John Blackthorne, the so-called Anjin (按針), is a character in the FX limited series, Shōgun, portrayed by Cosmo Jarvis.
A restless English pilot, Blackthorne finds more than he bargained for when his ship washes ashore within the Japanese territory of Toranaga, a powerful warlord who becomes his captor.
Biography[]
Life in England[]
John Blackthorne was born in London, England, and raised in the Protestant faith, leading him to have a strong mistrust of Catholics. As a child, his first chore was to clean game his father illegally poached from an estate in Chatham so they could be aged properly. At some point, he married and had a son, Tudor, and a daughter, Elizabeth, both named for the reigning Queen.
The horizon beckoned to Blackthorne from an early age. He studied shipbuilding as an apprentice, soon moved on to study navigation, and worked on ships until he gained the coveted position of pilot. Despite having a young family, Blackthorne left London before his daughter's birth, setting sail for the unknown.
Finding Japan[]
Blackthorne joins a Dutch privateer mission to search for "the Japans," intending to break the economic monopoly the Portuguese and Spanish have over New World imports into Europe, and by extension the spiritual influence of the Catholic Church. They begin with five ships, John being assigned to the Erasmus, and are armed in order to plunder any Spanish territory they find. During this, they steal a Spanish rutter detailing a route through Magellan’s Pass in Chile, enabling them to enter the Pacific.
After entering the Pacific Ocean, they sack Manila (in modern day Philippines), and Blackthorne encounters a man who tells him of a Dutch military trading post at Macao, as well as the Catholic converted Ronin stationed there. However, the fleet's accumulated losses leaves the Erasmus the only ship left, owing to pestilence, starvation, and hostile conflict. Of the 500 men that left Holland, only 14 men remain.
Giving up on finding any land despite Blackthorne's hope, the Captain of the Erasmus kills himself, leaving Blackthorne in charge of the ship and it's crew. Eventually, they drift onto the coast of Japan. Soldiers board the ship and take the surviving crew prisoner, including Blackthorne. They agree to insist they are merchants, worried that the Portuguese will have them hanged if their orders and the stolen rutter are discovered.
Arrival in Ajiro[]
Blackthorne is taken to Kashigi Yabushige to discuss his intentions in Japan, and attempts to arrange passage home to no success. Despite the incorrect translations from a local priest who claims Blackthorne is a pirate, Yabushige insists there is no proof and sends him to be bathed. To appease the priest, another crew member is killed for piracy, boiled alive. Blackthorne wakes up the next day shaved, bathed, and naked. Due to the arrival of Toda Hiromatsu, Blackthorne is sent to Osaka with Rodrigues, a Spanish Pilot sailing for the Portuguese.
The ship faces tumultuous waters but Blackthorne guides them through, saving one man from falling and throwing Rodrigues wood to cling to when he is tossed overboard. Once safely on land he urges they look for Rodrigues. They find him injured but alive, and Yabushige when challenged makes his way down a cliff to save him as Blackthorne watches. Rodrigues is saved, but when Yabushige thinks he is about to drown he attempts seppuku to Blackthorne's horror, who is both confused by his actions and relieved when Yabushige manages to escape the water just in time. He bows to Yabushige, who laughs.
When Rodrigues wakes up he confronts Blackthorne about both the stolen rutter and a journal explaining his orders to plunder Spanish territory and open trade in Japan, and as a courtesy for saving his life, tells Blackthorne that he will inform the Portuguese. When Blackthorne then attempts to kill him, Rodrigues pulls a gun. Blackthone insists he will not die in this "wretched land," and Rodrigues tells him to look at Osaka and question if where they came from is truly civilised in comparison. Rodrigues then asks him to think about who wields power in such a land, "the one who schemes in the open, or the one you never see," and urges him to keep his heart hidden if he wants to survive.
Meeting Lord Toranaga in Osaka[]
They arrive in Osaka and Blackthorne is taken to Lord Toranaga. Father Martin Alvito arrives and introduces himself as the translator to the council of regents. Blackthorne doesn't trust him to translate properly because he is Catholic, but is able to converse with Toranaga honestly due to Toda Mariko's presence, who understands Portuguese and affirms the accuracy of the translations. Blackthorne explains that he is an English Protestant and that England is at war with the Catholic Portuguese, which is why he doesn’t trust Alvito, and that he and his crew are merchants armed only to protect themselves. Lord Ishido arrives and Alvito advises Blackthorne to stay quiet if he wants to keep his life. Blackthorne is then detained by Toranaga through Ishido's influence.
Locked up, Blackthorne speaks to a Priest who explains that the detained men are waiting for death. Blackthorne insists he is a guest of Toranaga and here by mistake but the Father explains Toranaga himself is a prisoner of sorts as he awaits a possible impeachment. The Father insists death is his fate but Blackthorne insists he didn’t come all the way around the world to die on a cross. He explains to Blackthorne that all trade from Japan goes through the Portuguese. The late Taikō tried to put a stop to it but the church incited a rebellion and smuggled guns from a secret base in Macao. Blackthorne remembers a man telling him about hundreds of Catholic Japanese mercenaries stationed in Macao, and insists this is the key to getting himself out.
Escaping Execution[]
Blackthorne gets taken away to be executed, however bandits intercept them and kill the men who escort him. Yabushige appears and unties Blackthorne as his men kill the others and the bandits as well. Yabushige takes him to Toranaga. At Toranaga’s request, translated by Lady Mariko, he states his Queen offers friendship, and draws a map of the world as he knows it in the sand. He explains the route they took, and mentions the Portuguese base in Macao that he knows employs Japanese mercenaries (Ronin), and believes was used for gun running against the Taikō in the past. He informs Toranaga that Portugal and Spain divided up the New World between them, allowing them to conquer any non-christian land they find and install Catholic leaders. Under this agreement, Japan “belongs” to Portugal. This infuriates Toranaga, and Blackthorne then explains that he seeks to vanquish their common enemies.
Blackthorne gets taken to the West Palace in Toranaga’s personal quarters, which Mariko explains is a great honor. However, there is an attack by an assassin in the castle - Kayo the Maid - who searches for her target. She finds Toranaga and attacks but Blackthorne runs to protect him. They fight her off and she dies. Toranaga believes the assassin came for Blackthorne and not him as he switched their rooms secretly.
Heading to Ajiro[]
The next day, Blackthorne gets his injuries tended to and is told that he, Mariko, and a few others will depart for Ajiro. John sees Toranaga switch places with his wife Kiri, hiding in her palanquin in the convoy in order to escape Osaka. He keeps his mouth shut. En route to the gates of Osaka Castle, Mariko informs Blackthorne that Toranaga is known for his trickery and that if he is found not only will Toranaga be killed but all of them with him. When exiting the castle gate, a man demands to verify every person leaving on orders from Lord Ishido. Blackthorne, realizing no one is going to stop the man, creates a distraction before he opens Kiri’s palanquin, with Mariko helping sell his act by translating his faked offense. They successfully get through.
As they walk, Blackthorne asks about Mariko's husband and child, and Mariko asks about his own children. Before he can elaborate however, Lord Kiyama's men later intercept them and attack- hoping to stop the convoy, kill John, and kill Toranaga (once they realized he escaped). During the choas, Blackthorne attempts to keep Mariko safe. They make it to the harbor and encounter the same crew and boat Blackthorne guided to Osaka, gaining passage, but losing Buntaro to their pursuers. However, pirates wait at the harbour's mouth, and Blackthorne advises they board the Portuguese Black ship to get through safely. As part of the agreement with the Priests however, Blackthorne is sacrificed and left behind. Not giving up, Blackthorne convinces the Japanese ship's captain to follow the Black Ship (piloted by Rodrigues) through the harbour. Though Rodrigues is ordered to run them aground on rocks, he lets Blackthorne and the ship slip through. Toranaga and his people then leave the Black ship and rejoin Blackthorne.
The next morning, Blackthorne admits to Mariko that he deserted his family to pursue a life at sea, and explains his longing for freedom. Toranaga approaches and thanks John for his bravery. He shows John that he has his journals (a gift from the priests) and explains that they will need to be translated, which will take a long time. In the meantime, he intends to prepare for war and asks John to train a regiment in foreign tactics using weapons from the Erasmus. In exchange, John asks for the return of his men and his ship. John is given the title of "Hatamoto," a great honor, and John thanks him.
New Role in Ajiro[]
In Ajiro, John looks for his men. He asks Muraji where they are and he informs them they were moved to a different place. Mariko tells him they are in Edo. She then clarifies that he cannot board the ship without permission and that the crew and ship belong to Toranaga, not him, despite his misunderstanding. She brings him to his house.
He is surprised to find out that he has been given a home, a staff, and a salary -but John is upset because all he wants are his men and his ship. Fuji will live with him as his consort but John insists he has no interest in pillowing her or any woman. He gets annoyed that she goes wherever he is. Mariko explains Fuji’s history and her intentions for being his consort. Mariko asks him if he knows about the eightfold fence- an impenetrable wall behind which one can retreat whenever needed. She advises him to train himself to listen without hearing.
Omi demands John hand over his guns but he refuses. Fuji tells him to give them to her and he does reluctantly, his mistrust of Omi brooding. Omi asks Fuji for the guns and she points them at him telling him to go on his way. Everyone besides Fuji heads to the field to start training. Yabushige wants to learn foreign tactics. John beings to tell them about a great battle - the Siege of Malta - but Mariko stops him, confused because he didn’t even fight in the battle himself. John would rather teach them about naval combat. He shows them how to accurately target canons and Yabushige is both surprised and impressed.
Getting Closer to Mariko[]
Mariko reads that John was ordered to leave Portugal after committing crimes and she confronts John about this. A small earthquake happens, which shocks John. John later apologizes to Fuji for his behavior before and offers her a gun as a gift but she seems confused by the gesture. She offers him her family’s swords, a symbol of her father’s bravery, and John is touched by the gesture. John asks to try natto and Mariko and Fuji seem tickled by the idea of him eating this stinky dish. He likes it to their surprise.
Later that evening, John goes into the hot springs to admire the scenery. Mariko finds him there and thanks him for the gift he gave to Fuji. They open up to each other. Later that evening, John goes to sleep and Mariko enters his room. She opens up her robe and sleeps with him. The next morning, she comments that John seems in good spirits and asks if he enjoyed the courtesan she and Fuji sent him. He seems confused by this but tells her it was a thoughtful gift.
Later, John sees Nagakado kill Jozen and Mariko warns him this means war.
Feuding with Buntaro[]
John is shocked to see Buntaro return with Lord Toranaga, after believing him to be dead. Buntaro is instructed to stay in John's home since Mariko is there. John finds the situation strange but tries to welcome him as best as he can. They eat dinner together. 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 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. He insists that he thinks women should be treated better and Mariko translates for him. Buntaro tells Mariko to tell John about her family, which she does even though John tells her this isn't necessary.
After Buntaro hurts Mariko physically, John is enraged. 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.
Later, 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.
Gifts from Toranaga[]
Later, an earthquake unexpectedly happens and John helps unbury Lord Toranaga who gets covered after the ground opens up. John then rushes to check on Fuji to make sure she is okay.
Lord Toranaga awards him a fief, a salary, and names him Chief Admiral of the Kanto and general in charge of the cannon regiment as a reward for saving his life again. He also gifts him a night with the best courtesan in town, Kiku. John awkwardly goes to visit Kiku, with Mariko by his side translating. When Kiku invites John and Mariko to an adjoining room, Mariko declines and departs leaving John and Kiku to spend the night together.
Waiting for War or Surrender[]
John asks about his role during the Crimson Sky, specifically wondering if he’ll have maritime command. Toranaga hasn’t decided yet and Mariko tells him to let it go until he decides. He gets restless, especially after Saeki comes, wondering what he can do to help. After Lord Toranaga surrenders, John jumps up in frustration and walks away.
Reuniting with his Men[]
Mariko hands John is journals back and informs him once they are delivered to Ishido in Osaka, his service will be completed and he is free to leave them. She also tells him the crew from his ship are in this city.
John Blackthorne encounters Father Martin Alvito, who asks him about his plans after his service to Toranaga ends. He tells him his intention to get his men and his ship back and to go find the Black Ship.
John goes to find his men, who are drunk off saké and singing loudly and belligerently. One man, Salamon, chases a prostitute out of the room. He sees John and calls out to him. John tells him they’ve received clearance to go home but Salamon says no, doubting that the Pilot will just take them home instead of on another adventure to satisfy his own ambitions. They end up in a fight and John beats Salamon until he is no longer moving.
Later, John approaches Yabushige about sailing a ship on his behalf. Yabushige initially rejects the offer but then changes his mind.
Confrontation in Osaka[]
John travels with Mariko and Yabushige to Osaka. Yabushige advises John to stay close once they arrive because Ishido’s men will meet them immediately. John and Yabushige go to see the Council of Regents to surrender and offer condolences for Daoyoin’s death. Yabushige claims he was deceived into leading Toranaga out of Osaka but Ishido isn’t buying Yabushige’s story believing him to be a traitor. He delivers the Anjin as a gift to apologize but Ishido says the heir isn’t interested in barbarians.
When Mariko insists on leaving with Kiri no Kata and Shizu no Kata then when blocked insists she will commit suicide because it would be an offense to disobey her lord who demanded she return, John questions Mariko's intentions. She aims to go through with it. At sunset, Mariko sits and lays a knife in front of her. She asks Lord Kiyama to step forward as her second but he does not come, however John volunteers to do it. Just before she plunges the knife, Ishido comes to give her a permit to leave.
Later that evening, John and Mariko sleep together. Intruders break in and attempt to abduct Mariko, but John and Mariko manage fight them off. Mariko realizes that Ishido has sent shinobi to kidnap her. John and Mariko meet up with Toranaga's consorts and Yabushige before planning their escape. The group find themselves cornered in a storehouse by the shinobi, who are planning to blow the door open with explosives. As John attempts to find an exit, Mariko plants herself directly on the door, declaring Ishido a traitor for going back on his promise. Before John can stop her, the door is blown apart, killing Mariko in the process and knocking John unconscious.
Moments later, John regains consciousness and rushes to Mariko, but becomes heartbroken to find her dead. Some days later, John dreams of himself back in England as a dying old man, surrounded by memorabilia from his time in Japan that amaze his two grandsons. He awakens in the castle and is informed by a doctor that Mariko had been laid to rest in the time he'd been unconscious. Later, he is escorted out of Osaka by Lord Kiyama's men and Father Martin Alvito. The two discuss how Mariko would have been happy to see them acting cordial with one another, and Father Martin suggesting that there may be a possibility the feud between their differing faiths could one day cease to exist, but John disagrees, feeling that their conflict will never end. Before John returns to Ajiro, Father Martin informs him that Mariko had made an arrangement with the Church to spare him before she died, causing John to weep in grief.
Return to Izu[]
On the way to Ajiro. Yabushige, in a haze of guilt and regret, begs John to take him with him to his home country. Approaching Ajiro, John is shocked to see his ship sunk, suspecting that sinking of his ship was what Mariko had arranged with the Church. Back in the village, John learns that Yabushige was involved in the attempted abduction of Mariko and is sentenced to commit seppuku the next day for his betrayal. John is further horrified with Toranaga ruthlessly torturing and killing the villagers in search of the spies who sunk the Erasmus.
Later that night, John is told by Fuji that she will be leaving the village to become a nun. John requests that she stays as his consort, but Fuji declines. John amicably accepts her rejection before asking her to write a note to Toranaga, requesting to see him.
The next day, John requests to Toranaga that he leaves Ajiro alone and to stop torturing the villagers, but is rejected. John reveals to Toranaga that Mariko had arranged for his life to be spared in exchange for the Erasmus to be sunk, but Toranaga refuses to spare his treatment of the villages. John attempts sepukku in an effort to get the villagers spared but is stopped by Toranaga, who orders him to build a fleet. Later that day, John brings Fuji out to the sea to spread her family's remains in thanks for her service to him. While there, John drops Mariko's rosary into the water, accepting her death. In the end, John, with the aid of the villagers and Buntaro, salvages the wreckage of the Erasmus with Toranaga looking on.
Personality[]
John is restless and adventurous. He is a very confident man, whether it be with his crew on a ship, or in Japan when faced with a possible death or detainment.
Appearances[]
Historical Background[]
John Blackthorne is based on the historical figure William Adams (24 September 1564 - 16 May 1620), known in Japanese as Anjin Miura (三浦按針, lit. 'the pilot of Miura'). Adams was an English navigator who, in 1600, became the first Englishman to reach Japan. He did not receive permission to leave Japan until 1613.
In Japan, Adams swiftly became a pivotal advisor to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Notably, he played a crucial role in overseeing the construction of the country's first Western-style ships for the shogun. Adams went on to facilitate Japan's approval for trading factories established by the Netherlands and England. Additionally, he actively participated in Japan's Red Seal Asian trade, leading and captaining four expeditions to Southeast Asia.
Although eventually given permission to return home to England, he ultimately decided to stay in Japan where he died at the age of 55. He became known as one of the most influential foreigners during this historical period.[1]
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