Shogun episode 6 “Ladies of the Willow World” allows Lady Mariko and John Blackthorne to share an intimate moment through the attuned Lady Kiku.
One of the most intriguing moments of Shōgun episode 6 is Mariko and Blackthorne’s experience with Kiku at Willow World. Throughout the first half of the highly acclaimed historical epic series, the romantic tension between Blackthorne and Mariko has greatly intensified but must be kept hidden with the sudden return of Mariko’s husband, the samurai Buntaro. Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who is greatly concerned about an impending war on Osaka he refers to as Crimson Sky, sensed that an under-the-surface romantic entanglement was forming between Mariko and Blackthorne and instructed Mariko to accompany Hatamoto Blackthorne to a brothel.
Shōgun episode 6 “Ladies of the Willow World” reveals that the Mother of the Heir, Ochiba-no-kata’s, backstory is intertwined with Lady Mariko’s tragic family past, as the two were once daughters of esteemed lords and close childhood friends. Shōgun episode 6 also sees Toranaga show Blackthorne another major display of honor by granting him a fief in Kanagawa that would provide 600 koku. In addition, he names him the chief admiral of his cannon regiment, an honor that Blackthorne did not necessarily want. Toranaga continues to honor Blackthorne in various ways because he needs him to win the impending war.
Lady Kiku Is A Courtesan & Omi’s Girlfriend In Shogun
Omi is the nephew of Yabushige
Seeing Kiku with the “barbaric” Anjin clearly hurts Omi who has evidently not come to peace with his girlfriend’s line of work.
Before the events of Shōgun episode 6, Lady Kiku was seen sparingly and throughout the series primarily as the alluring girlfriend of Yabushige’s nephew, Omi. Omi understands the business of Lady Kiku’s profession but does not appear thrilled about her job as a courtesan. Kiku appears to have deep feelings for Omi that expand beyond physical intimacy alone. After Blackthorne leaves Willow World the following morning with Mariko, Omi watches Kiku give him a rather public send-off in the center of the village. Seeing Kiku with the “barbaric” Anjin clearly hurts Omi who has evidently not come to peace with his girlfriend’s line of work.
Knowing the cunning ways of Toranaga, it’s plausible that he knew exactly what he was doing by sending Blackthorne to Willow World and instructing Mariko to hire their finest courtesan. Toranaga is likely well aware that Kiku is romantically involved with Omi and could have set up the ordeal in order to fuel a fire within Omi as they approach a challenging battle against Ishido’s forces. Toranaga had already stripped Yabishige of some of his military authority and appointed Blackthorne to a more significant role in his army. Toranaga sending Blackthorne to Kiku specifically could infuriate and inspire Omi to fight valiantly in the upcoming Siege of Osaka.
Why Lady Kiku Was Assigned To John Blackthorne At The Willow World Brothel
Toranaga instructs Mariko to hire the best courtesan
Knowing how inappropriate it would be to refuse Toranaga, Blackthorne has no choice but to accept the invitation to Willow World.
Blackthorne asks Toranaga for his ship and crew back instead but is rejected, leading to Toranaga’s decision to have Blackthrone “settle his mind” at a brothel. Toranaga continues to offer Blackthorne high honors, comforts, and luxuries as a reward for saving his life on two separate occasions. They also are thoughtful ways of keeping Blackthorne’s loyalties to him since he will need his help in the upcoming Siege of Osaka. Through this strategy, Blackthorne is again treated like royalty for reasons he can’t quite understand. Knowing how inappropriate it would be to refuse Toranaga, Blackthorne has no choice but to accept the invitation to Willow World.
Kiku demonstrates the craftsmanship of her profession in the way that she serves Blackthorne sake when they first arrive. Similar to the sake scene in Shōgun episode 5, Blackthorne guzzles it down without care for the traditional ways of consuming alcohol in feudal Japan. Nevertheless, Kiku establishes through Mariko’s translation that she is here to serve Blackthorne entirely and that their experience can be just as much of a spiritual encounter as it is a sensual one. Kiku explains that Willow World is not like many other brothels for that reason and emphasizes the desire for people to escape their lives, pasts, and troubles there.
How Kiku Revealed Lady Mariko’s True Feelings For John Blackthorne
Kiku essentially spoke through and for Mariko to Blackthorne
The smart cinematography in the Shōgun scene emphasizes Blackthorne’s longing for Mariko.
In the Shōgun scene where Kiku sits behind Mariko, it feels like Mariko is the one talking to Blackthorne even though she is only performing her duties as a translator. Earlier in Shōgun episode 5, Mariko tells Blackthorne that the only words they will share moving forward will be from another person’s lips. Kiku, who is naturally spiritual and sensitive to underlying feelings, likely picked up on the vibe between Mariko and Blackthorne and allows her words to be used to serve Blackthorne what he really wants, which is Mariko. The smart cinematography in the Shōgun scene emphasizes Blackthorne’s longing for Mariko.
