The sake scene in Shōgun episode 5 features John Blackthorne and the deadly samurai Buntaro butt heads to the point of shocking violence.

The confrontation between John Blackthorne and Toda Buntaro in Shōgun episode 5 provides some of the most intense moments between the two characters. After surprisingly surviving a near-death experience in Osaka by bravely fighting off Lord Toranaga’s attackers in Shōgun episode 3, the noble samurai Buntaro returned against all odds in Shōgun episode 5. Somehow, Buntaro, who is also Lady Mariko’s husband, reconnected with Lord Toranaga in Edo, or modern day Tokyo, and arrived in Lord Yabishige’s fishing village, Ajiro, as part of Toranaga’s new formidable army. This causes immediate complications for Mariko and Blackthorne’s secret budding romance.

In Shōgun episode 4, Mariko quietly arranges someone to “pillow” with Blackthorne but that person ends up being herself. At this point, Mariko is unaware that Buntaro is still alive, believing just like everyone else that he died valiantly for Lord Toranaga’s benefit. Once she discovers that he is alive, however, she appears more stunned and appalled at her own infidelity more than she is elated to see her husband again. While mostly inept to Japanese culture, Blackthorne can at least put together that Mariko would almost certainly be killed if their secret ever came to light but still decides to defend Mariko openly in various ways.

Blackthorne & Buntaro’s Sake Scene In Shogun Episode 5 Explained

Unable to back down from any challenge, Buntaro goes bowl for bowl with the provocative Blackthorne until they are both very drunk.

There is palpable tension between Blackthorne and Buntaro during an extended dinner scene in Shōgun episode 5 titled “Broken to the Fist”. Both Mariko and Blackthorne’s consort Usami Fuji are in attendance along with Buntaro, who refers to Blackthorne as a barbarian in Japanese despite his rank as Hatamoto. Blackthorne offers his guests a “taste from his home country” with rabbit stew, which the others politely refuse. Due to a language barrier, Markio is tasked with translating the comments that Blackthorne and Buntaro make about each other, which are mostly angled with subliminal aggression and mockery.

Blackthorne expresses that where he comes from, they know how to drink properly, pouring full bowls of sake and challenging Buntaro to a drink off. Unable to back down from any challenge, Buntaro goes bowl for bowl with the provocative Blackthorne until they are both very drunk. Blackthorne insists that Buntaro tell him a heroic war story but Buntaro views that as childish and improper. Mariko encourages Blackthorne to tell a war story of his own instead, but Blackthorne stubbornly refuses. This inspires Buntaro to rashly call for his bow and arrows to allow Blackthorne to see his precision and skill for himself.

Why Buntaro Nearly Shot Mariko With Arrows

Buntaro was not shooting at Mariko intentionally but was instead aiming at the right post outside in the garden to silence Blackthorne.

Buntaro was unenthused by Blackthorne’s insistence on hearing a war story, as he appeared to leave those tales in the past and not recall them in celebration over drinks. Bringing up that subject evidently disturbed Buntaro and brought him back to memories on the battlefield he would rather not relive. Buntaro also was not used to drinking so excessively and was more susceptible to losing his composure than he normally would be. The samurai likely believed that he would silence Blackthorne’s requests for a war story by demonstrating how skilled he was even while being intoxicated.

Buntaro was not shooting at Mariko but was instead aiming at the right post outside in the garden, which he hit with perfect accuracy with two straight arrows. In the same scene, Buntaro encourages Mariko to tell Blackthorne of his family’s tragic backstory and fallen house, revealing that she is only alive because Buntaro orders her to continue living in shame. Blackthorne somewhat foolishly defends Mariko openly, which could have caused suspicion of their affair, especially considering how little Buntaro thinks of Mariko after her father killed the former ruler of Japan, Lord Kuroda.

Why Buntaro Refused To Fight Blackthorne After Hurting Mariko

Buntaro clearly did not initially respect Blackthorne’s rank as Hatamoto and could not see past his prejudiced view of him as a so-called barbarian. The high levels of sake consumption only reaffirmed his true feelings about Blackthorne and caused him to act dishonorably in the Hatamoto’s home, something the loyal samurai would never have done under traditional circumstances. Buntaro falls to his knees and refuses to fight Blackthorne as a sign of respect to his status, not necessarily to him as a person. He is more ashamed of his dishonoring the harmony of the Hatamoto’s home than he is for assaulting Mariko, and now has witnessed Blackthorne’s passionate feelings for his wife in Shōgun.