5 Details You May Have Missed in Shōgun, Including *That* Manila

Philippines. (March 11, 2024) – Shōgun debuted on Disney+ with a bang and has ignited fervent discussions among history enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. Eager fans delved into the series, mapped out their predictions, and crafted their own theories. With only 3 episodes in,

Shōgun is on a trajectory to being a legendary show. Its elaborate production, extensive world-building, and deliberate character focus are – insofar as social conversations are concerned – comparable to other popular epic series.

Shōgun is also proving to be an easter egg paradise, encouraging fans and history geeks to examine every minute detail. And we did just that for you! Here’s a rundown of the little things you may have missed in the show so far:

It’s not just a Falcon

Did Lord Toranaga reveal his strategy? In case you didn’t know, feudal Japan was known for its Takagari or Falconry where a prey was raised by a falconer and trained to catch other birds or small mammals. Lord Yoshii Toranaga, the bushō of the Kanto region, said this line referring to the falcon who succeeded in killing its prey:

“Conceals herself against the sun. Conserving energy, waiting for her moment. You might never even know she’s there.”

Is this his strategy for the impending battle ahead? The bigger question is: who is Lord Toranaga’s falcon, Lady Mariko or Blackthorne?

Lady Ochiba may be smarter than you think

              “If he doesn’t receive the sacrament, he’ll be lost to God’s Kingdom.”

In the Taiko’s last moments, a Christian priest approached Lord Sadanaga, a Christian ally, to make sure the dying Taiko received his last rites and entered the Kingdom of God. To this, Lady Ochiba, the mother of the Taiko’s heir replied with “Or maybe God’s Kingdom is up your own ass. Have you thought of that?”

Was this the priest’s – and in extension, the Christians’ – way of asserting power and control to the throne? What role will Lady Ochiba play in spoiling the Portuguese's and Spanish’s plan?

How much does she know about their invasion plan? Is she the Falcon?

What role will lineage play in the fight for the throne?

“It’s not your name, Yoshii Toranaga, they fear – it’s your Minowara bloodline.”

As Lady Iyo discussed with Lord Toranaga about the current political situation and the heir’s safety, she briefly mentioned a detail about him that may or may not play a vital role in the looming war – his Minowara lineage, a historically powerful family in terms of political and military command. 

Although this gave Toranaga the strongest claim to the throne as a Shōgun in the absence of the Taiko, he had a different stand: “That title is a brutal relic from a bygone era,” he said.

As his enemies continue to conspire, pushing him to his limits, will he eventually change his mind?

Lady Mariko: Is that you Maria Clara?

Lady Mariko is a calm, intelligent, and trusted member of Lord Toranaga’s clan.

A Christian by faith, Lady Mariko was praying when Father Alvito visited Toranaga to seek approval for trade papers. As the two conversed, he briefly mentioned Lady Mariko’s previous confession of having dark thoughts and asked whether she was still having them.

What dark thoughts are lurking in her head? Will these affect her loyalty to Lord Toranaga and her homeland once war breaks out? How will she leverage her power and position to navigate through the uncharted territories and changing rules of the game?

Did someone say Manila?

“Sacked, slaughtered, and pillaged his way through Manila.”

We did not see that coming. Only three episodes in and the Philippines got a few #PinoyPride moments. In episode 2, after Blackthorne’s capture, the Christian priests got ahold of his journal, revealing his recent explorations in Asia, to be specific, in Manila.

Like every Filipino who listened to their teachers and did their history homework, we know that Magellan came to Cebu in 1521. Events in Shōgun are happening in 1600, which means that the references (a total of 3, we counted!) about Magellan and his expeditions could be a direct reference to our history.

Shogun is now available on Disney+, with new episodes streaming every Tuesday (PR)