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One of the most acclaimed streaming series of recent memory, Shogun was based on a 1975 novel by author James Clavell that same book previously inspired a memorable 1980 TV miniseries that was also well-received if you're dad Reading The History website in the 9s you probably saw the gigantic
VHS box set somewhere on his shelf but what you might not have realized is that both the book and subsequent two miniseries were rooted in real Japanese history and provide a solid though fictionalized Chronicle of the formation of the actual Tokugawa shunt So today we're unpacking everything that really happened in Japan after the end of
Historical Context: Japan's Sengoku Period and William Adams' Arrival
Shogun let us know what other Japanese history you want to hear about all right gang time to keep Ronin Ronin ironing Ronin cell's novel Shogun is historical fiction emphasis on the second word but its Central relationship between a European sailor and a powerful feudal Lord facing a political crisis takes inspiration from the real story of English Navigator William Adams and his time as an adviser to Japanese feudal Lord Tokugawa yasu the book's setting also reflects the real history of Japan at the dawn of the 17th century at the close of what's known as the soku period the soju also known as the Waring States period was a century of political and social upheaval in Japan the central authority of the saga shunt was in
Decline and Regional feudal Lords were taking advantage of the power vacuum to expand their spheres of influence often sparking violent conflicts and rivalries against this backdrop a few leaders who later became known as great unifiers brought an end to these conflicts by centralizing their power and gradually replacing the Ash Kaga subnet with something new one of these unifiers was Toyota Mi hioshi a former Samurai who came from a peasant background but Rose in power until he was essentially Japan's deal ruler although he never attained the formal title of Shogun in 1598 with his health failing hioshi selected a council of five
Elders who would rule the nation until his 5-year-old son Shiori was old enough to take his place the most powerful member of the new Council was Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu who ruled over the Edo province also in 1598 34-year-old Englishman William Adams set sail for the east from roddam along with a company of Dutch merchants and his brother Thomas it was an exceptionally difficult Journey during a resupply stop on the African island of Cape verd half the crew caught a deadly fever which killed the expedition's leader Admiral jack mahu that tends to cast a shadow on the whole trip by the time they reached present day
Argentina the men were starving with some reduced to eating their leather clothing and gear even more crew members died from exposure due to freezing temperatures in the extreme South finally in September of 1599 the Dutch ships reached the Pacific Ocean on April 19th,, 1600 after 19 months at Sea the Journey's 23 total survivors out of more than 100 men who started out together anchored off the island of Kyushu Japan all of them at this point were sick or already dying only nine crew members in fact were able to stand under their own power upon reaching Japan their remaining cargo consisted of 11 chests of goods and a cash of weapons just don't ask them about the delicious leather as depicted in the series
William Adams: From Accused Pirate to Trusted Advisor
The only Westerners currently residing in Japan were Portuguese Jesuit missionary priests who served as interpreters for Adams and his crew mates fearful of international competition for Japanese favor and attention the Jesuits told their hosts that Adams and his crew were pirates and recommended a death sentence for all Adams and a merchant named Yano v l stain were sent to Osaka where they met with the powerful Lord of Edo Province Tokugawa easy throughout three meetings with Adams easy was able to determine that he had a deep knowledge of ships and navigation and would be more valuable as a living Ally than an executed prisoner easy sent Adams to Edo where he trained the Lord's army to use the
Cannons he had brought along on his ship once a power struggle developed between easy and other members of the Elder Council Adams actually served with easy Army in IDU and later fought in the decisive battle of Sahara that brought an end to the military conflict following his victory at Sahara yasu cemented its control over Japan by rewarding The Men Who had stood by him with land and titles Honda Masanobu the real easy Ally who inspired dashiki lush in Shogun was one of these Lords unlike the character's untimely death in the book and series the real Masanobu went on to become governor of sad who remained an important easy
Ally has also stripped Holdings from his enemies revoking many of the laundries held by the former leader still young son Hiori another important step in Yasu securing his power was changing his family name while he' had originally been identified with the MiniMoto Clan it was decided that claiming descendants from the Fuji Clan made a better case for his rise to Central Power so yasu started fabricating elements of his family history and hey who hasn't embellished a bit during a job interview in March of 16003 easy was formerly named Shogun by Emperor goo what's the difference between an emperor and a Shogun great question essentially the emperor was the supreme leader of Japan with a deity approved right to rule the
Shogun was more like a prime minister The Head of the State on the ground actually running things day to day but even after years of conflict and campaigning Tokugawa easy only technically remained in the role of Shogun for 2 years in 1605 he retired from the position and allowed his son and Heir Tokugawa hiara to take over behind the scenes it's likely this was a strategic move not only freeing the Elder Tokugawa from ceremonial duties but also helping to cement the transition of power to his son he essentially continued running the country for the next decade until his death in 166 though Yu's efforts in the years after Sahara had done much to establish him as the most powerful Lord in Japan earning the title of Shogun did not entirely bring an end to his opposition just as depicted in the series not all of Japan's feudal Lords felt that easy was the right man for the job or that his rise was even legitimate many continued to throw their support behind the former
The Fall of the Toyotomi Clan and William Adams' Continued Service
Leader's son Toyotomi Shiori who was still living in Osaka with his mother in 1614 the Toyotomi clan rebuilt Osaka C establishing themselves as a potential threat to the shogun's power the Tokugawa responded by marching their troops on Osaka in an assemblage that included Hond Masanobu and his son Hond masazumi an army led by Ieyasu's son the formal Shogun Tokugawa Chiara destroyed the new Osaka Castle in 1615 prompting Shiori and his mother to take their own lives the tough was then had all of their remaining living heirs executed permanently ending the Toyotomi clan and the final threat to the shogun's legitimacy sort of like the baptism
Montage in The Godfather only way more harsh both William Adams and his fellow Merchant costa VOD Stain continued to serve the Tokugawa Clan throughout this period it wasn't until 1611 more than a decade after he arrived in Japan that Adams heard of a British East India Company ship docked in Indonesia he was able to write to them and finally convey news to his family back back in England that he was still alive Adams was not formally granted the right to leave Japan and return home until 1613 though it's unclear if he'd ever made this request or was simply enjoying the new life he'd established for himself thanks to his service to
Tokugawa Adams had been granted the Japanese name Mura Anin he was given land around Edo and had been licensed to trade and run his own business though he already had a wife and child waiting for him back in England Adams married a Japanese woman and they had two more kids in 16 13 the English Captain John sarus arrived in Japan on his ship the clove hoping to establish a trading post for the English East India Company Tokugawa easy granted Adams the right to return to England along with Saras and his crew but after spending so many years in Japan he had trouble relating to the English Sailors and decided not to go back after all Adams remained in Japan for the rest of his life earning a living by helping European powers including the
Dutch and the British established trade Partnerships in the East he worked as a fixer translator and negotiator and as a Protestant he was dedicated to closing out the period in which Catholic Spain and Portugal had cornered the Japanese Market under his guidance the Dutch secured the exclusive rights to trade out of a port in dejima essentially removing it from Portuguese control and English merchants gained the right to build houses in Japan and trade at their choice of ports and marketplaces a permanent settlement was established for British merchants in Hiro the Tokugawa Shogun also brought relative peace to Japan after years of conflict between Waring factions this led to an explosion in culture and the Arts including the development of the ukio E style that Embraces Hedonism and Beauty the word Yukio roughly translates as floating
The Rise and Fall of William Adams: Navigating Trade, Politics, and Legacy in Edo Japan
World referring to both the lightness and exhilaration of the moment and the sadness that all such moments are fleeting the Kabuki and bunraku Theatrical Styles flourished in this period as did the production of distinctive woodblock prints fortunately for Adams and his Grand plans actual trade between Japan and the English was slow to develop his business's primary source of Revenue was exchanging Chinese goods for Japanese silver which was a much shorter trip than Japan to London at one point Adams also attempted to arrange expeditions to search for a rumored Northwest Passage from Asia to Europe which would speed the timing of deliveries back and forth but none of these ever got off the ground within 10 years the
English East Asia company essentially withdrew from the Japanese Market due to a lack of Interest Tokugawa easy died in 1616 at the age of 73 with his son Hiat already long established as the formal Shogun he requested to be posthumous deified so he could protect his descendants from Evil which box do you check to get that treatment and he was renamed to sho Dongen or great gong light of the East a longer being a kind of Buddha Chiara further cemented the Tokugawa central role of authority by marrying Kazuko the daughter of emperor guno their daughter eventually took the throne as empress meisho every Royal hierarchy is basically a soap opera in 1618
Adams attempted to settle a conflict between Dutch and English merchants in Hiro he appealed to the Shogun heart but did not receive any help making it clear that his special relationship with the father held no Sway With the son during a trading expedition to tonin'' in present-day Vietnam he contracted a tropical disease he finally succumbed in May 1620 in the Japanese city of pada and split his belongings between his English and Japanese families by the time his inheritance reached London in 1622 his English wife Mary Hine had already passed away Adams was not actually the last of his original crew mates in Japan at that point
Mvfor and Vincent Romain continued to live relatively quiet lives in Nagasaki in 1635 hi successor Shogun Tokugawa e Mitsu announced the Sakoku Edict which was intended to eradicate foreign influence from Japan particularly Christian Japanese residents of mixed race presumably including Adams's Japanese children were then exiled to Jakarta Indonesia and who knows maybe we'll get an acclaimed limited series about them next so what do you think what about the real Shogun story surprised you the most let us know in the comments below and while you're at it check out some of these other videos from our weird history
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Streaming Series | FX's "Shogun" |
| Original Novel | "Shogun" by James Clavell, published in 1975 |
| Previous Adaptation | 1980 TV miniseries |
| Historical Basis | Real Japanese history, particularly the formation of the Tokugawa shogunate |
| Main Characters | European sailor and a powerful feudal lord, inspired by English navigator William Adams and Japanese feudal lord Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Historical Setting | Early 17th century Japan, at the end of the Sengoku period (Warring States period) |
| Sengoku Period | A century of political and social upheaval, with regional feudal lords expanding their power amid the decline of the Ashikaga shogunate |
| Great Unifiers | Leaders who ended the conflicts and centralized power, including Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Toyotomi Hideyoshi | Former samurai who rose to power, essentially Japan's de facto ruler, but never attained the title of shogun |
| Council of Five Elders | Appointed by Hideyoshi to rule until his son, Hideyori, was old enough |
| Tokugawa Ieyasu | Ieyasu recognized Adams' knowledge of ships and navigation and decided to keep him as an ally |
| William Adams' Journey | Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in Japan labeled Adams and his crew as pirates, recommending the execution |
| Encounter with Jesuits | Ieyasu recognized Adams' knowledge of ships and navigation and decided to keep him as an ally |
| Tokugawa Ieyasu's Decision | Died in 1620 from tropical disease, and split their belongings between his English and Japanese families |
| Adams' Role in Japan | Trained Ieyasu's army, served in battles, helped Ieyasu gain power, and later worked as a fixer, translator, and negotiator for European traders |
| Adams' Personal Life | Married a Japanese woman, had children, and was granted land and the name Miura Anjin |
| Trade and Influence | Facilitated trade for Dutch and English merchants, helped reduce Portuguese influence in Japan |
| Tokugawa Shogunate's Peace | Established a period of peace, cultural and artistic development, including ukiyo-e (floating world) art style |
| End of Adams' Life | Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Hidetada, became the second shogun and continued to consolidate power |
| Adams' Legacy | His role in Japan's history and the eventual exclusion of foreigners with the Sakoku Edict of 1635 |
| Tokugawa Ieyasu's Death | Died in 1616, posthumously deified as Tōshō Daigongen |
| Transition of Power | Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Hidetada, became the second shogun, and continued to consolidate power |
| Cultural Flourishing | Development of Kabuki and Bunraku theater, woodblock prints, and other arts during the Tokugawa shogunate |
| Future Prospects | Speculation on potential new series about the descendants of William Adams and other historical figures |
FAQs About FX's "Shogun" and Its Historical Context
1. What is FX's "Shogun" based on?
FX's "Shogun" is based on a 1975 novel by James Clavell. This novel also inspired a well-received 1980 TV miniseries.
2. Is "Shogun" rooted in real history?
Yes, both the book and the series are rooted in real Japanese history, specifically the formation of the Tokugawa Shogunate, although they are fictional accounts.
3. Who is the central character in "Shogun" inspired by?
The central character, a European sailor, is inspired by the real English navigator William Adams and his time as an adviser to the Japanese feudal lord Tokugawa Ieyasu.
4. What historical period does "Shogun" depict?
"Shogun" is set at the dawn of the 17th century, at the close of the Sengoku period (also known as the Warring States period), a century of political and social upheaval in Japan.
5. Who were the great unifiers of Japan?
The great unifiers were leaders who centralized power and ended the conflicts of the Sengoku period. One of them was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a former samurai who rose to power but never attained the formal title of Shogun.
6. How did Tokugawa Ieyasu rise to power?
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa Ieyasu, a powerful member of the council of five elders, consolidated power, ultimately winning the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which allowed him to establish control over Japan.
7. How did William Adams end up in Japan?
William Adams set sail for the East from Rotterdam in 1598 with a company of Dutch merchants. After a harrowing journey, Adams and a few survivors reached Japan in 1600.
8. How did Adams become important in Japan?
Adams' deep knowledge of ships and navigation impressed Tokugawa Ieyasu, who decided Adams would be more valuable as an ally than a prisoner. Adams trained Ieyasu's army and served as an adviser.
9. What was Adams' life like in Japan?
Adams was granted the Japanese name Miura Anjin, given land around Edo, and allowed to trade and run his own business. He married a Japanese woman and had two children with her, despite having a family in England.
10. What happened after Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun?
Tokugawa Ieyasu was named Shogun in 1603. He retired in 1605, allowing his son Tokugawa Hidetada to take over, while he continued to wield significant power until he died in 1616.
11. How did the Tokugawa Shogunate consolidate power?
The Tokugawa Shogunate centralized authority, redistributed land to loyalists, and eliminated rivals, including the Toyotomi clan in 1615, solidifying their control over Japan.
12. What impact did the Tokugawa Shogunate have on Japan?
The Tokugawa Shogunate brought relative peace, leading to cultural and artistic flourishing. The period saw the development of Ukiyo-e, Kabuki, and Bunraku theater, among other cultural advancements.
13. Did Adams ever return to England?
Adams was granted the right to return to England but chose to stay in Japan, where he continued to serve the Tokugawa clan and worked to establish trade between Japan and European powers.
14. How did William Adams die?
Adams died in 1620 in Hirado, Japan, from a tropical disease. He left his belongings to both his English and Japanese families.
15. What was the Sakoku Edict?
In 1635, the Sakoku Edict was announced by Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, aiming to eradicate foreign influence from Japan, particularly Christianity. This led to the exile of residents of mixed race, including Adams's Japanese children.