How Historically Accurate is the Shogun TV Show?

Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the history of Japan continues with a video on FX's Shogun TV show, as we discuss how historically accurate it is.

Other videos on Japan and Shogunate:

Script: Dimitris Koutsoumis

#Documentary #Japan #Shogun

[GeminiBites]

It's so accurate that it turns out Blackthorne never left Japan he became a twitch streamer who cycles across Japan with a british dude

[g-unit-rlxz]

for fans of the show it was announced on may 16th that the show has recieved an extension for at least TWO more seasons.

[theawesomeman]

I've already said this on another channel but I will say it again, the best thing about Shogun is that it makes you want to research the actual history of Japan.

[Rome.s_Greatest_Enemy]

TBH Shogun is more historically authentic rather than historically accurate

[NiklasMJ]

During Yabushige's Seppuku it is pretty much eluded to that Torunaga was indeed power hungry, and while he didn't plan the events unfolding the way they did, he pretty much ''rode them like a wave'' and changed his plans accordingly in order to come out on top. because he while claming otherwise actually did strive and dream of becoming Shogun.

[olorin]

Regardless of the accuracy, it transported me to another place and time more than any other recent work of televised fiction. My thanks to all involved in the production.

[v.d.]

William Adams and other crew members were actually saved and taken care of by locals when they arrived at Japan, not abused like in the show.

[teddyGros]

14:25 in John's defense, this was an attempt to cause further distrust and use Toranaga. John even later on admits to Toranaga that he tried to use him.

[bb]

About the stepping on the crucifix, the first Shogun episode, book and prior TV series accurately shows what is possible. A certain kind of Protestant, of that time, could step on a typical Catholic cross/crucifix. 
* In the early Reformation, Calvinists were against any kind of religious imagery and in mainland Europe they destroyed any religious art depicting human images that they could get ahold of. This included crucifixes which had sculptures of Jesus on the cross. 
* In the 1980 version of Shogun, in the cross scene, the image of the cross is a crucifix with the image of Jesus. A Calvinist would have no problem stepping on that or even destroying it.
* In 1600, could the Englishman, Blackthorne, be a Calvinist? Yes. Scotland adopted a version of Calvinism called Presbyterianism. In 1560 John Knox brought the Reformation to Scotland based on Calvin’s ideas.
* Under Elizabeth I, several English clergy were Calvinists. In the 1570s Puritans wanted the English church to follow Calvinist ideas like the Presbyterians.
* As for what is God in the series. Blackthorne makes in clear in the 2024 version that he believes that Jesus is God. That was not the dispute with the Catholics. The conflict included the veneration of saints such as Mary and the power of the Pope which were two of several of their disputes.

[TheGhost-]

“One season wonder”….


…Yeah, about that.

[ttrestle]

I literally just got done watching it for the second time last night. The second time I watched it with audio description on instead of just reading the subtitles. Definitely liked just the subtitles more especially because of the translation differences, but the audio description did teach me a few things That I didn’t know. I still think it’s the greatest television show I’ve seen in years.

[julioperez]

“A fiesta of shuriken and smoke bombs” ROFL🎉

[gn-z]

Came to Japan with William Adams.
Don't forget the Dutchman Jan Joosten.
He too served Tokugawa Ieyasu (Toranaga).
There is a place in Tokyo (Edo) named after him.

[wiktorberski]

This serial looks really good. A lot of effort was paid to make it looks realistic

[artemo.shapovaloff]

One of the most magnificent shows of this year, liked it much

[thefisherking]

I still haven't seen the new one because I don't have that streaming service, but I'm looking forward to watching it one of these days. The original series was great, and all the clips I've seen from this one look absolutely incredible.

[ursosentado]

Thanks for this! As a fan of the book since my teenage years, watching this series unlocked tons of memories, and now watching your comparisons with history sealed the deal.

[oteliogarcia]

the real spoiler is that the character we rooted for was the real bad guy

[chukolance]

I would have liked to see the compare and contrast of Toranaga's son "Yoshii Nagakado" who plays a key role in the show. I suspect it would be hard to decide which of Tokugawa's sons to compare to Yoshii Nagakado, but his ineptitude reminded me a lot of Hidetada.

[MythicTales]

I look forward to seeing more from you in the future. Your video has left me wanting more!