Yabushige’s final moments in Shōgun’s finale still fit his character perfectly, capturing the lovable traits of an otherwise untrustworthy character.

The series finale of Shōgun was still able to include a brief comedic moment for Yabushige before his tragic conclusion. As one of the best original miniseries in recent memory, Shōgun brilliantly concluded on April 23, 2024 with a satisfying, full-circle ending. After Yabushige confessed to Lord Toranaga his participation in Lady Mariko’s shocking death at Osaka Castle in Shōgun episode 9, the two-faced traitor met his fate at the hand of Toranaga’s honorable blade with a smile that was signature to his character.

Following the release of Shōgun’s finale “A Dream of a Dream”, the complete Shōgun series is now available to stream on Hulu or watch on demand through FX. Shōgun has impressively maintained its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 99% after debuting with a 100% back in February 2024, making it one of the greatest modern miniseries in recent memory. Despite the success of Shōgun, it is unlikely that there will be a second season because it is based on a standalone novel by James Clavell.

Yabushige’s Death Poem Brought Surprise Humor In Shogun’s Finale

Even facing death, Yabushige found a way to incorporate humor into his final moments

Yabushige’s death poem read, ” My dead body / Don’t burn it, Don’t bury it, Just leave it in the field / And with it, fill the belly of some hungry dog. ”

Yabushige’s death poem was the last funny gesture he was able to perform before his ultimate death at the hands of Toranaga. Yabushige has been the comic relief throughout the series despite his untrustworthy methods of serving both Lord Ishido and Lord Toranaga. Even facing death, Yabushige found a way to incorporate humor into the final moments of his life through his death poem, which he had his nephew Kashigi Omi read aloud.

How Yabushige’s Poem Calls Back To Lady Mariko

Yabushige clearly missed the point of Mariko’s poem

Yabushige is convinced that his rudimentary death poem is better than Mariko’s based on how pleased he is with himself after Omi reads it aloud.

Yabushige made fun of Lady Mariko’s leafless branch poem in Shōgun episode 9, questioning why anyone would write about a leafless branch in spring. Clearly missing the point of Mariko’s words, Yabushige demonstrates with his death poem that he doesn’t have much of a knack for conceptual or abstract ideas. Despite this, Yabushige is convinced that his rudimentary death poem is better than Mariko’s based on how pleased he is with himself after Omi reads it aloud, saying he thinks his skills have sharpened in his final moments in Shōgun.

How Yabushige’s Poem Calls Back To Lady Mariko

Yabushige clearly missed the point of Mariko’s poem

Yabushige is convinced that his rudimentary death poem is better than Mariko’s based on how pleased he is with himself after Omi reads it aloud.