The streaming provider Disney+ landed in 2024 with the series Shogun a surprise hit. The new edition of the cult series from the 1980s with Richard Chamberlain is popular with viewers and critics alike and is a real competitor to the series from rival Netflix.
In the series, the navigator (Anjin) John Blackthorne lands in Japan in the year 1600 after a long sea voyage. Only one of his ships has made it to Japan and most of his crew had died on the way to Japan. He is captured by Prince Toranaga. At the time, there is a struggle for power in Japan after the ruler (Taiko) has died and his underage son is not yet able to rule. Five warlords of equal status are appointed to lead the country until the son is old enough to take over. Lord Toranaga is one of these 5 warlords (daimyo).
John Blackthorne lands in the middle of this chaos. His nickname Anjin means navigator in Japan. He manages to gain the trust of Lord Toranaga, is released and from now on belongs to the lord's entourage. Anjin is drawn into the political power games and Japanese society and becomes a part of this chaotic time himself.
Where did the idea for the plot and the character Anjin come from?
The plot of the Disney series Shogun, just like the series from the 1980s, is based on the novel Shogun by James Clavell from the early 20th century. The novel is much more complex than the series and offers a wider range of historical information and more in-depth characters.
For the series, the content has been greatly shortened and relates almost exclusively to the main character Anjin.
What is the novel "Shogun" based on?
The novel Shogun by James Clavell is largely based on true events from Japanese history. Similar to the character Yasuke from Assassin's Creed Shadows, the plot is fictional. Nevertheless, there are some parallels with real personalities.
Anjin Jack Blackthorne
The character Anjin John Blackthorne is modelled on William Adams, who also Miura Anjin (navigator from Miura). Just like the character in the novel, the Englishman landed in Japan in 1600 after a voyage in which 4 out of 5 ships sank. As in the novel, he was captured.
However, his knowledge of navigation and shipbuilding was so valuable that he became an important confidant of the local ruler and later shogun. He enjoyed such a high level of trust that he was the first European to achieve the status of Samurai received.
Prince Toranaga
The character Prince Toranaga is based on the famous Edo Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Just like in the novel, he was entangled in the complicated politics of Japan and was a brilliant strategist and leader.
As in the novel, he ultimately prevailed over his opponents and became the ruler of the country with the title of Shogun, establishing the flourishing Edo Shogunate in the city of Edo, which lasted for 200 years.
Situation in Japan
The general situation in the novel also corresponds to the situation in Japan around the year 1600. Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi had died and his son Toyotomi Hideyori was too young to rule. There were too many powerful landlords (daimyo) in the country to secure rule.
As a solution to this problem, Toyotomi Hideyoshi appointed 5 powerful daimyo as rulers of the country. They were to rule until his son was old enough. With this move, Toyotomi Hideyoshi promised himself that the power of the 5 would cancel each other out.
There were a few clashes between the 5 families. In fact, at the beginning it looked as if the plan would work and the balance of power would be equalised. However, after some military successes, it was Tokugawa Ieyasu who prevailed over the other 4 and was appointed shogun.
He designated the city of Edo (now Tokyo) as the centre of his rule.
