Shogun episode 6 hints at the possibility of Lady Mariko and Buntaro divorcing. Keep reading for an explanation of Lord Toranaga and Buntaro's discussion, and what it means for the future of the marriage.
Warning: Below, we discuss spoilers from Shogun episode 6 and details from James Clavell's novel of the same name that may or may not be adapted.
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Exploring Lord Toranaga and Buntaro's Conversation About Mariko
In Shogun episode 6, Buntaro apologizes to Lord Toranaga for his violent behavior against his wife and Blackthorne.
He explains that, since Mariko's marriage to him saved her from dying alongside her family, he had expected her to be grateful, rather than resent him for not allowing her to die.
For years, Mariko has been a dutiful but emotionally distant wife, but Buntaro has noticed that she opened up to Blackthorne quickly.
Toranaga mentions that Buntaro can get a divorce, but Buntaro replies that it is not that easy and that they have been married for many years, so Toranaga suggests a one-week break to think it through.
The warlord himself hasn't missed the awkwardness between Mariko and Blackthorne, but could he ever allow them to be together?
Will Mariko and Buntaro Part Ways? Here's What We Think
While divorce might seem like the ideal solution for Mariko and Buntaro's loveless marriage, we'll have to wait for the next episode to find out if Buntaro will be willing to proceed.
He and Mariko have a son together, which makes things even more complicated.
Moreover, we've already seen that Mariko hardly considers her personal happiness in the choices she makes.
Her dutiful demeanor could mean that she wouldn't readily accept a divorce even if she dislikes Buntaro.
In the Edo period, it was relatively easy for a man to divorce his wife, but a woman could only end a marriage by fleeing to a convent.
Even a man, however, required the consent of his lord, but Toranaga could still recede it, or Buntaro could change his mind.
In James Clavell's Shogun novel, Buntaro is also violent and abusive towards Mariko. As is the case with the series, Blackthorne's novel counterpart is disgusted by Buntaro's actions.
As he and Mariko grow closer throughout the novel, Blackthorne asks Toranaga to let her get a divorce and marry him.
In the novel, Toranaga declines and forbids Blackthorne from asking again.
The latest episode of the TV adaptation has Toranaga recommend a divorce to Buntaro, so it's too early to tell if he would be more amenable to such an offer in this version.
However, it is possible that, even if he doesn't mind Buntaro divorcing Mariko, he might still be against a match between her and the newly-appointed hatamoto.
Future episodes will hopefully confirm if a divorce is in the cards for Mariko and Buntaro.
What do you think the future holds for Mariko and Blackthorne's relationship? Let us know in the comments!