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Shogun
The institution of the Shogunate in Japan dates back to the 12th century when Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192‚ marking the beginning of military rule in Japan. The Shogun‚ or supreme military commander‚ held de facto power over the country while the Emperor remained a figurehead. Over centuries‚ various Shogunates rose and fell‚ including the Ashikaga and Tokugawa Shogunates‚ each leaving a significant mark on Japanese history and culture until the Meiji Restoration in 1868‚ which marked the end of the Shogunate system and the restoration of imperial rule.
Shogun (Season 1)
Set in feudal Japan during the 17th century‚ the story follows an English navigator‚ John Blackthorne‚ who becomes embroiled in the complex political intrigues of the time. As Blackthorne navigates the treacherous landscape of samurai warfare and cultural clashes‚ he must adapt to the rigid hierarchy of Japanese society while also striving to maintain his own identity and loyalty.
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Shogun E1 &; E2
Based on the 1975 novel of the same name‚ Shogun takes historical drama to the next level. Its attention to detail is of the same scope as programs like that of Yellowstone but on a scale to rival blockbuster films. However‚ its aesthetic realism is only the doorway that lets audiences in. Its mesmerizing performances and captivating tale of betrayal‚ Japanese feudal infighting‚ and global-scale treachery keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Unlike most made-for-TV epics‚ not a single performer stands out as subpar or out of place. As a matter of fact‚ two episodes into its reported ten-episode run‚ only one minor detail seems out of place: the lead actor’s blue contact lenses. Cosmo Jarvis has dark brown eyes in real life‚ and the lenses currently used are beyond distractingly fake looking. There are scenes in which the character almost looks blinded by cataracts. That said‚ his performance is so excellent and his presence so magnetic that they are almost forgivable.
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WOKE ELEMENTS
There are some instances in which women are given more leeway than seems natural for a drama set in 1600 Japan. However‚ I’m not a historian‚ so I could be wrong. After all‚ as girls‚ Japanese women were taught martial arts and expected to protect their homes. Also‚ the incredibly limited deference granted to one or two of these characters is logically explained and occurs very organically within the context of the story… for the most part.
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