Shōgun episode 9 demonstrated how far Mariko was willing to go to restore the honor of her original family name through Toranaga’s cunning strategy.

One specific detail in Shōgun episode 9 “Crimson Sky” reaffirms just how tragic Lady Mariko’s family backstory is. The penultimate episode of Shōgun featured a shocking Mariko twist that has set the stage for what should be an exceptional season finale. Despite Toranaga not appearing at all in Shōgun episode 9, his presence was surely felt through Mariko’s actions as she challenged Lord Ishido’s authority and reunited with her old friend Ochiba-no-kata in Osaka. The Shōgun finale will premiere on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Lady Mariko’s tragic family backstory had been revealed through flashbacks in previous episodes of Shōgun. Shōgun episode 9 started with an extended scene of Mariko’s initial reaction to her father’s betrayal of Ochiba’s father that changed her life forever. Mariko is shown accepting Christianity through Father Martin many years ago, which would have made her death by seppuku even more tragic. Ultimately, Mariko declares that she must die because she cannot fulfill Toranaga’s orders to promptly return to Edo, which inspires a heartbreaking conversation with her son, Toda Ryûji.

Lady Mariko’s Son Is The Only Person Who Doesn’t Bow Before Her Seppuku Scene In Shogun

He warned Mariko that she would lose him as a son if she went through with her plan

Toda Ryûji tells Mariko that if she attempts to leave Osaka against Ishido’s command and effectively disgrace herself, then she will no longer have him as a son.

Following Mariko’s announcement that she would commit seppuku at sunset after failing to leave Osaka as instructed by Toranaga, her son Toda Ryûji meets to speak with her. He announces that he is satisfied with his life in Osaka and does not share the same allegiance to Toranaga that his mother does. Toda Ryûji tells Mariko that if she attempts to leave Osaka against Ishido’s command and effectively disgrace herself, then she will no longer have him as a son.

Even after Ochiba sharply reminds Mariko of her obligations to her young son, Mariko sticks to her word and chooses to commit seppuku after a tense confrontation at the gates of Osaka leads to bloodshed and conflict. Blackthorne steps up to be Mariko’s second during her seppuku to ensure that she will not face damnation by committing immortal sin through her Christian religion. As the doors close before her seppuku ritual, the audience bows as a show of respect to Mariko, all except Toda Ryûji, who has stopped viewing her as his mother.

Toda Ryûji’s New Loyalty Makes Lady Mariko’s Family More Tragic

Mariko cut ties with her only living family members before her shocking death

Mariko had recently humiliated Buntaro by telling him she would rather live and suffer than die by his side in episode 8 and had now disgraced herself in the eyes of her son.

Lady Mariko had already lost her entire family after her father’s great betrayal, meaning that her only direct family members were her husband Buntaro and her son Toda Ryûji. Mariko had recently humiliated Buntaro by telling him she would rather live and suffer than die by his side in episode 8 and had now disgraced herself in the eyes of her son, Toda Ryûji. Rather than make peace with her remaining loved ones before her shocking death in Shōgun episode 9, Mariko cut all remaining ties to the Toda clan, whom she had always been embarrassed to be a part of, and died to reclaim her true family’s honor.