At the beginning of the season, when Toranaga is trapped in Osaka, his nephew Omi asks Yabushige why he doesn't want to inform Toranaga about the arrival of Blackthorn's vessel. And Yabushige tells him "Why tell a dead man the future ?" Toranaga had been spying on him and manipulating him the whole time.
Thats why toranaga smiles back he went out a badass eveb tho he was a snake.I remember reading that if you were a coward they wouldn't cut your head off just let you bleed out and cry out in pain so you wouldn't regain your honor n die a coward, so you had to not show fear n die like a man if you were hated they would screw you over so you die in shame.
@@vincegalila7211 well, technically, I think Yabu stabbed his belly, then made the cut, removed the blade, and repeated the process. I think he did it 4 times to try and flex his self-control, as a final act of vanity.
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
@@billbaggins1688 No. Only in the way that Sun-Tzu was born closer to Japan. Opportunistic pragmatism is Machiavelli's central aim, while discipline is Sun-Tzu's central aim. Toranaga would happily throw away discipline if he saw an opportunity that furthered his goal of being Shogun, and so is more Machiavellian. Let me put it another way... A follower of Sun-Tzu would always be seeking to surround themselves with people who are capable, and would try to keep that retinue alive. A Machiavellian, by contrast, will surround themselves with people they can sacrifice to further their own success. Toranaga uses the deaths of even capable allies to move himself closer to being Shogun. (ADD) Let me put it yet another way: A follower of Sun-Tzu has morals and principles, and would sacrifice themselves for any of a number of duties. A Machiavellian doesn't - and would murder every good person they know to gain or maintain their hold on power.
@@alexjgilpin You should read "Il Principe" before talking about what Machiavelli stated, which isn't the classic plot schemer character attributed to him.
I feel like it was almost meta. Blackthorne is presented as Toranaga’s ace up his sleeve- but really it was Mariko and he ends up not super crucial to the plot or Toranaga’s plan. But he’s entertaining so you still want him in the story lol
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
@@jmgonzales7701 yes, not to make a trite comparison or anything, but his attitude reminds me of Stannis in GoT. Doesn't come across as truly power-hungry in the morally-vacant and self-serving way, but still very motivated and pragmatic in pursuit of it, as he believes in his ability, responsibility, and 'birthright' to lead. A sort of apathetic benevolence in a brutal world, as someone who is privy to the levers of power, the vulnerability of the commons, the dark secrets and machinations of the powerful...
@@missbelled6700 yeah dude in terms of morals isnt really a good man. Nor is he truly evil he is apathetic, i dont think he has morals... he is a man who uses logic and pragmatic thinking than emotion. Great character.
@@LetsGetitBoah I beg to differ, not to be spoiler but what Toronaga does after he becomes Shogun does confirm Yabushiges accusation, that Toranaga is no different from him exept being really good at it.
"A place that's 1000 years behind us? Am I supposed to be impressed by wooden 1 storey homes? I'm from the land of grand palaces, and the former Roman empire" Is what most Europeans thought when seeing japan then.
They were smirking at each other because, at the end of the day, Yabushige ended up serving Toranaga’s cause excellently; whether he was aware of it or not, and he died with the satisfaction of that knowledge.
I don't think he died smiling because he was happy to have served, at all. He always wanted to survive, so he'd serve whoever could best guarantee that, and loyalty was just a word. However, I also don't think he smiled because he wanted to learn about death due to his obsession with it. He spent far too much effort avoiding death and trying to learn instead from others' deaths. If he smiled for a reason -- and I wasn't even sure he smiled on my original viewing; I thought it was more of a grimace and a "what are you waiting for?" look to Toranaga -- I think it might have been because he was going out by his own hand, on his own terms, like Rodriguez said in episode 1.
@@awlabrador you are also right. I love your point of view, too. I just love the part that they smirked at each other in the end and some form of understanding, whatever it was-my interpretation or yours-passed between them
The beauty of Yabushige's character is his attitude towards death. His fear throughout most of the series is not just of being killed, but of dying for a lost cause. One can see that Toranaga really appreciates his free spirit, this execution being basically a veiled reward. He denies Yabushige of a dishonourable death, forces the man to pick him as his second and during those last moments together he gives him a glimpse of his secret heart, that one that is buried deep for none to see. So when Yabushige understands what his actions meant for his liege and for Japan as a whole, he quickly goes out with a grin on his face. This is the "beautiful" death he craved.
Oh gosh thats so well said. He dies not just because he realizes Toranaga is just like him, but also that he has been aiding Toranaga’s cause the whole time. As in, not a lost cause.
The smirk he gives Yobushige after he asks if in his heart he really wanted to be Shogun before chopping his head off was GREAAAT. He didn’t tell a dead man the future but he did confirm it.
I like the implication that even the sentence itself is a roundabout confirmation. Yabushige asks if Toranaga aims to be Shogun, and when Toranaga says "why tell a dead man the future?", he's confirming that his ascension to Shogun *IS* the future. Combined with the fact that this is mirroring something Yabu said earlier, which he never thought would get back to Toranaga in the first place, it really is a perfect line, complex on multiple levels, with so much meaning both direct and implied.
@@EvilOttoJrProductions This is a drama, and a feudal lord does not cut people with his own sword. He orders his subordinates to do everything, and he only watches and checks.
Yabushige has always looked at Toranaga as being a higher man than him, but just before he dies, he realizes who Toranaga is: “You’re no different from the rest of us, you don’t have any higher ideals or principles, you just want power”. Toranaga talks about unifying Japan and I think Yabushige knows that’s just BS. That’s why he laughs at Toranaga. He’s almost acknowledging him, like “I see who you are, but well played”, and Toranaga smirks in return, acknowledging Yabushige. Yabushige, more than most people and in his last moments, can see Toranaga for exactly who he is and Toranaga knows this. It’s a knowing smile/smirk. There’s a clear respect between these two. They’re both deceptive, manipulative, strong, sneaky, charismatic, survivors. They see these things in each other.
I think they became almost equal in that moment. Yabushige picked the wrong side but played his hand near perfect. It’s a good thing he understood the importance of a will.
@@Glogdome In that split moment just before Yabushige dies, their lord/vassal relationship goes away and it’s just two men. It’s a clear contrast with Hiromatsu and Mariko, who both died still serving Toranaga blindly. Like you say, Yabushige dies nearly as his equal.
@@Glogdome Not sure I agree - Yabushige did pick the wrong side but he, throughout the show, NEVER plays his hand right, and it's almost always used for comedic effect; the fact that no matter how much betraying and side-changing he does, he just ends up getting in MORE trouble every time.
“I will start it in Edo, my center of power”. The sleepy little fishing village of Edo will eventually take on a new name that means “east capital”, Tokyo.
Here, we realize that Toranaga is no different from Ishido. He’s a power-hungry warlord. We were believing the whole time that he was avoiding war to protect innocent lives, but in reality he was just covertly destabilizing Osaka until they were so weak that he could just walk in and take the throne of Shogun.
What is this “we” speak for yourself. A guy who is killing innocent villagers, has lords under him that boil people to death, ends up harming innocents to find out who burnt a ship(he himself was behind it by the way) is someone who the audience thought is protecting innocent lives? we were not all fooled lol. He’s a very charismatic leader of course but some of Us knew he wanted to be shogun right from the start when he was amassing great power as a regent
No Ishido was completely loyal to the heir , he even tried at one point to secure the succession with a plan that involved killing himself. Didn't work though
You could learn Toranaga intention from one of the early episodes. After he denied wishing being Shogun, John saw his suit of armor. It was described to him as being handcrafted by Toranaga's specifications to look like an armor from Minowara period.
@@jmgonzales7701 Minowara were ancestors of Toranaga and bearers of Shogun title. He claimed he doesn't care about the title of his ancestors. but ordering this armor shows otherwise.
bro youre so right. the show said the armor appeared to toranaga in a dream. and in the last scene he was like "my dream will finally be realized." his dream was to be shogun.
@@RatstrangerExcept his Minamoto origin was doubtful at best. He changed his name, his real name was Matsudaira Takechiyo. (I’m talking about Tokugawa Ieyasu-the real life version of Toranaga)
@@JackMeoff46technically (in real life). Any of the Daimyo in Sengoku Jidai who wished to be Shogun, would seek a way to relating themselves to either Minamoto, or Taira clan, as to increase the legitimacy. Ieyasu wasn't the first one, Ashikaga Takauji (founder ot Ashikaga Shogunate) also doing the same
Lol, the whole time while Toronaga is explaining his whole layout of the plan, Yabushige was going through it 😭. Especially when Toronaga told him he expected him to see the end. Yabushige's character was extremely well played. SHOW IS A BANGERRRR
I said this on a different clip but what's funny is that this isn't the first time Hiroyuki Sanada's character beheads Tadanobu Asano's character. It also happened in 47 Ronin when Hiroyuki Sanada was playing Oishi and Tadanobu Asano was playing Lord Kira.
Hiroyuki Sanada, like in 47 Ronin, actually decapitated Tadanobu Asano in this scene. Rachel Kondo loved it so much so she kept it in the final cut for realism.
The best way to grasp the mentality of Torunaga and Yabushige is how they handle poems. Torunaga's is a sophisticated mind that grasps the complexity of formulating perfect words and beauty to create memorable sequences. Yabushige's is rather crude and simple; yet, so easy to read in the eyes of others. Translate that into their plans and you begin to see why Torunaga is still able to stay ahead of his enemies while Yabushige's hand is constantly being exposed. You can also see that with how the regent is viewed through the eyes of Mariko. Yabu is constantly asking what is his lord's plan, hoping for a simple answer while Mariko is able to see her master's masquerade with perfect clarity.
But that’s the great thing about Yabushige; all through the show, he’s shown to be a rather normal man (with weird impulses). He’s not some high-level chess player; he’s just a regular dude trying to move up in the world…and not die. In a world where everyone wants to be Toranaga, it’s very refreshing to deal with a straightforward dude like Yabushige.
@Scientist118 that couldn't be further from true, Yabushige is obsessed with poetry to the point of collecting the last words of dying men in order to search for meaningful phrases. Kiri-no-Kata also says when Toranaga repeats a line from Marikos haiku that those words are "too beautiful for him" and asks him who wrote them, implying Toranaga is not necessarily a highly skillfill poet. We do see him engage in an exchange of haikus with Mariko but we also see Omi do so with Yabushige. If anything Yabushige is the better poet
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
Yes but no. Yabushige's plan always back-fired because his nephew was the spy all along. His nephew has been feeding Torunaga on Yabushige's plan since Esp. 1. This is evidenced by Yabushige telling his nephew he would not report the capture of Arijin's ship in Esp. 1 because "Why tell a dead man the future?". Torunaga repeated the same phrase to him before the final stroke.
@@MrSamurajoIchiba knows Toronaga is loyal to the heir so he would not harm him. But she changing her mind so suddenly is an obvious plot hole. Through the story, her animosity towards Toronaga was impressed time and time again. Mariko's death is insufficient imo to change that. These people were not unnerved by death.
@@richardbachman1260 In the book, one of the reasons Ochiba does not send the heir to battle was because Toranaga will have to kill him, as he thinks it "regretfully". Toranaga always has contingencies. And he is loyal only to himself and his goal. As Yabushige notes in that version.
@@richardbachman1260 She experienced so many political maneuvers and backstabbings in her life and suddenly trusts a guy who is well known for being shady over a guy that was under her influence. If this is not a mistake then I don't know what is xd
@@richardbachman1260 She sided with Ishido but not realising the power hungry snake he is, killing Mariko is more than sufficient imo and spoilers, she was right to distrust Toranaga as he eventually becomes Shogun as was always his intention. The Heir ends up commiting Sepuku.
Nobunaga Oda once said, "Victory is achieved through careful planning and execution." Part of that was his belief that most of the factors that lead to victory on the battlefield are determined by the preparation one takes well before meeting your enemy on the battlefield. It seems Toranaga took his ally/partner's philosophy to heart
On his victory over Imagawa forces, he took a roll of dice against overwhelming odd and through trickery was able to slain Lord Imagawa. His advisors told him to held up in his castle, but that will only delay the inevitable. He and his men went out in the middle of night in the midst of driving rain and managed to totally surprised Imagawa forces.
I politely disagree. I actually think that this entire show is all about the deep internal struggles and rewards of being patient. The virtue of waiting for the perfect time to strike. If Toranaga had flailed around, initiating Crimson Sky the second he was scared, he would have failed. The hawk in the opening episode is a perfect metaphor. Everyone knows he is waiting for his chance to strike, and they assume that he'll do exactly that out of desperation. Instead he waits, lets his enemies grow divided, bored, takes advantage of confusion, lets them grow impatient and fumble around trying to figure out the next move. Great show, with a multitude of great actors.
There are only two differences between him and the other wanna-be rulers: he is actually related closely enough to the emperor to be eligible as Shogun, and he won.
@@KoflerDavid However, in real life, it’s unknown whether Tokugawa Ieyasu was actually a Minamoto descendant or not or if being a Minamoto necessary for the position of shogun. He could be bullshitting his way to the throne by fabricating his lineage (just like many other daimyos in that era. Oda was a Taira pretender. Toyotomi, who’s a peasant born, used his military might to force the Fujiwara clan to adopt him, hence he got a position of “Taiko” which only reserved to Fujiwara family) to make him a shogun. The emperor couldn’t say no either because Tokugawa had a strongest army in the land so he let it slide with legitimacy and recognized Tokugawa as a shogun.
Is not cheeet me, i saw from start, Toranaga need slaves and nothing more, AND HE WILL DO EVRITHING TO save his life....i think he is coward. No difrent from him and Ishido, they are mans of politics and nothing more
" why tell a dead man the future "Exactly what yabushige said to his son at the start of the series, so he revealed to him that his hair was a spy all the time.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
The common saying in Japan about the Three Unifiers (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu): "If the bird won't sing, kill it" - Oda Nobunaga "If the bird won't sing, make it" - Toyotomi Hideyoshi "If the bird won't sing, wait for it" - Tokugawa Ieyasu
The smirk in the end is many things at once and I love it. They smirk because 1-Torunaga says what yabu said in ep1, meaning omi was snitching on him since day 1. 2-Yabu smirks because even though Torunaga and others thought he was afraid of death like a coward, Yabu stabs himself without a moment of hesitation. That smirk was like "I was never scared, it was just an obsession" and Torunaga smirks back with acknowlegement" And 3, if Torunaga truly didnt want to be Shogun, he would just say "no" but its not that simple. Yabu stabs himself and smirks with the knowledge of seeing his lord as someone who is just like him. In a way, they are equals. And Torunaga smirks, acknowledging the point he makes. All 3 are present in their final exchange.
He doesn't want to be a shogun, but in able to achieve what he really wants, he has to be one. The shogunate is more of a tool for him, not the actual goal.
@@webdev2670 He wants to be a Shogun, there are many hints. If he didn't want to he could've killed himself and let Yabu take charge to spare his clan misery. His desire was probably there since Mariko was a child, he was probably the one that killed the original leader and let Mariko's father take the fall. Since then he was playing a long game.
@@webdev2670 Oh he does want to be. One of the clues is the ceremonial armor Blackthorn admires in one of the episodes. Its the armor in Minowara style (Torunagas ancestors who held the shogun title) and in the show it is said to be made on Torunagas order cause he saw it in his dream. Also Torunaga's real historical counter-part Ieiasu Tokugawa definately wasnt loyal to Taiko's son (Toyotomi Hideyori). In reality after he gained power he ordered Lady Ochiba killed. Married his daughter to Toyoyomi Hideyori and when he became adult and some opposition formed around him, he had him killed along with his daughter (Tokugawa Ieiasu's granddaughter) thus ending Toyotomi bloodline. He was cunning, powerhungry and quite dishonorable lord.
@@Altairific No, it was Mariko's father who killed Kuroda, but in Ochiba's version of the events that preluded the Kuroda assassination we are told this in the show: "I saw him in the shadows, plotting". I think the showrunners wanted us to think that he and Akechi were close and its is not beyond doubt the he planted the seeds of rebellion in Akechi's mind, even manipulating Mariko afterwards for his own gains. The only thing that delayed his plan was the Taiko somehow acting swiftly before even Toranaga has the chance to capitalize
A lot of people have missed the fact “why tell a dead man the future” is something Yabushige said about Toranaga earlier in the season. Toranaga knew everything.
The small smirk or even smile of acknowledgement was perfect from Yabu right before he was executed. After spending the entire series a step behind Toranaga's plan, he was finally on the same page as him and understood him with that simple quote "why tell a dead man the future" to answer his question of wanting to be Shogun. An elicit answer to a simple yes or no question, but Yabu finally understood. Yes, Toranaga wanted to be Shogun (if that wasnt obvious by the show name). Toranaga was the same as everyone, he wasnt some noble man wanting to protect the heir. He was the same as everyone, wanting power. Clawing at the ladder but he was better than that. He wanted ultimate power as Shogun. Playing his hand expertly no matter the flop. Yabu finally saw the complexity of his lord's plan and smiled.
Yabushige - "It's what you've always wanted, isn't it?" Toranaga - "Yes, with my plan fully in motion I am one step closer to being FX's Shogun now streaming on Hulu."
Great scene but I am surprised Anjin wasn't present as, in the books and previous series, Yabu wanted Anjin there as his witness and because he saw Anjin as his "only friend". Regardless, great series.
This scene was Shakespearean, pure and simple. A conversation between a dead man and his executioner, sharing their deepest dreams and secretes before the act is done. Something only the main character and the audience knows. And that line “Why tell a dead man the future?” *chef’s kiss*
In the book he thought of Blackthorn like one of his training hunting falcons, point it at a target and let it loose, giving it a scrap of meat from the kill.
@@markhatfield5621it’s more than that, he considers Blackthorne his only true friend. In a culture full of subtle social cues and political scheming, Blackthorne is shockingly straight forward, and has no designs on gaining political power. Torunaga sees the irony that the one man that can be a true friend to him without any of the baggage that was part of their culture is a foreigner.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
report channel. The episode just came out ew hours ago(not yet even out in other platform) and this attention wh*re immediately uploaded with a spoiler title. niceee
That last smile Toranaga gave Yabushige tells it all! "I won't say it outright, but I will confirm it, I wanted power all along and schemed all the way just like you did. The only difference between us is that I was more shrewd than you and came out on top. But we're more like than not." Not even Hiromatsu or Mariko were able to penetrate Toranaga's eightfold fence and see him for who he really was. That honor was only bestowed on Yabushige, because he was a kindred spirit. The best scene in the series.
I've been to Sekigahara. It is a small town in the middle of a depression very much like they showed in that graphic. When I got off the train, there were volunteers handing out info on the locations, history etc. I asked one of them where the battlefield was, he just looked all around while pointing to everything. Worth the visit. Maybe don't go in winter though, snow gets deep there.
What is truly astounding is that while they make their play for power, there is still an emperor in Japan being kept in seclusion and devoid of any real authority yet this dynasty which still exist today has lasted 1500 years. Fun fact, Hideyoshi who conquered the entire Japan peninsula was of peasant origin and the Emperor refuse to give him the title of Shogun as his origin was far too humble. The actor for Toranaga also acted in a movie called the The Twilight Samurai which is an amazing film and worth the watch.
The Emperor was just lucy that the whole of Japan see him as a god, if it's not for that most daimyo's specially Ieyasu would have offed him a long time ago.
What a fu king show this was. They managed to make all the climactic historic moments of the story occur in a brief expositional flash forward after the end of the story and it’s still a completely incredible scene.
I know some are expecting a full on battle for this finale, i did too but I kinda like this ending. It shows Toranaga is about 10 steps ahead in his critical thinking. Such a badass character that we rarely see nowadays on television. It has been a pure joy watching this series. Hopefully there's a season 2 in the future.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
@@geoffreyherrick298 Yes, youre right. I was wrong. But "season one" covered whole book of James Clavel and theres no second book (that would continue this particular story). So I i have no idea what will be the content of secon season.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
@@jmgonzales7701 And that is exactly why i loved it! amazing writing, and it respects the audience's intelligence too unlike so many films and tv series we see these days..
Yabushige was fascinated with the idea of death from the beginning of the series. That last smirk he gave to toranaga for me it was that he was satisfied with the fact that the future SHOGUN himself was his second and for it he was honored as Toranaga said everyone made that reality possible and that even yabushige's actions made that possible. So he was satisfied. And truly respected Toranaga as a politician and a leader.
Love how decisive Yabushige suicide was. Not much ritual (sitting properly, taking off the top, slowly draw the blade). He just quickly stab himself! I think Toranaga smiled because he still has the gumption to turn around smile at death.
Yabushige was my favorite character of the whole season. He constantly changes sides to the one winning at the moment, *everyone* knows he keeps doing it, and his catchprase is "Well, time to write another will". He barely had any morals, he just wanted to survive the chaos unfolding around him, until the moment in which he's told he's going to be executed, after which he says: "Give me the most spectacular execution possible then". He's just there to have a blast, and I loved that about him
Yabushige’s smile at the end was seppuku perfection. They were friends and he was so happy to share his moment of death with him. Toronaga smiled in return acknowledging a job well done.
What gets me is how he so easily drew and stabbed himself. When you can release your life that easily, there is little to nothing that you fear on this earth. You're free.
Him drawing the sword and forcing the ceremony to proceed is so cold I love this scene ❤ finally u reveal ur plans to him right before he dies smh if he had stayed loyal it wouldn’t have worked
Yabushige did not betray me until the end. ``Death Haiku'' That was a silly haiku that an anime character would say, and it was so funny it made my stomach hurt.
@@factspoken9062 Well, it's different from Japanese, isn't it?. Is that how it was translated in English? The subtitles have been translated in a way that conveys Yabushige's personality, but also conveys his deep feelings. Japanese haiku says something completely different. The subtitles were probably chosen based on the judgment that Western audiences would be able to better understand Yabushige's deep feelings. Or is it a haiku based on the original work? I could see that this work carefully considered the differences in mentality between the East and West, as well as the discrepancies in how they were received. That's an amazing piece of work. thank you. By the way, the haiku that Oumi read out in Japanese is: "Don't burn the dead body, don't bury it, let it be exposed in the open, and feed the hungry dogs." This haiku made me laugh. It's childish, free writing that can't really be called a haiku. However, although the written content is laugh-inducing and typical of Yabushige, I felt that there were deep feelings lurking deep within Yabushige's heart. However, if you translated it directly to Westerners, you might be concerned that they would focus on "Japanese people being barbaric". The Japanese people laughed out loud at the expression, which was typical of Yabushige. This is Yaegaki. However, everyone probably understood the sentiment behind this haiku.
I like how Yabushige doesn't perform the seppuku ritual properly. You're supposed to open your garment so your stomach is bare, and slide the blade along your stomach. He just stabs himself through his clothes. Even beaten, he gets to go out on his own terms.
Yabushige, along with Anjin was a honest character with their thoughts appeared to us. Every other characters had these 8 walls concealing their minds to be shown. That's why majority of Shogun fans loved Yabushige
Any Bond villain: 'Let me tell you my evil plan before I leave you alone to die an agonizingly slow death in a complex (and prone to failure) plot" Toranaga: "Why tell a dead man the future" ... slash ... done. I'm totally with Team Blofeld here!
i love how the line "why tell a dead man the future" just exposes that Toranaga knew Yabushige was trying to work against him the entire time, and when he says "the barbarian, you have me to thank for him too" Toranaga knew (and Yabushige probably gathered that his lord knew) that whenever he actively served Toranaga it was cause he had to so just smiles in acceptance that as hard as he tried to serve himself he served Toranaga Impeccably.
Yabushige’s look back to Toranaga is my favorite scene in the series. His death scene encapsulates his character’s obsession with death so well. In the end he looked death in the eye, and smiled.
I like his method of stabbing himself: He wasn't afraid to die and he knew himself well after studying death: The only way he would be able to do that which he had so desperately tried to avoid was as fast and instinctually as possible.
He wasn't expected to stab himself but to slit his belly, right? I am no expert on this but stabbing was for women? Anyway, I was really disappointed he didn't try at least for once to be his own boss and simply kick Toranaga down the cliff or fight him with the short sword he had. I know he would be killed anyway, but he could have committed suicide after that. He realizes that his master is just another power-hungry piece of shit and he was moving him like a puppet all the time and instead of becoming legend who ended shogun-wannabe Toranaga during his own seppuku, he just puts his head down and let it be cut off. Opportunity lost.
@@geminiXXX You aren't slitting open the skin, you're stabbing deep, turning the blade, making another cut, and in theory making a third after that. Obviously most people would likely at best only be able to stab themselves which was the main point of the decapitation: killing you before you made a sound which would have dishonored you.
At dawn, on the twenty-first day of the tenth month, the Month without Gods, the main armies clashed near Sekigahara astride the North Road, in foul weather, starting with fog, followed by sleet. By late afternoon Toranaga had won the battle and the slaughter began. Forty thousand heads were taken. Three days later, Ishido was captured and Toranaga genially reminded him of the prophecy and sent him in chains to Osaka for public viewing, ordering the eta (the lower classes) to plant the General Lord Ishido's feet firm in the earth, with only his head outside the earth and to invite passerbys to saw at the most famous neck in the realm with a bamboo saw.
I like how "Why tell a dead man the future" is basically and admission from Toranaga. I think that, despite everything, he respected Yabushige in the end.
The death poem of Yabushige is that of the legendary courtesan "Jigoku-Dayu (The Hell Courtesan)" who lived about 100 years before the time of the Shogun's story. She was an unparalleled beauty, dressed in a kimono with a hell pattern, and greeted her customers while chanting Buddhist prayers.
Brilliant part about the ending is that Toranaga always kept his cards close to his chest, never let his emotions get the better of him to allow anyone else get a glimmer of his thoughts. Until this moment - he knew Yabushige was going to the "great void" so allowed himself to share these feelings, giving us the one and only true insight to Toronaga's true desires. If anyone has, or does, read the absolute mamoth this book is, you'll know these final few pages are the only time you're ever in the mind of Toronaga
something i love about this scene is how unceremonious it is. every other seppuku in the show is rife with ceremony, but yabushige just tosses omi his poem, sits on his ass, looks out at the sea, then suddenly sticks himself and turns to look his second in the eye. it's just so yabu.
Two things stand out here for me. One is the fact that leading up to this scene, even when clearly found out and marked for death Yabushige still pokes around for favor and possibly a way out, he may often offer to kill himself but the man is all fight until 100% beat (similar to the beginning cliff scene). This is also backed up by how he commits seppuku. Every other individual simply follows the rules and commits in silence, on their knees, with a slow full cut across the belly. The fight in this man won't allow that so he uses no ritual and simply self stab to commit to his fate but also makes sure it has to be someone else who finally kills him and looks death in the eyes smiling. Secondly, while Toranaga says he keeps the Anjin for fun I think he simply doesn't waste any piece that may help him. The Anjin saved his life twice so without him in at least the first instance of sneaking out he would have died. The Anjin is more to him than just a jester.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
This is also my favourite part in the whole book, which i love dearly. Not Yabu dying but Toranaga has a very long inner monologue where he talks to himself about whats happened, how he will continue to keep Blackthorne around, how he has planned almost every aspect of whats happened, and how he will finally be Shogun. He was just biding his time. Without any major battle or major climax, the last page or so made me feel such unbelievable joy, the climax of all Toranagas plans, everyone doubted him but he was playing them the whole time. Nobody really understood just how clever he was
Oh and how he will respect lady Ochiba and the heir, but that they will never set foot outside Osaka castle again. He will be in charge alone, and begin a dynasty that will last hundreds of years
Yabushige did not understand Toranaga's true intentions until the end, so there was no point in keeping him alive. Toranaga's true intention is "A nation without war. an era of great peace." However, he was only preoccupied with his own desires and immediate matters, and could not understand until the end. Toranaga decided that Yabushige could not be like Hiromatsu and Lady Mariko, and ended the question and answer by saying "Why tell a dead man the feture?".
I love that it keeps the audience guessing his intentions most of the time. Just subtle hints and facial expressions along the way. Like when the older lady who owns the tea house asks why he would have left his defenses open for his brothers troops to march on him, and she questions why he would make such a mistake unless part of a bigger plan. He denies it, but gives a slight smile. Similar to the scene here when asked if he plans to be shogun, a slight grin is all you get.
Best sequence of the finale (along with Yabu's arraignment and sentencing). Like everything else in the series, it's not what you see, it's what's behind it all. Even though he couldn't trust him, Toranaga still likes Yabushige and considers him a friend. He rightly could not let the Anjin be the second as he was for Mariko, because he had been betrayed. Toranaga could second him justly and with personal compassion. Top tier writing and performance.
First introducing Yabushige, he appeared as a badass leader. Then he became a troll, but in the end his character was just badass and imo one of the best of the show.
At the beginning of the season, when Toranaga is trapped in Osaka, his nephew Omi asks Yabushige why he doesn't want to inform Toranaga about the arrival of Blackthorn's vessel.
And Yabushige tells him "Why tell a dead man the future ?"
Toranaga had been spying on him and manipulating him the whole time.
It was a masterclass of manipulation..
Wow, just realized this.
So was his fisherman spy there to hear that? Or is it implied that Omi was a spy for Toranaga as well?
@@willsanderson9376 omi as its later shown how much he dislikes yabushige
Great recollection !
"Why tell a dead man the future?" Badass in its simplicity. Like getting your own personalized haiku poem before you die.
Thats what he said when he got the cannons from anjin hiding it from toranaga
@@crispford That’s also why he smiled because he finally realized that Omi is the snitch all along since Omi was with him when he said this.
@@nont18411the game is the game. Just like Marlo, Yabu also learnt the rules
Toranaga likes having Omi around. He's smarter than his uncle and will keep him on his toes.
lol
Yabushige had the coolest Seppuku in cinema history. No bullshit, went straight for it, smiled, and done!
In the book, he manages to stab his belly 4 times before indicating he was ready to be beheaded.
Thats why toranaga smiles back he went out a badass eveb tho he was a snake.I remember reading that if you were a coward they wouldn't cut your head off just let you bleed out and cry out in pain so you wouldn't regain your honor n die a coward, so you had to not show fear n die like a man if you were hated they would screw you over so you die in shame.
Yabushige was amazing but that title should go to Hanshiro Tsugumo from Harakiri. Amazing movie. One of the best of all time.
@@matthewdietzen6708 thought a proper Seppuku involves three cuts not four stabs.
@@vincegalila7211 well, technically, I think Yabu stabbed his belly, then made the cut, removed the blade, and repeated the process. I think he did it 4 times to try and flex his self-control, as a final act of vanity.
"Wait...it was shogun the whole time!?"
"Always has been...
Underrated comment.
"I shogunned because I liked it...and I was good at it." -Toranaga probably
@@Jim-Mc”I did it for me”
"And that is why I must become FX's Shogun now streaming on Hulu" - Toranaga
@@Jim-Mcit was at this moment toranaga becomes shogunberg
“I don’t control the wind, I study it.”
A true Machiavellian character if ever there was one.
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
More Sun-Tzu than Machiavelli.
@@billbaggins1688 No. Only in the way that Sun-Tzu was born closer to Japan.
Opportunistic pragmatism is Machiavelli's central aim, while discipline is Sun-Tzu's central aim. Toranaga would happily throw away discipline if he saw an opportunity that furthered his goal of being Shogun, and so is more Machiavellian.
Let me put it another way... A follower of Sun-Tzu would always be seeking to surround themselves with people who are capable, and would try to keep that retinue alive. A Machiavellian, by contrast, will surround themselves with people they can sacrifice to further their own success. Toranaga uses the deaths of even capable allies to move himself closer to being Shogun.
(ADD) Let me put it yet another way: A follower of Sun-Tzu has morals and principles, and would sacrifice themselves for any of a number of duties. A Machiavellian doesn't - and would murder every good person they know to gain or maintain their hold on power.
@@billbaggins1688 Nope, Toronaga is definitely Machiavellian
@@alexjgilpin You should read "Il Principe" before talking about what Machiavelli stated, which isn't the classic plot schemer character attributed to him.
Yabushige: Dude I brought you Anjin remember
Toranaga: Yeah I just keep him around for the lolz
😂
Toranaga: "He ain't gonna die either coz he too funny" 😂😂
So true, 😂it's like a mock to John but also a compliment cause John has naval knowledge
toranaga also wanted a friend him saying he's funny is basically saying they are friends.
I feel like it was almost meta. Blackthorne is presented as Toranaga’s ace up his sleeve- but really it was Mariko and he ends up not super crucial to the plot or Toranaga’s plan. But he’s entertaining so you still want him in the story lol
Torenaga’s smirk was him saying “yes, I’ve always wanted to be Shogun.”
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
The book implies he didn't really want to be. The smirk to me means he's sort of mocking Yabushiges belief in that.
@@jmgonzales7701 yes, not to make a trite comparison or anything, but his attitude reminds me of Stannis in GoT. Doesn't come across as truly power-hungry in the morally-vacant and self-serving way, but still very motivated and pragmatic in pursuit of it, as he believes in his ability, responsibility, and 'birthright' to lead. A sort of apathetic benevolence in a brutal world, as someone who is privy to the levers of power, the vulnerability of the commons, the dark secrets and machinations of the powerful...
@@missbelled6700 yeah dude in terms of morals isnt really a good man. Nor is he truly evil he is apathetic, i dont think he has morals... he is a man who uses logic and pragmatic thinking than emotion. Great character.
@@LetsGetitBoah I beg to differ, not to be spoiler but what Toronaga does after he becomes Shogun does confirm Yabushiges accusation, that Toranaga is no different from him exept being really good at it.
Rodrigues really nailed it down in his final warning to Blackthorne.
"When you see it, ask yourself: What kind of a man holds power in such a place?"
"A place that's 1000 years behind us? Am I supposed to be impressed by wooden 1 storey homes? I'm from the land of grand palaces, and the former Roman empire" Is what most Europeans thought when seeing japan then.
No, it wasn't xD
By this time, the Japanese were manufacturing their own guns.
@@Jonna-vm2wd in Europe they were still bathing in shit water and applying leeches. You know that, right?
@@samuelbrown3405 They're just racist tbh. It's some crazy shit to say japan was "1000 years behind" europe lmao
@@NVanonimo i know. I just love reminding these Euro-centric trash that their practices were just as "barbaric" or worse than their Asian counterparts
They were smirking at each other because, at the end of the day, Yabushige ended up serving Toranaga’s cause excellently; whether he was aware of it or not, and he died with the satisfaction of that knowledge.
That's not why he's smiling at all.
Yabushige is obsessed with how people die - their final moments. That's why he smiles.
@@Th3ch0s3n0n3s you are correct.
No. Toranaga smiled to say " yes, im same as you in my secret heart, i wanted to be shogun, now take it to grave"
I don't think he died smiling because he was happy to have served, at all. He always wanted to survive, so he'd serve whoever could best guarantee that, and loyalty was just a word. However, I also don't think he smiled because he wanted to learn about death due to his obsession with it. He spent far too much effort avoiding death and trying to learn instead from others' deaths. If he smiled for a reason -- and I wasn't even sure he smiled on my original viewing; I thought it was more of a grimace and a "what are you waiting for?" look to Toranaga -- I think it might have been because he was going out by his own hand, on his own terms, like Rodriguez said in episode 1.
@@awlabrador you are also right. I love your point of view, too. I just love the part that they smirked at each other in the end and some form of understanding, whatever it was-my interpretation or yours-passed between them
Literally every scene of this series featuring Ishido was him just getting really really pissed but holding back his anger lol
That's power for you, comes great responsibility
Except for lusting after Ochiba’s
@vre7474 he talked about superficial stuff when proposing marriage
@@Oakland510can't blame him for that
@@leonrussell9607 yeah fortune favours the brave. He shot his shot and she agreed to the marriage. Fair play
The beauty of Yabushige's character is his attitude towards death. His fear throughout most of the series is not just of being killed, but of dying for a lost cause.
One can see that Toranaga really appreciates his free spirit, this execution being basically a veiled reward. He denies Yabushige of a dishonourable death, forces the man to pick him as his second and during those last moments together he gives him a glimpse of his secret heart, that one that is buried deep for none to see.
So when Yabushige understands what his actions meant for his liege and for Japan as a whole, he quickly goes out with a grin on his face. This is the "beautiful" death he craved.
tbh i think yabu is not really a person who just fears death, its about what his death will be. Like u said he doesn't want to die for the lost cause.
Oh gosh thats so well said. He dies not just because he realizes Toranaga is just like him, but also that he has been aiding Toranaga’s cause the whole time. As in, not a lost cause.
Yes, this scene perfectly climaxes so many story lines. True artistry. The more you watch great scenes the more you see on so many levels
The smirk he gives Yobushige after he asks if in his heart he really wanted to be Shogun before chopping his head off was GREAAAT. He didn’t tell a dead man the future but he did confirm it.
I like the implication that even the sentence itself is a roundabout confirmation. Yabushige asks if Toranaga aims to be Shogun, and when Toranaga says "why tell a dead man the future?", he's confirming that his ascension to Shogun *IS* the future. Combined with the fact that this is mirroring something Yabu said earlier, which he never thought would get back to Toranaga in the first place, it really is a perfect line, complex on multiple levels, with so much meaning both direct and implied.
@@EvilOttoJrProductions This is a drama, and a feudal lord does not cut people with his own sword. He orders his subordinates to do everything, and he only watches and checks.
Yabushige has always looked at Toranaga as being a higher man than him, but just before he dies, he realizes who Toranaga is: “You’re no different from the rest of us, you don’t have any higher ideals or principles, you just want power”. Toranaga talks about unifying Japan and I think Yabushige knows that’s just BS. That’s why he laughs at Toranaga. He’s almost acknowledging him, like “I see who you are, but well played”, and Toranaga smirks in return, acknowledging Yabushige.
Yabushige, more than most people and in his last moments, can see Toranaga for exactly who he is and Toranaga knows this. It’s a knowing smile/smirk.
There’s a clear respect between these two. They’re both deceptive, manipulative, strong, sneaky, charismatic, survivors. They see these things in each other.
I think they became almost equal in that moment. Yabushige picked the wrong side but played his hand near perfect. It’s a good thing he understood the importance of a will.
@@Glogdome In that split moment just before Yabushige dies, their lord/vassal relationship goes away and it’s just two men. It’s a clear contrast with Hiromatsu and Mariko, who both died still serving Toranaga blindly. Like you say, Yabushige dies nearly as his equal.
なるほどね～。
皆さんのコメント読んでからこのシーン見返すと鳥肌。
Toranaga is Avon Barksdale. yabushige is stringer bell
@@Glogdome Not sure I agree - Yabushige did pick the wrong side but he, throughout the show, NEVER plays his hand right, and it's almost always used for comedic effect; the fact that no matter how much betraying and side-changing he does, he just ends up getting in MORE trouble every time.
Yabushige was my favorite character. Despite everything
Nooo, my marikooo 😢
My favorite rat
mine too
He really nailed it in this character.
My favorite as well. I held out hope that he would be spared, but understand the culture, that was never in the cards nor would he likely accept it.
“I will start it in Edo, my center of power”. The sleepy little fishing village of Edo will eventually take on a new name that means “east capital”, Tokyo.
And become the stomping grounds of a certain red haired ronin
Here, we realize that Toranaga is no different from Ishido. He’s a power-hungry warlord. We were believing the whole time that he was avoiding war to protect innocent lives, but in reality he was just covertly destabilizing Osaka until they were so weak that he could just walk in and take the throne of Shogun.
And poor Ishido in reality was actualy loyal to Taiko's heir (Toyotomi Hideyori) to the end.
He DID protect innocent lives from civil war for next 260 years. No small feat
史実では石堂のモデルの石田三成が彼を憎む大名に襲撃されたとき、虎永のモデルの徳川家康は仲裁して和解させている
徳川家康はここで石田三成を殺してしまうと次に自分が攻撃の対象になるので彼を生かして更に政権を混乱させ分裂させる
最後は石田三成を暴発させて戦いで殺す
What is this “we” speak for yourself. A guy who is killing innocent villagers, has lords under him that boil people to death, ends up harming innocents to find out who burnt a ship(he himself was behind it by the way) is someone who the audience thought is protecting innocent lives? we were not all fooled lol. He’s a very charismatic leader of course but some of
Us knew he wanted to be shogun right from the start when he was amassing great power as a regent
No Ishido was completely loyal to the heir , he even tried at one point to secure the succession with a plan that involved killing himself. Didn't work though
Yabushige started the show with being saved from the cliff by the Anjin and ended the show with being sent down the cliff by Toranaga.
Poetic.
on my momma this show is beautiful 🙏
So true 👍
Full circle
like pottery
He also kneels helplessly before Toranaga at the very spot the Anjin had in the beginning of the show
Toranaga: "Yes man I always want to be the shogun. It was me who was the antagonist the entire time muhuhahaha"
3:39
😂😂😂😂😂 epic!!!
Really bad exposition
Spoilers
I read the book
yeah pretty much
And then he shoguned all over the place
The sequel is 200 years of the Toranaga shogunate.
Does it end with the Bakumatsu? Edit: yes it does!
It called Gintama
@@mulawarmankwsuper Rurouni Kenshin.
It’s also called James Clavell’s “Gai-Jin”
The sequel is The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise, where the boy emperor ends the samurai I.e Shogun rule
You could learn Toranaga intention from one of the early episodes. After he denied wishing being Shogun, John saw his suit of armor. It was described to him as being handcrafted by Toranaga's specifications to look like an armor from Minowara period.
i dont get it
@@jmgonzales7701 Minowara were ancestors of Toranaga and bearers of Shogun title. He claimed he doesn't care about the title of his ancestors. but ordering this armor shows otherwise.
bro youre so right. the show said the armor appeared to toranaga in a dream. and in the last scene he was like "my dream will finally be realized." his dream was to be shogun.
@@RatstrangerExcept his Minamoto origin was doubtful at best. He changed his name, his real name was Matsudaira Takechiyo. (I’m talking about Tokugawa Ieyasu-the real life version of Toranaga)
@@JackMeoff46technically (in real life). Any of the Daimyo in Sengoku Jidai who wished to be Shogun, would seek a way to relating themselves to either Minamoto, or Taira clan, as to increase the legitimacy. Ieyasu wasn't the first one, Ashikaga Takauji (founder ot Ashikaga Shogunate) also doing the same
God that smirk from Toranaga is just glorious lol u devious genius
Lol, the whole time while Toronaga is explaining his whole layout of the plan, Yabushige was going through it 😭. Especially when Toronaga told him he expected him to see the end. Yabushige's character was extremely well played. SHOW IS A BANGERRRR
I said this on a different clip but what's funny is that this isn't the first time Hiroyuki Sanada's character beheads Tadanobu Asano's character. It also happened in 47 Ronin when Hiroyuki Sanada was playing Oishi and Tadanobu Asano was playing Lord Kira.
Practice makes perfect.
That's really why they smiled at each other.
Hiroyuki Sanada, like in 47 Ronin, actually decapitated Tadanobu Asano in this scene. Rachel Kondo loved it so much so she kept it in the final cut for realism.
Sanada's like the go to actor for any Japanese period piece. I'm pretty sure he's in the Last Samurai too.
@@rakijr9176he played Ujio
The best way to grasp the mentality of Torunaga and Yabushige is how they handle poems. Torunaga's is a sophisticated mind that grasps the complexity of formulating perfect words and beauty to create memorable sequences. Yabushige's is rather crude and simple; yet, so easy to read in the eyes of others.
Translate that into their plans and you begin to see why Torunaga is still able to stay ahead of his enemies while Yabushige's hand is constantly being exposed. You can also see that with how the regent is viewed through the eyes of Mariko. Yabu is constantly asking what is his lord's plan, hoping for a simple answer while Mariko is able to see her master's masquerade with perfect clarity.
Nice.
But that’s the great thing about Yabushige; all through the show, he’s shown to be a rather normal man (with weird impulses). He’s not some high-level chess player; he’s just a regular dude trying to move up in the world…and not die. In a world where everyone wants to be Toranaga, it’s very refreshing to deal with a straightforward dude like Yabushige.
@Scientist118 that couldn't be further from true, Yabushige is obsessed with poetry to the point of collecting the last words of dying men in order to search for meaningful phrases.
Kiri-no-Kata also says when Toranaga repeats a line from Marikos haiku that those words are "too beautiful for him" and asks him who wrote them, implying Toranaga is not necessarily a highly skillfill poet. We do see him engage in an exchange of haikus with Mariko but we also see Omi do so with Yabushige.
If anything Yabushige is the better poet
I wouldnt say toranaga he is a good person or a moral paragon. I wouldn't say he is a villain or evil. He is very pragmatic and knew what to do in order to win, he is certainly power hungry and very wise on what to do with his power.
Yes but no. Yabushige's plan always back-fired because his nephew was the spy all along. His nephew has been feeding Torunaga on Yabushige's plan since Esp. 1. This is evidenced by Yabushige telling his nephew he would not report the capture of Arijin's ship in Esp. 1 because "Why tell a dead man the future?". Torunaga repeated the same phrase to him before the final stroke.
Lady Ochiba sees Lord Toranagas secret heart and that is why she fears him
Yeah and then proceeds to make the most dangerous for her and her son guy become to sole ruler xD Huuge mistake
@@MrSamurajoIchiba knows Toronaga is loyal to the heir so he would not harm him. But she changing her mind so suddenly is an obvious plot hole. Through the story, her animosity towards Toronaga was impressed time and time again. Mariko's death is insufficient imo to change that. These people were not unnerved by death.
@@richardbachman1260 In the book, one of the reasons Ochiba does not send the heir to battle was because Toranaga will have to kill him, as he thinks it "regretfully". Toranaga always has contingencies. And he is loyal only to himself and his goal. As Yabushige notes in that version.
@@richardbachman1260 She experienced so many political maneuvers and backstabbings in her life and suddenly trusts a guy who is well known for being shady over a guy that was under her influence. If this is not a mistake then I don't know what is xd
@@richardbachman1260 She sided with Ishido but not realising the power hungry snake he is, killing Mariko is more than sufficient imo and spoilers, she was right to distrust Toranaga as he eventually becomes Shogun as was always his intention. The Heir ends up commiting Sepuku.
Nobunaga Oda once said, "Victory is achieved through careful planning and execution."
Part of that was his belief that most of the factors that lead to victory on the battlefield are determined by the preparation one takes well before meeting your enemy on the battlefield. It seems Toranaga took his ally/partner's philosophy to heart
Huh Tsun Sze?
Maybe he did friend
On his victory over Imagawa forces, he took a roll of dice against overwhelming odd and through trickery was able to slain Lord Imagawa. His advisors told him to held up in his castle, but that will only delay the inevitable. He and his men went out in the middle of night in the midst of driving rain and managed to totally surprised Imagawa forces.
@@lennylim4959 no, Toranaga is Japanese Batman without mask
Toronaga is a fictional character based of Oda nobunaga and in a way is a tribute to his character
Hesitation is defeat, and he accept his victory like a champ
@THEINVISIBLEWARRIORRNext episode, Yabu holds his fallen head and becomes a new enemy
I politely disagree. I actually think that this entire show is all about the deep internal struggles and rewards of being patient. The virtue of waiting for the perfect time to strike. If Toranaga had flailed around, initiating Crimson Sky the second he was scared, he would have failed. The hawk in the opening episode is a perfect metaphor. Everyone knows he is waiting for his chance to strike, and they assume that he'll do exactly that out of desperation. Instead he waits, lets his enemies grow divided, bored, takes advantage of confusion, lets them grow impatient and fumble around trying to figure out the next move. Great show, with a multitude of great actors.
Toranaga is the ultimate Machiavellian.
There are only two differences between him and the other wanna-be rulers: he is actually related closely enough to the emperor to be eligible as Shogun, and he won.
@@KoflerDavid However, in real life, it’s unknown whether Tokugawa Ieyasu was actually a Minamoto descendant or not or if being a Minamoto necessary for the position of shogun. He could be bullshitting his way to the throne by fabricating his lineage (just like many other daimyos in that era. Oda was a Taira pretender. Toyotomi, who’s a peasant born, used his military might to force the Fujiwara clan to adopt him, hence he got a position of “Taiko” which only reserved to Fujiwara family) to make him a shogun. The emperor couldn’t say no either because Tokugawa had a strongest army in the land so he let it slide with legitimacy and recognized Tokugawa as a shogun.
@@KoflerDavidthe other leaders are just stupid
can the antagonist be the main character and the Good guy of the story?
@@jmgonzales7701 definitely so. Check out Dune.
wow Toranaga is such a great trickster he even tricked the viewers that all this build up would lead to an epic battle...
Is not cheeet me, i saw from start, Toranaga need slaves and nothing more, AND HE WILL DO EVRITHING TO save his life....i think he is coward. No difrent from him and Ishido, they are mans of politics and nothing more
@@moonfast-sp1vn So, playing the mind games and doing some very risky trickery is cowardly? You're funny.
@@moonfast-sp1vn lol i bet disney heroes are your role models
@@thebukojoeplays Ned Stark and most of his family would have survived had he resorted to misdirection and trickery.
Even FX promoted the battle. The cover of the show is Toranaga riding to battle with an army on horseback. They lied to us.
" why tell a dead man the future "Exactly what yabushige said to his son at the start of the series, so he revealed to him that his hair was a spy all the time.
Not his son, Omi is his nephew.
Toranaga was out there playing 3D chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
everyone else was playing with sticks in the mud*
I always thought Blackthorn was the main character until I watch the last episode then look at the show's title
The common saying in Japan about the Three Unifiers (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu):
"If the bird won't sing, kill it" - Oda Nobunaga
"If the bird won't sing, make it" - Toyotomi Hideyoshi
"If the bird won't sing, wait for it" - Tokugawa Ieyasu
Except the owner of the Tea House. She's the only one who knew what was up.
I could just watch an entire tv show with just these two actors talking in japanese for hours. Spectacular performances from Sanada and Asano.
Maybe the real Shogun was the seppukus we had along the way
Hai
Hahahah
No hesitation whatsoever. Went out like a total legend. Rest in Power Yabu
The smirk in the end is many things at once and I love it. They smirk because
1-Torunaga says what yabu said in ep1, meaning omi was snitching on him since day 1.
2-Yabu smirks because even though Torunaga and others thought he was afraid of death like a coward, Yabu stabs himself without a moment of hesitation. That smirk was like "I was never scared, it was just an obsession" and Torunaga smirks back with acknowlegement"
And 3, if Torunaga truly didnt want to be Shogun, he would just say "no" but its not that simple. Yabu stabs himself and smirks with the knowledge of seeing his lord as someone who is just like him. In a way, they are equals. And Torunaga smirks, acknowledging the point he makes.
All 3 are present in their final exchange.
Precisely. Very well explained !
He doesn't want to be a shogun, but in able to achieve what he really wants, he has to be one. The shogunate is more of a tool for him, not the actual goal.
@@webdev2670 He wants to be a Shogun, there are many hints. If he didn't want to he could've killed himself and let Yabu take charge to spare his clan misery. His desire was probably there since Mariko was a child, he was probably the one that killed the original leader and let Mariko's father take the fall. Since then he was playing a long game.
@@webdev2670 Oh he does want to be. One of the clues is the ceremonial armor Blackthorn admires in one of the episodes. Its the armor in Minowara style (Torunagas ancestors who held the shogun title) and in the show it is said to be made on Torunagas order cause he saw it in his dream.
Also Torunaga's real historical counter-part Ieiasu Tokugawa definately wasnt loyal to Taiko's son (Toyotomi Hideyori). In reality after he gained power he ordered Lady Ochiba killed. Married his daughter to Toyoyomi Hideyori and when he became adult and some opposition formed around him, he had him killed along with his daughter (Tokugawa Ieiasu's granddaughter) thus ending Toyotomi bloodline. He was cunning, powerhungry and quite dishonorable lord.
@@Altairific No, it was Mariko's father who killed Kuroda, but in Ochiba's version of the events that preluded the Kuroda assassination we are told this in the show: "I saw him in the shadows, plotting". I think the showrunners wanted us to think that he and Akechi were close and its is not beyond doubt the he planted the seeds of rebellion in Akechi's mind, even manipulating Mariko afterwards for his own gains.
The only thing that delayed his plan was the Taiko somehow acting swiftly before even Toranaga has the chance to capitalize
I like to think the smile Toranaga gave him was him answering yes to the Shogun question and Yabushige understood it in his final seconds
A lot of people have missed the fact “why tell a dead man the future” is something Yabushige said about Toranaga earlier in the season. Toranaga knew everything.
The small smirk or even smile of acknowledgement was perfect from Yabu right before he was executed. After spending the entire series a step behind Toranaga's plan, he was finally on the same page as him and understood him with that simple quote "why tell a dead man the future" to answer his question of wanting to be Shogun. An elicit answer to a simple yes or no question, but Yabu finally understood. Yes, Toranaga wanted to be Shogun (if that wasnt obvious by the show name). Toranaga was the same as everyone, he wasnt some noble man wanting to protect the heir. He was the same as everyone, wanting power. Clawing at the ladder but he was better than that. He wanted ultimate power as Shogun. Playing his hand expertly no matter the flop. Yabu finally saw the complexity of his lord's plan and smiled.
この15年後（1615年）虎長のモデルの徳川家康は豊臣秀頼（世継）淀殿（落葉の方）を大阪城とともに滅亡させている
Yabushige - "It's what you've always wanted, isn't it?"
Toranaga - "Yes, with my plan fully in motion I am one step closer to being FX's Shogun now streaming on Hulu."
Yabushige was played by a great actor. His cluelessness in this scene was spectacular.
Bro the no hesitation straight into it and the turn, smiling that he’s about to see the great beyond, this show is fucking supreme
Great scene but I am surprised Anjin wasn't present as, in the books and previous series, Yabu wanted Anjin there as his witness and because he saw Anjin as his "only friend". Regardless, great series.
It would’ve felt off since the show really didn’t develop their relationship enough to warrant such a statement out of Yabushige
@@AllEyezSee I mean, he did ask the Anjin to be his 2nd.... Seems like a strong statement.
@@peasleadwell he was also responsible for Mariko death
Yabu's only friend is himself, he's really no different than Toronaga in terms of morals and ambition.
This scene was Shakespearean, pure and simple. A conversation between a dead man and his executioner, sharing their deepest dreams and secretes before the act is done. Something only the main character and the audience knows.
And that line “Why tell a dead man the future?” *chef’s kiss*
He said i just keep Blackthorn around for the bullshxt 😂😂😂
In the book he thought of Blackthorn like one of his training hunting falcons, point it at a target and let it loose, giving it a scrap of meat from the kill.
@@markhatfield5621it’s more than that, he considers Blackthorne his only true friend. In a culture full of subtle social cues and political scheming, Blackthorne is shockingly straight forward, and has no designs on gaining political power.
Torunaga sees the irony that the one man that can be a true friend to him without any of the baggage that was part of their culture is a foreigner.
It was hilariously epic😂
Yabu's sudden gaze and smirk shows relief despite facing a bitter end..
Crimson sky not a violent rush attack to osaka castle
Crimson sky marikos sacrifice swaying regents and ochibas favor to be on toranagas side.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
i didnt even fcking see the episode yet and youtube randomly recommended me this video lmaoo, k
report channel. The episode just came out ew hours ago(not yet even out in other platform) and this attention wh*re immediately uploaded with a spoiler title. niceee
yep ...me too..people shouldnt put spoilers in their fuking thumbnail...at least not this early after episode drops ffs
I thought this was just a little part but this part reveal everything, I have to watch the last episode first.
Nobody forced me to click but I won’t pass by🤣🤣🤣
@@yoshiYoishIRLcry harder, dont watch it
That last smile Toranaga gave Yabushige tells it all!
"I won't say it outright, but I will confirm it, I wanted power all along and schemed all the way just like you did. The only difference between us is that I was more shrewd than you and came out on top. But we're more like than not."
Not even Hiromatsu or Mariko were able to penetrate Toranaga's eightfold fence and see him for who he really was. That honor was only bestowed on Yabushige, because he was a kindred spirit.
The best scene in the series.
I've been to Sekigahara. It is a small town in the middle of a depression very much like they showed in that graphic.
When I got off the train, there were volunteers handing out info on the locations, history etc. I asked one of them where the battlefield was, he just looked all around while pointing to everything. Worth the visit.
Maybe don't go in winter though, snow gets deep there.
Shogun is the Godfather, Game of Thrones and the Usual Suspects all wrapped up into one. It’s brilliant.
The most cunning person Lord Toranaga
dude was very intelligent
What is truly astounding is that while they make their play for power, there is still an emperor in Japan being kept in seclusion and devoid of any real authority yet this dynasty which still exist today has lasted 1500 years. Fun fact, Hideyoshi who conquered the entire Japan peninsula was of peasant origin and the Emperor refuse to give him the title of Shogun as his origin was far too humble. The actor for Toranaga also acted in a movie called the The Twilight Samurai which is an amazing film and worth the watch.
The Emperor was just lucy that the whole of Japan see him as a god, if it's not for that most daimyo's specially Ieyasu would have offed him a long time ago.
What a fu king show this was. They managed to make all the climactic historic moments of the story occur in a brief expositional flash forward after the end of the story and it’s still a completely incredible scene.
It felt like a perfect circle, the start to the finish. A loop.
it was terrible
I know some are expecting a full on battle for this finale, i did too but I kinda like this ending. It shows Toranaga is about 10 steps ahead in his critical thinking. Such a badass character that we rarely see nowadays on television. It has been a pure joy watching this series. Hopefully there's a season 2 in the future.
Don't keep your hope up the books end this way
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
There's no season two.
@abalayn22 you're wrong. Season 2 is in development.
@@geoffreyherrick298 Yes, youre right. I was wrong. But "season one" covered whole book of James Clavel and theres no second book (that would continue this particular story). So I i have no idea what will be the content of secon season.
Why tell a dead man the future. Genius writing.
It’s what Yabu said to Omi. Omi was Toranaga’s spy all along.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
@@jmgonzales7701 you are absolutely right about that. It's not focused on the action. It's focused more on the era.
@@jmgonzales7701 And that is exactly why i loved it! amazing writing, and it respects the audience's intelligence too unlike so many films and tv series we see these days..
例え死者にも本音を語らない。
野心こそ虎永が八重垣の中に隠したものだったのか。ほんとにびっくりした。今まで見てきた虎永は本性でなく、それを最後のたった15分で見せるなんて。
Yabushige was fascinated with the idea of death from the beginning of the series.
That last smirk he gave to toranaga for me it was that he was satisfied with the fact that the future SHOGUN himself was his second and for it he was honored as Toranaga said everyone made that reality possible and that even yabushige's actions made that possible.
So he was satisfied. And truly respected Toranaga as a politician and a leader.
no offense, but the japanese really do have a unique outlook on life and death
Love how decisive Yabushige suicide was. Not much ritual (sitting properly, taking off the top, slowly draw the blade). He just quickly stab himself!
I think Toranaga smiled because he still has the gumption to turn around smile at death.
Congrats to Tadanobu Asano for doing such a good job. This was a great series.
I can’t believe how perfect this tv show is! I’m truly impressed
Yabushige was my favorite character of the whole season. He constantly changes sides to the one winning at the moment, *everyone* knows he keeps doing it, and his catchprase is "Well, time to write another will". He barely had any morals, he just wanted to survive the chaos unfolding around him, until the moment in which he's told he's going to be executed, after which he says: "Give me the most spectacular execution possible then". He's just there to have a blast, and I loved that about him
So freaking happy Tadonobu Asano got the Golden Globe for this role. He absolutely EARNED it.
Toranaga truly sending Yabushige on a trip to Belize, where Mariko went to.
I thought they went to Ibiza
no, he just made an incredible soccer ball out of him now the fish will enjoy it
actually if you'd paid attention to the show you'd know he was sending him to brazil
@@konanhuet623as a Brazilian, you are correct. Yabushige is my best pal now
Yabushige’s smile at the end was seppuku perfection.
They were friends and he was so happy to share his moment of death with him. Toronaga smiled in return acknowledging a job well done.
one of the best shows ever
Loved when Toranaga said, "It's Shogun time" and Shogunned all his way to his main city in Edo.
What gets me is how he so easily drew and stabbed himself. When you can release your life that easily, there is little to nothing that you fear on this earth. You're free.
I mean the guy begged to be fed to the fishes. He clearly didn't really fear death.
@@hafor2846yeah that was made evident from the cliff scene in Episode 1. Death really wasn’t a big deal for him, he just wanted to have a crazy one.
it kinda reminds me of a specific religion
Him drawing the sword and forcing the ceremony to proceed is so cold I love this scene ❤ finally u reveal ur plans to him right before he dies smh if he had stayed loyal it wouldn’t have worked
Omi was also Toranaga's spy, because he was the one to whom Yabushigue said the phrase: why tell a dead man the future?
If this show doesn’t win an Emmy, the whole award scene is a farce.
As long as its not for cosmo's acting lol
@@Accountfella8267 Cosmo is supposed to be the comic relief. Wasn't expecting fireworks.
Honestly kinda mad they killed him off. He was the most interesting and entertaining character. Bravo to the actor.
I was also upset, but it was inevitable. He doomed himself by trying to play both sides
they killed him off... twenty minutes minutes before the ending?
@@Turambar_499 friends with everyone. Allies to no one -etho
@@forsenfan69 yes you are correct what is your question
cringe
Yabushige did not betray me until the end. ``Death Haiku'' That was a silly haiku that an anime character would say, and it was so funny it made my stomach hurt.
here is the actual death haiku written by Yabushige:
No more sides to choose
No more wry smile
Bearded head falls
many yet to follow
It was also the death poem of the tea lady madam...they borrowed it.
Blue skies rise above the earth
Life is but a butterflies dream
Death, the way to eternal life.
@@ericworstis this from the book?
@@factspoken9062 Well, it's different from Japanese, isn't it?. Is that how it was translated in English? The subtitles have been translated in a way that conveys Yabushige's personality, but also conveys his deep feelings.
Japanese haiku says something completely different.
The subtitles were probably chosen based on the judgment that Western audiences would be able to better understand Yabushige's deep feelings. Or is it a haiku based on the original work?
I could see that this work carefully considered the differences in mentality between the East and West, as well as the discrepancies in how they were received. That's an amazing piece of work. thank you.
By the way, the haiku that Oumi read out in Japanese is:
"Don't burn the dead body, don't bury it, let it be exposed in the open, and feed the hungry dogs."
This haiku made me laugh. It's childish, free writing that can't really be called a haiku. However, although the written content is laugh-inducing and typical of Yabushige, I felt that there were deep feelings lurking deep within Yabushige's heart.
However, if you translated it directly to Westerners, you might be concerned that they would focus on "Japanese people being barbaric".
The Japanese people laughed out loud at the expression, which was typical of Yabushige. This is Yaegaki. However, everyone probably understood the sentiment behind this haiku.
I like how Yabushige doesn't perform the seppuku ritual properly. You're supposed to open your garment so your stomach is bare, and slide the blade along your stomach. He just stabs himself through his clothes. Even beaten, he gets to go out on his own terms.
He knows well that his friend Toranaga wouldn't really care much about rituals.
Yabushige, along with Anjin was a honest character with their thoughts appeared to us. Every other characters had these 8 walls concealing their minds to be shown. That's why majority of Shogun fans loved Yabushige
he might have been the best character if he wasn't just a turn coat and indirectly killed mariko
@@jmgonzales7701 Mariko was dead anyway. That was her purpose in Osaka, to die and put blame on Ishido's side.
@@jmgonzales7701 Marikos death was part of the game.
Any Bond villain: 'Let me tell you my evil plan before I leave you alone to die an agonizingly slow death in a complex (and prone to failure) plot"
Toranaga: "Why tell a dead man the future" ... slash ... done.
I'm totally with Team Blofeld here!
i love how the line "why tell a dead man the future" just exposes that Toranaga knew Yabushige was trying to work against him the entire time, and when he says "the barbarian, you have me to thank for him too" Toranaga knew (and Yabushige probably gathered that his lord knew) that whenever he actively served Toranaga it was cause he had to so just smiles in acceptance that as hard as he tried to serve himself he served Toranaga Impeccably.
Yabushige, the man obsessed with updating his wills, and the master of the sigh.
Lol
Yabushige’s look back to Toranaga is my favorite scene in the series. His death scene encapsulates his character’s obsession with death so well. In the end he looked death in the eye, and smiled.
I like his method of stabbing himself: He wasn't afraid to die and he knew himself well after studying death: The only way he would be able to do that which he had so desperately tried to avoid was as fast and instinctually as possible.
not many people will understand your comment!
He wasn't expected to stab himself but to slit his belly, right? I am no expert on this but stabbing was for women? Anyway, I was really disappointed he didn't try at least for once to be his own boss and simply kick Toranaga down the cliff or fight him with the short sword he had. I know he would be killed anyway, but he could have committed suicide after that. He realizes that his master is just another power-hungry piece of shit and he was moving him like a puppet all the time and instead of becoming legend who ended shogun-wannabe Toranaga during his own seppuku, he just puts his head down and let it be cut off. Opportunity lost.
@@geminiXXX You aren't slitting open the skin, you're stabbing deep, turning the blade, making another cut, and in theory making a third after that. Obviously most people would likely at best only be able to stab themselves which was the main point of the decapitation: killing you before you made a sound which would have dishonored you.
I love Yabu's smile at the end. I think in his last seconds he decided that Seppuku was a pretty good way to die after all.
At dawn, on the twenty-first day of the tenth month, the Month without Gods, the main armies clashed near Sekigahara astride the North Road, in foul weather, starting with fog, followed by sleet.
By late afternoon Toranaga had won the battle and the slaughter began. Forty thousand heads were taken.
Three days later, Ishido was captured and Toranaga genially reminded him of the prophecy and sent him in chains to Osaka for public viewing, ordering the eta (the lower classes) to plant the General Lord Ishido's feet firm in the earth, with only his head outside the earth and to invite passerbys to saw at the most famous neck in the realm with a bamboo saw.
I like how "Why tell a dead man the future" is basically and admission from Toranaga. I think that, despite everything, he respected Yabushige in the end.
The death poem of Yabushige is that of the legendary courtesan "Jigoku-Dayu (The Hell Courtesan)" who lived about 100 years before the time of the Shogun's story. She was an unparalleled beauty, dressed in a kimono with a hell pattern, and greeted her customers while chanting Buddhist prayers.
Brilliant part about the ending is that Toranaga always kept his cards close to his chest, never let his emotions get the better of him to allow anyone else get a glimmer of his thoughts. Until this moment - he knew Yabushige was going to the "great void" so allowed himself to share these feelings, giving us the one and only true insight to Toronaga's true desires.
If anyone has, or does, read the absolute mamoth this book is, you'll know these final few pages are the only time you're ever in the mind of Toronaga
might be the most badass scene in cinema history , or at least on the top
The trade of smiles was perfect, a small gesture that revealed they were equals all along, thats the best gift an ambitious man can get before defeat.
「死人に先々の話をして何とするっ」かっこいい。。。
something i love about this scene is how unceremonious it is. every other seppuku in the show is rife with ceremony, but yabushige just tosses omi his poem, sits on his ass, looks out at the sea, then suddenly sticks himself and turns to look his second in the eye. it's just so yabu.
Two things stand out here for me.
One is the fact that leading up to this scene, even when clearly found out and marked for death Yabushige still pokes around for favor and possibly a way out, he may often offer to kill himself but the man is all fight until 100% beat (similar to the beginning cliff scene). This is also backed up by how he commits seppuku. Every other individual simply follows the rules and commits in silence, on their knees, with a slow full cut across the belly. The fight in this man won't allow that so he uses no ritual and simply self stab to commit to his fate but also makes sure it has to be someone else who finally kills him and looks death in the eyes smiling.
Secondly, while Toranaga says he keeps the Anjin for fun I think he simply doesn't waste any piece that may help him. The Anjin saved his life twice so without him in at least the first instance of sneaking out he would have died. The Anjin is more to him than just a jester.
This show is pratically a legal drama, it focuses on feudal japanese politics and have bits of action here in there. Thou the action is very short and is not the point, i somehow prefer it that way. I like how most of the action is handled here its mostly through irregular warfare its often who gets the jump on someone or outsmart the other rather than just pure big battle that Hollywood is costumed to.
This is also my favourite part in the whole book, which i love dearly. Not Yabu dying but Toranaga has a very long inner monologue where he talks to himself about whats happened, how he will continue to keep Blackthorne around, how he has planned almost every aspect of whats happened, and how he will finally be Shogun. He was just biding his time. Without any major battle or major climax, the last page or so made me feel such unbelievable joy, the climax of all Toranagas plans, everyone doubted him but he was playing them the whole time. Nobody really understood just how clever he was
Oh and how he will respect lady Ochiba and the heir, but that they will never set foot outside Osaka castle again. He will be in charge alone, and begin a dynasty that will last hundreds of years
Yabushige did not understand Toranaga's true intentions until the end, so there was no point in keeping him alive.
Toranaga's true intention is "A nation without war. an era of great peace." However, he was only preoccupied with his own desires and immediate matters, and could not understand until the end.
Toranaga decided that Yabushige could not be like Hiromatsu and Lady Mariko, and ended the question and answer by saying "Why tell a dead man the feture?".
I love that it keeps the audience guessing his intentions most of the time. Just subtle hints and facial expressions along the way. Like when the older lady who owns the tea house asks why he would have left his defenses open for his brothers troops to march on him, and she questions why he would make such a mistake unless part of a bigger plan. He denies it, but gives a slight smile. Similar to the scene here when asked if he plans to be shogun, a slight grin is all you get.
Yabushige couldn't help but turn around to see how his own head will be cut
The actor who played Yabushige deserves an Emmy. The guy stole the entire show.
He failed his sudoku puzzle.
Nah. He freakn nailed it. In Short and to the point manner
Best sequence of the finale (along with Yabu's arraignment and sentencing). Like everything else in the series, it's not what you see, it's what's behind it all. Even though he couldn't trust him, Toranaga still likes Yabushige and considers him a friend. He rightly could not let the Anjin be the second as he was for Mariko, because he had been betrayed. Toranaga could second him justly and with personal compassion. Top tier writing and performance.
No final battle.
Just Toranaga explaining how he's already won before the battle even happens.
Masterpiece of a show
since ep1, Yabushige has been obsessed about the moment of death. I think he found what he was looking for therefore the smile at the end
Yabushige’s seppuku in this version is far more intimate and powerful than the 1980 version.
First introducing Yabushige, he appeared as a badass leader. Then he became a troll, but in the end his character was just badass and imo one of the best of the show.