'Shōgun' Ending Explained: Lord Yoshii Toranaga's crafty plot aids him in winning Ochiba-no-Kata's alliance
Contains spoilers for 'Shōgun' season finale
OSAKA, JAPAN: Time has finally come to bid adieu to the political realms of feudal Japan in FX's 'Shōgun'. The fascinating journey was initially viewed with skepticism due to its Japanese setting and frequent use of the language, with many suggesting that it would create a barrier among Western viewers.
However, the series has gained love and appreciation for remaining loyal to its origins.
The series followed John Blackthorne's (Cosmo Jarvis) journey as he unintentionally became embroiled in Japan's political intrigue and was recruited by Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) to gain ultimate power in feudal Japan.
After a lengthy build-up spanning nine episodes, everything made sense when Toranaga revealed his final plan.
Keeping a page from the previous episode, the finale also included the demise of a beloved character Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), who in the previous episode betrayed Toranaga, leading to Toda Mariko's (Anna Sawai) death.
However, much more transpired in the series finale, which is symbolic of the series' high caliber.
Kashigi Yabushige is ordered to commit seppuku in 'Shōgun' finale episode
After returning to Ajiro, Blackthorne is perplexed to see that his beloved ship Erasmus has been sunk to the bottom of the harbour, and he is told that it is the work of Christians.
In contrast, Yabushige is apprehended right away, as it is shown that he had an alliance with Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira), who was responsible for Mariko's killing.
Toranaga orders Yabushige to commit seppuku for his dishonorable conduct and rejects Blackthrone to be his second. Eventually, Toranaga agrees to be Yabushige's second.
John Blackthorne offers to commit seppuku in 'Shōgun' finale episode
Later, when Blackthorne meets Toranaga, he is surprised to learn Muraji's (Yasunari Takeshima's) true identity as Toranaga's spy, who also serves as a translator between the two.
Blackthorne says that Mariko would have detested the conflict between Christians and Japan, and he begs Toranaga to refrain from causing trouble in the village while he searches for the person who helped Christians destroy Blackthorne's ship.
At last, he reveals that Mariko struck a bargain in Osaka, revealing that his ship would be destroyed if he escaped unharmed.
In an attempt to persuade him, Blackthone suggests committing seppuku but Toranaga rejects this and demands that Blackthone repair his ship so that he may command a fleet.
Lord Yoshii Toranaga reveals his strategy to Kashigi Yabushige
Toranaga is seen waiting for Yabushige on a cliff and during their conversation, Toranaga reveals his actual motivation.
He revealed that he had wrecked Blackthorne's ship in order to test him, and emphasized that he believes Blackthorne would never be able to leave Japan.
The cunning Lord tells Yabushige that Crimson Sky has already ended since he has gained Ochiba-no-Kata's (Fumi Nikaido) support due to Mariko's death.
After Mariko died, Ochiba sent a covert letter to Toranaga pledging to withhold her son's army, thereby denying Ishido the alliance of heir.
Finally, Torangana slices off Yabushige's head, after telling him all about his plan.
Later, it is discovered that Usami Fuji (Moeka Hoshi) and Blackthorne are scattering her husband and son's ashes at Ajiro's harbor, where she prevents Blackthorne from throwing away Mariko's rosary, but he releases Mariko's crucifix, indicating that he will move on.
In the final moment of the episode, Toda Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe) is shown assisting Blackthorne in extracting the ship from the sea, indicating that he has accepted Blackthorne as one of them.
Toranaga is shown staring toward the horizon, anticipating the endless possibilities that his coming triumph will bring.
'Shōgun' trailer