Broken to the Fist is the fifth episode of the FX limited series, Shōgun. The episode premiered on March 19, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Blackthorne and Mariko struggle to contain the secret that could get them both killed. Yabushige searches for the spy who has betrayed his intentions to Lord Toranaga.
Plot Summary[]
Villagers in Ajiro, including Muraji, pick up body parts in the field. They suddenly hear the arrival of an army of men- Lord Toranaga arrives with Buntaro, who is alive after all. Mariko stands, looking at Buntaro, in shock. Later she founds out that a group of ronin helped him escape.
The Council of Regents meets and discusses impeaching Toranaga, however Ishido reminds them this isn’t possible since the Council is now incomplete after his resignation. Later, Ishido receives a wrapped package with Jozen’s head inside.
Lord Toranaga asks Mariko to stay on as the Anjin’s interpreter. She asks about Buntaro and he said he asked him to move into the Anjin’s house so she can serve both him and John. Toranaga then confronts his son, questing his decision to murder Jozen and accusing him of accidentally doing Yabushige’s bidding.
Buntaro arrives at the house and Fuji welcomes him, although he doesn’t seem pleased about the situation.
Yabushige gets Lord Toranaga up to date about the training. Toranaga asks about Jozen’s request for him during his visit and Yabushige assures Toranaga that his loyalty is with him. Toranaga accuses him of playing both sides and manipulating his son but Yabushige insists it wasn’t him. He admits maybe it was his nephew. Toranaga says they must prepare for war now that Jozen is dead. He assumes Ishido will attack them there so he starts to make preparations. He tells Yabushige to let Omi know he is giving him command of the Anjin’s artillery.
Yabushige sends one of his men to Osaka to make amends with Ishido. He demands Omi find Toranaga’s spy.
John welcomes Buntaro to his home and they have a tense exchange of words. They sit down to eat English rabbit stew, prepared by John, together but the Japanese are hesitant to try this stew. They eat Japanese food instead. Mariko continues to translate for them and attempts to squash the awkward tension by slightly mistranslating their words into nicer versions. The men drink together and John asks about his escape in Osaka. Buntaro unexpectedly picks up an arrow and shoots it past Mariko’s face, just missing her. John urges for her to get out of the way but she stands still. John insists that he thinks women should be treated better and Mariko translates for him. Buntaro tells Mariko to tell John about her family.
She tells him she is daughter of the late Lord Akechi Jinsai, who Buntaro refers to as a treacherous assassin. Her father’s lord was Kuroda-sama, ruler of Japan before the Taikō, and he was a corrupt and murderous man. Her father killed him and for this he and her family was hunted. Her father was forced to kill her mother, brothers, and sisters, before committing seppuku himself. Mariko was spared because she was just married and not allowed. Mariko asks every year for permission to join her family but Buntaro orders her to live. Mariko leaves without Buntaro’s permission so later that night he beats her. John rushes to try and help. Mariko urges him and Fuji to leave.
John rushes after Buntaro who sits and places his sword down, apologizing for disturbing his home, explaining it was because of the saké. He later goes by the water to speak to Mariko to reason with her and tell her to free herself from her anguish. She doesn’t take it well and tells him she will translate and no more for him.
Lord Toranaga goes to see Muraji and tells him to find another spy for Yabushige to find and that he will remain his spy there.
John returns to his home where the stinking, fly-covered pheasant (that was a gift from Toranaga) is gone, after John explicitly told no one to touch it. Fuji reveals it was the gardener and tries to explain that he has been put to death for the crime. This horrifies John. She begs him to end her life but he tells her to go away. He goes to speak to Mariko and Lord Toranaga about the matter, accusing their culture of not valuing life. Mariko explains that he volunteered to remove the peasant, knowing he would die for it because it was violating a house rule.
The ground starts to shake violently during an earthquake and men start to fall down the mountain. Toranaga gets buried but John and his son run to rescue him and dig him out. Toranaga’s swords get buried as well so John offers Fuji’s family swords to replace them. Lord Toranaga thanks him. The men look out and see the village getting buried by dirt and tree branches. John rushes to check on Fuji, who is still alive but hurt.
Yabushige and Omi find the spy after Muraji leads them to his home, where hidden notes are found. It’s revealed that it was the gardener, Uejirou, who died the day before. Yabushige comments that it’s lucky for him that he died.
Lady Ochiba returns to Osaka. She thanks Lord Ishido for helping her release from Edo. She mentions hearing that the Council was outmaneuvered by Toranaga but Ishido insists all will be restored again soon. Lady Ochiba insists the Council answer to her now.
Cast & Characters[]
Starring[]
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga
- Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne
- Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko
- Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige
- Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi
- Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
- Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji
- Shinnosuke Abe as Toda "Buntaro" Hirokatsu
- Yasunari Takeshima as Muraji
- Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado
- Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata
- Ako as Lady Iyo/Daiyoin
Supporting[]
- Hiromoto Ida as Lord Kiyama ukon Sadanaga
- Toshi Toda as Lord Sugiyama
- Takeshi Kurokawa as Lord Ohno Harunobu
- Junichi Tajiri as Uejirou
- Sen Mars as Nakamura Yaechiyo
- Yûki Kedôin as Takemaru
- Hiro Kanagawa as Igarashi Yoshitomo
Quotes[]
All men are like falcons. Some are flown straight from the fist killing anything that moves. Others are lazy and tempted by the lure. But all men can be broken.
Lord Toranaga
Gallery[]
Photos[]
Videos[]
