromising its institutional morality), he takes on the role of attempting to execute Blackthorne under his own authority as a Regent.
  Dell'Acqua: This God-cursed heretic doesn't even have the decency to ruin us slowly.
  Kiyama: Let this be my burden, Father.
• Composite Character: Since there was no actual Christian Regent in the real-life Toyotomi Council of Elders, his name is likely a combination of Konishi Yukinaga and Dom Justo Takayama Ukon, but is too different from them as a character to be a case of No Historical Figures Were Harmed.
• Cunning Linguist: His conversational Portuguese surprises Blackthorne when he shares his thoughts on God and money.
• Cruel Mercy: As a Christian, he knows that suicide, like murder, is a mortal sin. This is likely among the reasons why he refuses to second Mariko in her seppuku, both keeping his own hands clean and adding another layer of torment to Mariko's decision.
• Hypocrite: Practically everyone and even Ishido believes his conversion to Catholicism isn't sincere; they just think he's happily exploiting making money out of the Portuguese trade.
• Puppet King: Between him and Ohno, he seems to be the preferred one to be so by the Portuguese — and it is he and his men that are heavily involved in the attempts in Blackthorne's life.

Ohno Harunobu

Regent Ohno Harunobu (大野 晴信)

Played By: Takeshi Kurokawa

One of the lords on the Council of Regents, and one of the Catholic lords in Japan. Ohno converted to Catholicism after the Portuguese helped to treat his leprosy, and is eager to forward their cause in the nation.

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• Even Evil Has Standards: Though one of Ishido's key allies against Toranaga, Ohno, of all the regents, seems the most genuinely upset by Mariko's death. He regretfully laments that she should have been allowed to leave "without incident," and insists that she get a proper Christian funeral and grieving process before the Council commits to any action.
• The Grotesque: Lord Ohno converted to Catholicism after the Jesuits helped him survive leprosy. They were not able to protect him from the ravages of the disease, and thus he often hides his face from the other Regents.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: The character's leprosy and alliance with Ishido is lifted from the Western Army commander Otani Yoshitsugu, also the father-in-law of Sanada Yukimura. The real life Otani, however, was never publicly recorded to be Christian. ^note Historical records about him tended to be written by Buddhist monks attending to him. However, recent books have been published that do mention Jesuit sources claiming Otani Yoshitsugu was a Christian—which this portrayal likely refers to.
• O.O.C. Is Serious Business: In "Crimson Sky", Ohno is seen, unveiled, among the spectators watching Mariko try to leave Osaka. Since he's never seen without his head covered in public prior to this, it seems likely that he rushed to the scene in a hurry.

Portuguese Contingent

Captain-General Ferreira

Captain-General Ferreira

Played By: Louis Ferreira

The captain of the Black Ship. He's known to make his voyage around East Asia from Portuguese Macau to Japan via Osaka.

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• Bait the Dog: Appears to give Blackthorne and his ship a chance to get past the blockade by smashing through it with the Black Ship, only to steer him right onto a reef.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: He's based on an unnamed Captain-Major, who's appointed to the position by the governor of Portuguese Goa as part of the "Japan voyage" route.

Father Dell'Acqua

Father Dell'Acqua, SJ

Played By: Paulino Nunes

A Jesuit priest who's in charge of the Japanese mission.

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• Evil Jesuit: While not involved in any personal villainy, Dell'Acqua seems to be primarily interested in keeping Jesuit access to the ruling powers of Japan and keeping Portuguese profits flowing.
• Knight Templar: As the head Jesuit within the Japanese archipelago, it is his interest to spread Catholicism under Jesuit supervision (even blocking/imprisoning Franciscans like Domingo for entering their turf). He is visibly motivated by establishing state-church unity in Japan, hence his close work with Lord Kiyama. He would even sign on Lord Kiyama committing/sponsoring violence against Blackthorne, as he represents the Protestant threat in the flesh.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: He's based on Alessandro Valignano, an Italian Jesuit priest who traveled to China and Japan to introduce Catholicism.

Father Martin Alvito

Father Martin Alvito, SJ

"I may be your enemy, John Blackthorne of the Erasmus, but I am not your assassin."

Played By: Tommy Bastow

A Jesuit priest from Portugal who acts as one of the main interpreters in Osaka.

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• Consummate Professional: Displays utmost professionalism in his job as an interpreter for Toranaga, to the point of literally instructing Blackthorne on how to tell him they're enemies, so as to make absolutely sure he's being as transparent as possible. On a second note, he's also implied to be devoted to the spiritual advisor side of his duties as a priest.
• Good Shepherd: At least compared to his superior Dell'Acqua, Alvito still ministers to souls and essentially serves as Mariko's spiritual director. He appears genuinely invested in Mariko's spiritual growth as a priest should, which sustains their lifelong friendship; he even keeps his word to her when rescuing and sparing Blackthorne, which would pose quite a threat to the Jesuit mission in Japan. The one thing he seems to fall short of is in moving her thoughts away from suicide, as she is still ultimately a woman of a samurai family whose views on Seppuku is a perennial source of Culture Clash.
• I Gave My Word: He reveals to Blackthorne that Mariko asked him to spare Blackthorne's life when retrieving him from Osaka and bringing him back to Toranaga; even though the other man is the enemy of Alvito, his faith and his country, Alvito gave his word to her and keeps it.
• Naturalized Name: He's known by the Japanese as "Tsuji" ("translator") when dealing with them.
• Nice Guy: Alvito shows himself to be unfailingly polite and serene in his dealings, even to his nominal enemies, such as Blackthorne.
• No Historical Figures Were Harmed: He is likely a counterpart to João Rodrigues, a Jesuit missionary and scholar who served as the first Catholic interpreter of the Toyotomi regime. His value as interpreter was ultimately superseded by the Tokugawa-affiliated William Adams, which reflects in his tension with Blackthorne.
• Pragmatic Villainy: Unlike his superior (Dell'Acqua), Alvito isn't a moustache-twirling Evil Jesuit the way one would expect. He treats Blackthorne with nothing but professional courtesy. He is still nonetheless intimately involved in protecting Jesuit and Portuguese interests in Japan.
• Turn to Religion: He represents this to Mariko. "Crimson Sky" reveals he introduced himself to her during her third attempt at suicide (while pregnant no less!). He offers her words of comfort and gave her the cross pendant she was wearing throughout the series), all but stating this was the moment that led her to the Church.

Vasco Rodrigues

Captain Vasco Rodrigues

"There's a saying out here that every man has three hearts. One in his mouth for the world to know. Another in his chest just for his friends. And a secret heart buried deep where no one can find it."

Played By: Nestor Carbonell

A Spaniard employed by the Portuguese to act as a liaison between them and the Japanese, specifically within the court of Toranaga. He is with the expedition that carries Blackthorne to Osaka and his first meeting with Toranaga.

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• Because Destiny Says So: Rodrigues believes that Blackthorne being shipwrecked in Japan has a purpose, especially since he was being brought before Toranaga.
• Deadpan Snarker: Rodrigues has a very dry and sarcastic sense of humor, trading a few barbs with Blackthorne on the trip to Osaka.
• Friendly Enemy: Despite serving opposing countries, Rodrigues and Blackthrone get along pretty well, liking each other as fellow "scum" of the earth.
• Going Native: Rodrigues' relative competence in Japanese and his ability to discourse on the philosophical mindset of the samurai belies his years of experience. It's a noteworthy Foreshadowing to Blackthorne regarding his own journey.
  Blackthorne: How can you just accept being powerless to this madness?
  Rodrigues: (stammers) You mean to this life? Zehi mo gozaimasen (ぜひもございません)...^note A garbling of what might be zehi mo nashi (ぜひもなし), which means "It can't be helped"—coincidentally attributed to Oda Nobunaga. One cannot resist the unseen path of nature. All we can do is accept our small part.
• I Owe You My Life: After Blackthorne invokes No Man Left Behind, and rescues Rodrigues from a cold death on the shoreline, he explicitly pays the favor back later by ignoring his Captain's order to crush him between the ship and the reef.
• Mirror Character: Rodrigues is essentially Blackthorne but working for the Portuguese, having a similar "salt of the earth" personality and being a skilled ship pilot as well.
• Occidental Otaku: The more culture-based, pre-industrial version. For all of his giving shit to his Portuguese and samurai employers, Rodrigues clearly has developed an awe for what the Japanese has achieved with their culture.
  Rodrigues: This wretched land? I tell you what, Inglés. We're coming into port soon. Why don't you go on up there? Go up and tell me what you see. And tell me when you set eyes on Osaka if you really think our world is the hilt of civilization. And then ask yourself what kind of man wields power in a land like this.
• Punch-Clock Villain: Rodrigues is not actively malicious, and he is in fact appreciative that Blackthorne is the same kind of "salt of the earth" type as him. However, as he is in the employ of the Portuguese (who are enemies of Britain), he deems it his duty to relay everything about Blackthorne to his superiors.
• Refuge in Audacity: Rodrigues has such a command of Japanese and code-switching that he continues to speak deferentially to the Japanese, while at the same time mocking them under his breath in Portuguese. His competence clearly gives him a pass with them.
  Rodrigues: Bow to the bastard-sama if you wanna live. Goyosha kudasare ^note Pardon me to all the shit-eating samas.

Father Domingo

Father Domingo, OFM

"Dear God. You're a child in the wilderness. You don't know their games."

Played By: Joaquim De Almeida

A Franciscan priest locked up in Osaka, he's responsible for informing Blackthorne on what's happening in Sengoku Period Japan.

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• Cynicism Catalyst: Domingo once mentioned he was once an eager missionary, but exposure to the venality of the Catholic Church in Japan has made him cynical of both the mission and his fellow priests. (The Jesuits, he alleged, locked him up there.)
• Good Shepherd: In contrast to the well-heeled and quite corrupted Jesuits, Father Domingo's being in prison means he is actually in prime position to minister to the sick and miserable as a good Christian should. This he does even for Blackthorne, even if he is an unrepentant Protestant.
• Mr. Exposition: He explains to Blackthorne the politics going on in Osaka since he was really unfamiliar. To bring the point home, Father Domingo called him "child in the wilderness".
• Small Role, Big Impact: Father Domingo gave Blackthorne the information he needed on what the Portuguese are doing in Japan for the pilot to use with Toranaga.