On February 27, the FX Network will debut a new 10-part miniseries based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel Shogun, a historical drama loosely based on the adventures of English navigator William Adams. Adams journeyed to Japan in 1600 and rose to high rank in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who from 1603–1605 held the title of shogun (the military warlords who actually ruled Japan in the Emperor’s name). It follows a successful and critically acclaimed earlier version that aired on NBC in 1980.
Of interest to students of aikido, other than the fight scenes and presence of martial arts star and dramatic lead Hiroyuki Sanada (Twilight Samurai, The Last Samurai, John Wick: Chapter 4), is the original novel and mini-series debuted during a time when aikido was on its ascendency in America. This was tied to the emergence of postwar Japan as a major world player in manufacturing and business, which spurned widespread interest in Japanese culture. Japanese food, fine arts and martial arts went from fringe interests found in ethnic enclaves or only catering to high-end connoisseurs to having a high degree of mainstream visibility (if not always popularity).
The new miniseries debuts at a quite different time. Many of its cultural and historical trappings will not feel as exotic to younger viewers long exposed through popular anime, manga and video games. Japanese martial arts are also now seen as one of many, competing with both arts from other countries and the rise of MMA.
Though it might not provide exact insights, watching and comparing the two versions of Shogun and considering their different approaches may provide an interesting glimpse in the shifting nature of the appeal of Japanese arts and traditions (including aikido) here in the U.S.
Shogun 1980 trailer
Shogun 2024 trailer