REVIEW: ‘Shōgun’ Episode 6 — “Ladies of the Willow World”

Things are heating up now that Lady Ochiba is back in Osaka. Shōgun Episode 6, “Ladies of the Willow World,” pushed the battle between the Regents and Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) even closer. Toranaga has to navigate both his enemies and his allies if he wants to win this war.

Shōgun Episode 6 takes viewers back in time to explain more of Lady Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) backstory. Mariko is one of the more interesting characters in the series, so it is helpful to learn more about her history. Her father committed treason and by all rights, she should be dead. Her marriage to Buntaro was a marriage of convenience and one that crucially allowed her to live.

So it makes sense that Mariko and Buntaro don’t have the healthiest marriage. Buntaro even tells Toranaga that he thinks Mariko should be grateful to him. Instead, she is cold and distant. But with the Anjin, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), she is different. She opens up to Blackthorne which is the root of the conflict between Buntaro and Blackthorne in Episode 5.

That conflict has several consequences though. Toranaga orders Buntaro to spend seven days in isolation from Mariko. Mariko is then ordered to take Blackthorne to a brothel and to sit in on his “pillowing” as the series calls it. He says it is in case Blackthorne opens up more during that time, but in reality, it seems like Toranaga knows there is something between the two of them.

This situation is extremely uncomfortable for both of them. Mariko clearly has deep feelings for Blackthorne. Blackthorne is also vocally very respectful of women, as he has shown repeatedly. He is not going to be comfortable spending the night with a courtesan. The way this all plays out in Shōgun Episode 6 is really fascinating. It shows how the characters are continuing to grow and stay true to themselves all within the confines of what society expects of them.

The courtesan Kiku gets brought back into play in an important way. She has been servicing Lord Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) and his nephew but now meets Blackthorne. Kiku’s role puts her in close proximity to men of power. She is in an interesting position because she has surely learned a lot about these men. She learns, for example, about the relationship between Blackthorne and Mariko even if she might not have the whole picture.

The other major female character Shōgun Episode 6 takes a look at is Lady Ochiba. Ochiba is back in Osaka and has convinced Lord Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira) to make a play against the other regents. The nighttime shots of a burning Osaka make the fear palpable. Ochiba is not here for petty games, she is here to eliminate any threat to her son, the heir. She is crafty and cunning and has the men around her in the palm of her hands.

Ochiba takes the other regents and their allies prisoner because she knows she can’t trust them. She also somehow convinces Ishido to make an actor the fifth regent so they can vote to impeach Toranaga. It seems almost effortless for her. Whether it is fear, respect, or a bit of both, Ochiba holds all the cards. But she has also made herself some serious enemies. She is going to be able to use her puppets to secure her son’s future, but if she isn’t careful there is going to be some plotting behind the scenes.

The way all three of these women are highlighted is so fascinating because they are all dramatically different from one another. Mariko is dutiful and loyal, but not to a fault. She speaks up when she feels the need to and struggles with the expectation that she should stay quiet. Kiku is working in the background for a yet-to-be-seen purpose but she shows the grayness of the world of Shōgun. So many characters are out for their own personal gain and it can be hard to label purely good versus bad. And then there is Ochiba who is mighty and conniving. She will stop at nothing to protect her son and secure his rule.

Women are powerful in Shōgun Episode 6 and sit in important positions as the conflict unfolds. They are all going to play a major part in the war, so it is necessary to see them shine in their own way. Culturally they are expected to sit behind and support the men, but they don’t settle for that.

Toranaga still has a role to play in Shōgun Episode 6. He is plotting what he calls “Crimson Sky,” a plan to unite with new allies against Ishido and the other regents. It is clear by the way Crimson Sky is talked about that this is going to be brutal and bloody. Toranaga only really has two options; wipe out the other regents and become Shogun or die trying. He faces a tough battle if he wants to succeed, but he definitely is not going to go quietly.

Shōgun Episode 6 shines a light on the women of Shōgun by explaining their motivations and history. They have been through so much just like the men in the series and are going to play an important role in the final battles to come. It is only going to get bloodier and nastier from here, so buckle in.

Shōgun Episode 6 is available now on FX and Hulu. with new episodes released weekly.