Toranaga sends Blakcthorne and Mariko to Willow World in Shōgun episode 6, offering them both a brief moment to escape the restrictions of reality.
The Willow World in Shōgun offers a place of privacy and intimacy for John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko. 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. Shōgun episode 5’s sake scene offered an intriguing dynamic between Blackthorne and Buntaro while Mariko was forced to translate between them. After Buntaro dishonors Hatamoto Blackthorne’s home by assaulting Mariko, he must reluctantly display his embarrassment and sorrow by begging for Blackthorne’s forgiveness.
Shōgun episode 6 is titled “Ladies of the Willow World” and takes place in a mysterious private sanctuary that doubles as a brothel. Upon arrival, Blackthorne is surprised by the formality of it all, laughing about how different this type of thing was back in his homeland of England. Mariko attends as his translator although neither Blackthorne nor Mariko wish to actually be there considering their hidden romantic feelings for each other. There is a moment during the Willow World scene in Shōgun episode 6 in which Kiku appears to be speaking through Mariko, demonstrating the spiritual aspects of the experience in addition to the hedonistic elements.
Why John Blackthorne & Lady Mariko Were Sent To Willow World In Shogun Episode 6
Toranaga sensed that a romantic entanglement was forming between Mariko and Blackthorne and sent them both to Willow World as a result.
For John’s heroic actions during an earthquake in Shōgun episode 5, marking the second time in the series that the Anjin saved Toranaga’s life, he was offered a fief in Kanagawa that would provide 600 koku. He was also given another esteemed role as chief admiral of Toranaga’s cannon regiment, an honor that Blackthorne didn’t necessarily want. Confused by the continued generosity of Toranaga, he went to speak to him to discover why he was receiving so many honorable titles and rewards. Blackthorne expressed that he would much rather have his ship and crew back as a form of repayment.
Blackthorne proposed to Toranaga as an alternative to leading his cannon regiment that he could block trade controlled by Catholic regents and Portuguese as a way to serve Toranaga’s interests. Toranaga rejected his proposal but instructed Mariko to set up an appointment at a brothel such as Willow World with Kiku, the most desired and elegantly trained courtesan, to “settle the Anjin’s mind.” He instructs Mariko to attend as well as a translator in case Blackthorne talks while he “pillows”. Toranaga sensed that a romantic entanglement was forming between Mariko and Blackthorne and sent them both to Willow World as a result.
Kiku Explained How Willow World Was More Than Just A Brothel
Kiku eloquently shares that people who come to Willow World carry something inside they wish to escape from.
Mariko hand-selects Willow World as the brothel that she and Blackthorne will attend. She negotiates to have Kiku available that evening for Blackthorne, although she will be forced to translate between them. Kiku eloquently shares that people who come to Willow World carry something inside they wish to escape from. She elaborates that the people she meets in Willow World want a different life or circumstance that they cannot attain, which is greatly applicable to both Blackthorne and Mariko, who has a spiritual experience as she translates. Kiku demonstrates that Willow World is much more than a brothel but a place to immerse oneself in escapist fantasy.
Toranaga’s cunning ways make it unclear why he instructed Mariko to go to the brothel with Blackthorne. He appears to be acting through two separate hearts, one that is interested in seeing Mariko happy and the other that is determined to maintain order and honor among his clan. Toranaga had just ordered Buntaro to stay away from Mariko for a week, making it possible for Mariko and Blackthorne to have more private time together. However, ordering Mariko to attend the brothel sends a message that she must remember her role as his translator and nothing more.
How Blackthorne’s Willow World Experience Affects His Relationship With Lady Mariko
While Willow World was a “reward” for Blackthorne, it was truly more of a test of Mariko’s ability to uphold her duty in Shōgun .
Blackthorne and Mariko speak intimately through Kiku’s guidance but are essentially forbidden to engage with each other any further. While it may have appeared initially that Toranaga was setting up a situation for Blackthorne and Mariko to become physically intimate, Mariko knows better than to take such a big risk despite Willow World being described as an incredibly private place. Mariko turns down Kiku’s offer to join her and Blackthorne in a private room, which means she isn’t really needed there at all. While Willow World was a “reward” for Blackthorne, it was truly more of a test of Mariko’s ability to uphold her duty in Shōgun.
