'Shogun' on FX: How real-life English navigator William Adams inspired John Blackthorne's character
LAS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The FX miniseries 'Shōgun,' a historical drama, brings viewers to the shadowy realm of feudal Japan, where each character is pursuing their own goals.
The series, based on James Clavell's book of the same name, features characters inspired by real-life events.
The FX series comprises a total of ten episodes and was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks.
John Blackthorne is inspired by the English navigator William Adams
The concept of a foreigner entering feudal Japan and working for Tokugawa Ieyasu—another historical character who served as an inspiration for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) in the series—may seem fantastical.
However, that is indeed true. John Blackthorne is a fictitious character that draws inspiration from William Adams.
Adams, an English sailor born in the sixteenth century, was known for his adventurous spirit. Like Blackthorne, he often embarked on voyages across the vast expanse of the ocean's waves.
Like Blackthorne, Adams's life takes a dramatic turn when his commerce ship, Liefde (renamed Erasmus in the series), goes off course and lands in feudal Japan.
What are the parallels between John Blackthorne and William Adams?
The two share numerous similarities, the first being that they both encounter mistrust and hostility. Similar to Blackthorne, Adams was regarded warily upon his arrival in Japan due to his foreign origin.
Initially questioned because of his ethnicity, Adams endured numerous suspicious stares. However, over time, he demonstrated himself as an educated and resourceful asset to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Furthermore, just like in the series, where Blackthorne learns the essence of being a samurai from Toranaga, Adams worked relentlessly to learn Japanese, adapt to its conventions, and rise to become an advisor to the powerful daimyo.
William Adams was known as the 'Western Samurai'
It was also known that Tokugawa Ieyasu gave the pilot the title of 'Western Samurai.'
Tokugawa Ieyasu presented him with two swords symbolizing his samurai power and informed him that William Adams, the sailor, had died and that he must continue to live as Anjin Miura, a samurai.
Following that, Adams played a unique function in which he did not labor like a traditional samurai but rather assisted the shogunate in gaining knowledge of the Western world and became his main advisor.
The series premiered with its first two episodes on February 27, 2024, on Hulu and FX. The subsequent episodes are scheduled to be released weekly.
