John Blackthorne is honored by Lord Toranaga who gives him the title of Hatamoto in Shōgun, but there could be hidden implications behind the move.

John Blackthorne was given the honorary title of Hatamoto by Lord Toranaga in Shōgun, which is put on full display in episode 4 “The Eightfold Fence”. Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) has used his clever wit and foreign knowledge to warm up to the formidable Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). At the end of Shōgun episode 3, Blackthorne is named Hatamato, which has major implications for his allegiance to Lord Toranaga’s master plan to become the new shogun of feudal Japan. While Toranaga travels to Edo, or modern-day Japan, on business matters, he leaves Blackthorne in Yabushige’s fishing village Ajiro to prepare for war.

Despite language and culture barriers, Blackthorne is able to show off his highly accurate cannons to Yabushige and Toshii Nagakado with the help of Lady Mariko’s translations. Blackthorne is assigned by Toaranaga to teach Yabushige’s army his “Western battle tactics”, which are revealed to be primarily focused on combat at sea. The new Hatamoto does come through, however, by showcasing the most effective cannons Yabushige and his men have ever seen. While Blackthorne’s new title clearly comes with designated respect and perks, Marko and others are fully aware that he is a very unorthodox selection to be given the rank of Hatamoto.

John Blackthorne’s Responsibilities As Hatamoto In Shogun Explained

His primary instructions from Lord Toranaga are to train Yabushige’s men.

The title of Hatamoto in Shōgun comes with its designated luxuries and honors as a show of respect for the title. It is evident that Blackthorne’s title is not initially respected by Yabushige’s men until it is reinforced by his consort, Usami Fuji, when he refuses to hand over his guns. Blackthorne’s role as Hatamoto is perceived to be discredited because of his Western “barbaric” ethnicity. His primary instructions from Lord Toranaga are to train Yabushige’s men, which is how he eventually starts to demonstrate his value as their tactical leader. Even Yabushige is impressed after witnessing Blackthorne’s cannons.

As is customary, the new Hatamoto is given a luxurious house and a consort to go along with his esteemed rank. This bewilders Blackthorne, who has only days prior been taken prisoner. Blackthorne hadn’t asked for such high treatment by Toranaga and resists it in many ways, particularly with Usami Fuji being his consort. He claims he has no need for a consort and is only focuses on getting back his ship and his men. As Mariko points out in Shōgun episode 4, Blackthrone is now in service to Lord Toranaga, meaning he cannot access his ship or his crew like he had hoped to.

What Usami Fuji’s Role As John Blackthorne’s Consort Mean

As Blackthorne’s consort, she is expected to serve him in various ways which is how she is able to serve her house in a greater sense.

Giving Blackthorne the esteemed title of Hatamoto appears to be a wise way for Toranaga to keep the Englishman in check until he returns from Edo. Usami Fuji becomes his consort as a way to serve Lord Toranaga despite her initial revulsion at having to do so. As Blackthorne’s consort, she is expected to serve him in various ways which is how she is able to serve her house in a greater sense. The consort is a symbol of high authority, status, and wealth, and she is obligated to fulfill her role as consort to the Hatamoto based on tradition.

Blackthorne expresses no interest in wanting a consort and sees through Toranaga’s trap of making him comfortable and tame by giving him the esteemed rank of Hatamoto. It is effectively Toranaga’s nicest way of telling Blackthorne that he’s not going anywhere, and he is now an extension of his greater authority and willpower. Blackthorne’s specialized military knowledge is effectively how he serves Toranaga in exchange for his title of Hatamoto. Fuji’s obligation to the Hatamoto is to serve him to the best of her ability, which is why she begins to come around and realize her bigger role in Toranaga’s vision.

Why Usami Fuji Gave Blackthorne Her Family Swords

As part of her role as Blackthorne’s consort, she honors him by offering her father’s samurai swords, noting that it’s improper for a Hatamoto not to have his own swords. Usami Fuji sees this gift as an obligation since it is her sworn duty to serve Lord Toranaga and by extension, Blackthorne. While the gift seems incredibly forward and surprising to Blackthorne, Usami Fuji’s position as his consort essentially necessitates that she gives him her father’s swords in order for her to honorably fulfill her designation. As Blackthorne further integrates into Toranaga’s feudal hierarchy, more details about his true purpose in Shōgun will be revealed.