In Shōgun episode 5, a villager claims John Blackthorne and Fuji’s house is cursed by a Tatarigami, a being associated with Japanese mythology.

Shōgun episode 5 features the mention of a Tatarigami, a supernatural being from Japanese mythology. By the time of Shōgun episode 5’s ending, a series of tragedies befall the characters of the show. From a climactic earthquake that almost costs Toranaga his life to the upsetting fate of Blackthorne’s gardener Uejiro, “Broken to the Fist” is filled with suitably vital plot points concerning the overall series and Shōgun‘s cast of characters. Another of these plot points surrounds Yabushige, and his continued attempts to act both as Toranaga’s trusted Samurai and an ally to Ishido.

This series of unfortunate events leads the villagers of Ajiro to begin rumors that a Tatarigami is cursing the house of Blackthorne and Fuji. This coincides with the return of Buntaro, the husband of Mariko who was presumed dead in Shōgun episode 3. Buntaro’s return leads to revelations about Lady Mariko’s family in Shōgun episode 5, with the ensuing arguments, fights, and scuffles between the members of the Blackthorne household further supporting the claims of a Tatarigami cursing the building.

The Japanese Mythology Of Tatarigami Explained

The concept of Tatarigami aligns with the other gods, goddesses, and spirits of Japanese mythology.

As is the case with other countries across the globe, Japanese mythology includes a great deal of gods, goddesses, spirits, and their supposed supernatural abilities. Tatarigami are included in this mythology, said to be spirits of calamity. These spirits are supposedly capable of dealing death, destruction, and other kinds of havoc upon those who have wronged them. Be it war, fire, famine, or illness, the Tatarigami are said to be some of the most evil spirits in Japanese mythology – due to the horrors they can inflict on their enemies – that have long haunted the country and its citizens.

Why The Ajiro Villagers Think Tatarigami Are Cursing John Blackthorne’s House

Blackthorne’s unconventional ways cause the Japanese villagers to suspect dangerous spirits.

In the case of Shōgun, the villagers of Ajiro begin thinking Tatarigami are cursing the house of John Blackthorne. The reasons for this stem from the unconventional, distinctly un-Japanese ways of Blackthorne himself. These ways of life have caused the house of John Blackthorne to stand out from the others in Ajiro in everyday life. That said, Shōgun episode 5 highlighted how John’s cultural differences have caused other problems within his house. These problems only further provided the other villagers with evidence that Tatarigami are sewing chaos in the household, something that could continue in future Shōgun episodes.

Firstly, John Blackthorne’s pheasant in Shōgun episode 5 causes some issues that lead the Ajiro villagers to suspect Tatarigami. The pheasant’s inclusion in the episode is seemingly trivial at first, a simple gift from Toranaga to Blackthorne as thanks for the latter training the former’s men in naval warfare. However, a misunderstanding concerning language and honor between Blackthorne and the members of his household led to the death of Uejiro, John’s gardener.

Blackthorne hanging the pheasant to rot, thus maturing it enough to eat, was enough to cause the Ajiro villagers to suspect Tatarigami given the unconventional nature of preparing food this way. With the tragedy of Uejiro’s death following, it became even more likely to the villagers that the spirits of calamity were cursing Blackthorne’s house. Another thing that furthered their suspicions was the return of Buntaro and the troubles that brewed between Blackthorne, the Samurai, and Mariko.

Buntaro’s return caused him and Blackthorne to clash, with the two silently trying to outdrink each other. This caused a great deal of strife based on the revelations surrounding Mariko’s family, Buntaro’s abusive nature, and Blackthorne’s unwillingness to comply with Japanese codes of conduct and honor. Buntaro’s abuse towards Mariko resulted in arrows being shot through the gateposts of Blackthorne’s house, and a confrontation between the two men in the middle of Ajiro. All of these elements caused the villagers to suspect Tatarigami, as the various developments brought seemingly endless calamity upon the household.

The Tatarigami Powers Link To Shogun Episode 5’s Earthquake

Episode 5’s ending may give Ajiro’s villagers even more reason to believe the Tatarigami are involved.

In Shōgun episode 5, Japan is rocked by an earthquake. This all but destroys the town of Ajiro, almost taking Toranaga’s life. Interestingly, this earthquake could be tied to the powers of the Tatarigami. As alluded to, it is believed that Tatarigami can cause wildfires, famine, and plagues. Therefore, it stands to reason that earthquakes are a type of calamity the Tatarigami can cause. This could further support the idea that Tatarigami are cursing the village of Ajiro in Shōgun, leaving the villagers unaware that natural disasters and Blackthorne being a stranger in a foreign country are causing such discomfort.

New episodes of Shōgun release every Tuesday on FX and Hulu.