One particular scene in Shogun episode 4 caught the fans' attention: why is John Blackthorne eating Natto weird in front of Lady Mariko? It was a simple dinner scene, but fans can't quite wrap their head around it. Is it supposed to be bad for the white samurai? Let's find out.
Why is John Blackthorne Eating Natto Weird to Lady Mariko?
As John Blackthorne dined with Lady Mariko and Lady Fuji in Shogun episode 4 titled The Eightfold Fence, the white samurai couldn't help but notice how different his dinner is from Mariko's.
He sees Lady Mariko mixing a couple of beans in her bowl, which urges his curiosity further to try it. Even though she warned him that this may not be his cup of tea, he insists on tasting it.
Because of this scene, fans start thinking about why Lady Mariko and Lady Fuji are weirded out at Blackthorne's request.
Fans took this discussion to Reddit, and while some seem to believe that eating Natto is "weird" for males, it is not about the gender.
A Japanese Natto, which is made of traditional fermented soybean seeds, is not dependent on gender.
It was only coincidental that Blackthorne is a male samurai surrounded by women in the scene. It's just that consuming Natto is an acquired taste, especially for a foreigner like Blackthorne.
As Lady Mariko described it, "This may not be for you." Here's why a Japanese Natto is usually an "acquired taste" for foreigners.
READ MORE: Shogun: Why Does Blackthorne Have a Consort in Episode 4? Lady Fuji's Role Explored
What is a Japanese Natto, Exactly?
Natto is considered a divisive food that not many Japanese are fond of eating. Considering that Blackthorne is an Englishman, he hasn't had a taste similar to the Natto.
What makes the Natto worthy of eating is the fact that it offers nutrition and various health benefits, from stronger bones to a healthier immune system of the body.
However, the texture is quite sticky and its strong scent may require a certain way of chewing and consuming it entirely to those who didn't grow accustomed to the dish.
Despite this, Blackthorne tried to enjoy the foreign food, which earned the weird and amused looks of Lady Mariko and Lady Fuji in the episode.
At the same time, this is how Blackthorne slowly opened himself up to the traditions and culture of Japan, which made him earn Lady Fuji's trust to be his consort and his full support, as well.
Meanwhile, Shōgun episode 5 titled Broken to the Fist premieres on March 19 on Hulu.
READ NEXT: Shogun: What Were Blackthorne's Cannons Used For in the Series?
Follow our official Facebook page for more news coverage and other explainer articles! Check out more right here on Epicstream.