As the episodes of Shōgun go deeper into the relationship of Lady Mariko and John Blackthorne, we wonder: was Mariko in love with Buntaro, her husband? More importantly, did Mariko and Blackthorne's affair happen in history?
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Shōgun episode 4, so proceed with caution.
How Did Mariko Meet Her Husband? Was She in Love With Buntaro?
In both Shōgun TV series and James Clavell's book, we learn that Lady Mariko (played by Anna Sawai) had a difficult past. Despite her privileged upbringing, her father was accused of treason. As a result, the entire family was dishonored.
While she asked for permission to commit seppuku, she was ordered to marry war hero, Toda Buntaro (played by Shinnosuke Abe). This was her way of being saved from disgrace.
Even though she disliked Buntaro, she became a dutiful wife and birthed him a child, Ryûji.
After losing everything, Mariko sought the guidance of the Portuguese Jesuits, who taught her Portuguese and Latin. In turn, she became a dutiful Christian, which her husband often mocked.
While she was a dedicated mother, Mariko refused to sleep with her husband. This further hurt Buntaro's ego and led to him abusing her.
With these things, it's easy to no longer question if Mariko was in love with Buntaro. But with the arrival of John Blackthorne (played by Cosmo Jarvis), things would turn around for Mariko.
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Did Mariko Have an Affair with Blackthorne?
After the events of Shōgun episode 3, the fate of Buntaro is uncertain. Mariko's husband stayed in Osaka so that Lord Yoshii Toranaga (played by Hiroyuki Sanada) could escape.
While she is worried her husband could be dead, it does not stop Mariko from harboring feelings toward Blackthorne in episode 4.
In this episode, the two are enjoying a dip in a nearby spring, when they imagine possible scenarios together.
Later, as Blackthorne is about to sleep, a woman enters his room and they get busy.
But the next day, Mariko asks him about the consort she sent to his room. This shocks Blackthorne as he believes it was Mariko he spent the night with.
In the book, we learn that Blackthorne asked Toranaga to allow Buntaro to divorce Mariko so he could marry her. Unfortunately, Toranaga refused this and forbade the Englishman to ask him this question again.
When Mariko dies from a ninja attack, she leaves behind her assets to Blackthorne instead of her husband.
RELATED: Does Lady Mariko Know about Buntaro's Death in FX's Shogun?
How True Was Their Affair in Historical Events?
Since the series of events in Shōgun are loosely based on historical events and real people, some parts were added to the book and TV series.
Lady Mariko's character was based on Hosokawa Gracia. Meanwhile, Blackthorne was based on William Adams.
Although Lady Hosokawa's backstory is accurate in Shōgun, her affair with Adams was not. In fact, Lady Hosokawa died in 1600, which was the same year Adams landed in Japan.
The two also never met.
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