Deciphering Lord Toranaga's Strategic Machinations in Shogun: Unveiling His True Intentions

Lord Toranaga's cunning strategy is becoming clearer in Shōgun episode 3, shedding light on his true intentions. Portrayed by Hiroyuki Sanada, Toranaga, inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu, takes center stage in FX's Shōgun. With a carefully calculated approach, he poses a growing threat to the other regents as he strategically plans each move. Initially held captive by Ishido in the first two episodes, Toranaga has now escaped Osaka at the conclusion of episode 3, making his way to Edo.

Lord Toranaga Fled Osaka With The Help Of Lady Kiri

Between Lady Kiri’s travel fakeout and the emergency deal cut with the Portuguese merchants, Toranaga’s plan to leave Osaka and go to Edo was very risky. Even with the help of Yabushige, whose allegiances are very malleable, Toranaga and his men were almost caught twice and had to engage in battle to reach the shore. Still, by the end of Shōgun episode 3, the Lord of Kanto was safely on his way to Edo and communicated his resignation from the Council of Regents.

Lady kiri leaving her room in Shogun episode 3 - Lord Toranaga Fled Osaka With The Help Of Lady Kiri

Lord Toranaga, the Shōgun's right-hand man, had been staying in Osaka for a while, although he was not technically considered a prisoner. Concerns were raised by Ishido and the Council of Regents about Toranaga's growing influence after the Taikō's passing. Toranaga was expanding his network of allies and forming powerful alliances through strategic marriages. Despite Yoshii's initial refusal to take sole control, Ishido feared that Toranaga would eventually make a move against the other Regents.

Tokugawa Ieyasu started his Shogunate in Edo in 1603, kicking off Japan's Edo era. He was the first shōgun and solidified his power after the Battle of Sekigahara, where he faced Ishida Mitsunari's supporters.

When Ishido revealed the council's intention to impeach Yoshii, the Lord of Kanto was imprisoned in Osaka castle. Concerned for his safety after an assassination attempt on John Blackthorne, Toranaga realized he had too many enemies, including Ishido, Christian lords, and Portuguese merchants. With Blackthorne's arrival, Toranaga decided to secretly escape from Osaka. To make his getaway, he arranged for his wife and some of his troops to travel from Osaka to Ajiro in a cunning manner.

Before leaving the castle, Toranaga decided to switch places with Lady Kiri. This risky move allowed the Lord of Kanto to be smuggled out without any issues. Lady Kiri and other family members were not stopped from leaving Osaka because they had informed Ishido beforehand. Despite Ishido and his men checking the travelers for any irregularities, they did not notice the switch as it was done discreetly when they were not paying attention.

Why Lord Toranaga Resigned From The Council Of Regents

Custom image of Lord Toranaga and the other regents in Shogun - Why Lord Toranaga Resigned From The Council Of Regents

Lord Toranaga stepped down from the Council of Regents to counter Ishido's plan to impeach him. If Ishido proceeds with the impeachment despite the resignation, the Council will be unable to make any decisions as all five members must agree. However, if Ishido accepts the resignation to eliminate Yoshii's influence, the impeachment will be off the table. Toranaga's clever move bought him some time.

Lord Toranaga's Proposed Deal With The Portuguese Explained

Of course, this was only possible because Toranaga is no longer in Osaka. Yoshii made sure that his resignation would only be brought to the Council of Regents after he and his regiment were as far away from Ishido’s domains as possible, allowing the plan to continue. What Ishido and the Christian lord will do now that Toranaga has made such a critical move remains to be seen. Any other moves from either side could mean war, and it seems like it will not take long before battles begin to be waged in Shōgun.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga in Shogun in front of ships arriving in Japan - Lord Toranaga's Proposed Deal With The Portuguese Explained

Custom image by Sam MacLennan

In Shōgun episode 2, Lord Toranaga refused to allow Portugal’s Black Ship to leave Japan. The Black Ship was the term used by the Japanese for the Portuguese commercial ships that conducted trade in the region. Toranaga made this decision after learning from Blackthorne that there was a Portuguese base in Macau where Ronin were employed as middlemen in the commerce between Japan and China.

Despite the tense relationship between Toranaga and the Portuguese, they managed to strike a deal by the end of Shōgun episode 3 that benefited both parties. This unexpected agreement paved the way for further developments in the story.

Considering that Toranaga is based on the real historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu, portrayed by Hiroyuki Sanada, viewers can expect his character to take a more decisive action as the series progresses. This hint suggests that there will be significant developments in the upcoming episodes of Shōgun.

Lord Toranaga is having John train his regiment because he sees the Anjin as a valuable asset to strengthen his forces.

Custom image of Lord Toranaga and John Blackthorne in Shogun episode 3 - Why Lord Toranaga Is Having John Train His Regiment

Custom image by Marcelo Leite.

John Blackthorne’s actions in Shōgun episode 3 not only saved his life but also impressed Toranaga. Toranaga now sees that the Anjin has valuable military knowledge that can be useful in future battles. The English pilot, formerly known as "the barbarian," has been given the title of "Hatamoto." This means that John is now a vassal of Toranaga and holds a position of honor within his inner circle.

Toranaga has asked John to teach his soldiers his maritime strategies and techniques, which are unfamiliar to the Japanese. With three Christian lords potentially aligning with Portugal, Toranaga needs to be prepared for various threats. John's navigation experience can give Toranaga an advantage over Ishido. The Anjin is expected to share his knowledge, especially in sea battles, with the samurai. John is even teaching Yoshii how to dive.

What Is Lord Toranaga's Goal In Shōgun?

Toranaga holding his sword during a battle in Shogun episode 3 - What Is Lord Toranaga's Goal In Shōgun?

When the Taikō offered Yoshii Toranaga the role of sole regent, he declined. He believed that being the only regent would make him an easy target for other lords and put the heir's life in danger. Despite this, it is evident that Toranaga does have ambitions to rule, but he is cautious about achieving this goal without unnecessary bloodshed. Based on the real historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu, it is likely that Hiroyuki Sanada's character in Shōgun will soon make a more definitive move.

Shōgun releases new episodes Tuesdays on FX and Hulu.

Editor's P/S:

This article delves into the cunning strategy of Lord Toranaga in the third episode of Shōgun, shedding light on his true intentions. It provides a comprehensive analysis of his escape from Osaka with the help of Lady Kiri, his resignation from the Council of Regents, and his proposed deal with the Portuguese. The article also explores the historical context behind Toranaga's character, based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, and suggests that viewers can expect more decisive actions from him as the series progresses.

Overall, the article offers a detailed and well-researched account of Lord Toranaga's strategic maneuvers and the potential implications for the future of the series. It effectively conveys the character's ambition and cunning, leaving readers intrigued about the upcoming episodes and the ultimate outcome of Toranaga's quest for power.