This is in contrast to the 1980 screen adaptation’s more muted response in Japan.
This is somewhat unsurprising, given that the show was adapted fromJames Clavell’s beloved novel.
Here are the best quotes from the series, ranked.
Image via Federico Napoli
This article contains spoilers for the episodes discussed.
10"Fear is her enemy."
Mariko suggests that Ochiba could be won over, arguing that Toranaga is not her real enemy.
Rather, fear itself is.
Her death is beyond what the Lady can stomach.
9"If you look and see nothing, you must simply look harder."
Image via FX
8"You will know what it is to be denied."
7"You’d walk into a sword just to prove the blade is sharp?"
The line is lyrical, sounding almost like a proverb.
Image via FX Networks
Jarvis also delivers it well; his horror at Mariko’s proposed course of action is plain to see.
He loves her and will be devastated if any harm comes to her.
Many other characters wrestle with their duty; Mariko accepts hers with calm.
Image via FX Networks
6"Why tell a dead man the future?"
This is Toranaga at his most metal.
The man is on another level, capable of doing whatever is necessary to advance his objectives.
Image via FX Networks
A flashback earlier in the season shows how this part of his personality was forged in childhood.
Toranaga was a ‘boy warlord’, leading armies and killing foes from a young age.
It means he’ll either be a great shogun or a harsh despot.
Image via FX Networks
5"Once loyalty begins, it does not have an end.
Otherwise, it would not be loyalty."
ButMariko follows Toranaga’s orders even into death, proving that this quote is not mere posturing.
Image via FX Networks
Her loyalty really knows no limitations.
Indeed, Mariko embodies the ideals that her culture expects.
Perhaps this was a result of her father’s experiences.
Image via FX Networks
Mariko’s dad was a turncoat general believed to have assassinated one of his supposed allies.
This brought shame to Mariko’s house.
Mariko seems dedicated to proving that she is not like that.
Image via FX Networks
4"I would sooner live a thousand years than die with you like this."
However, in this episode, Buntaro’s position changes.
During a twisted tea ceremony, Buntaro proposes that they take their own lives to protest Toranaga’s surrender.
Image via FX Networks
Mariko defies him, insisting that she does not want to end her life on his terms.
The scene is intriguing, because of the complete inversion of both characters' earlier positions.
This gave her the boldness to stand up to her husband, no longer fearing his response.
The line shows that, in her own way, Mariko is just as staunch and strong as Toranaga.
2"If you seek individual freedom, you’ll never be free from yourself."
The Englishman claims that she is trapped by tradition and should pursue her own freedom for a change.
In other words,both characters are speaking for their cultures in this scene.
Blackthorne represents a focus on individualism, while Mariko represents duty and obligation.
1"I dont control the wind.
I just study it."
- Toranaga
This is yet another beautiful and hardcore line spoken by Toranaga duringhis clifftop conversation with Yabushige.
The series places an emphasis on poetry, and the characters reflect it in their speech.
They use metaphors and allusions to express themselves, rather than speaking directly.
In other words, he’s attributing almost godlike powers to Toranaga.
