Proud and possessed with a strong sense of self, Usami Fuji is the favorite granddaughter of the revered warlord, Hiromatsu. One might mistake the slight young woman as weak, but you would be doing so at your own peril because Fuji has an iron will, and as the daughter of a samurai, she has the skill to enforce it.
At the start of our story, Fuji's life is marred by a terrible tragedy, but her stubborn resilience and unflappable loyalty make her a valuable member of Toranaga's entourage.
Adopted at nine years old, Fuji always felt like an outsider. When her new father died in the invasion of Korea, Hiromatsu stepped in to help his son's family, immediately seeing the potential in Fuji.
A bright young child, she took over her grief-stricken mother's duties and began training with her grandfather in the art of the naginata. The two share a strong sense of honor and a desire to protect their family. With Hiromatsu, Fuji finally felt like she belonged.
Her grandfather arranged an advantageous marriage for Fuji, selecting Tadayoshi as her husband, a promising young samurai in Toranaga's personal guard. Although Fuji dreaded marriage as a young girl, running a household suited her and gave her a sense of responsibility that she longed for. In Edo, Toranaga's home city, she built a home with Tadayoshi and gave birth to a son. Fuji's closest confidant is her lady-in-waiting, though her travels with Toranaga have allowed her to grow closer to Mariko, her aunt-by-marriage.
As conflict brews in Japan and misfortune surrounds her, Fuji will have an opportunity to show her true strength.
Usami Fuji
Fuji is not based on a historical figure, but there are numerous examples of women being used as strategic tools in the Sengoku period. Marriage was political for samurai, decided by the parents or the lord, even against the woman’s will. For example, O-inu-no-kata, the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga (Kuroda in Shōgun), had to endure two political marriages arranged by her brother.
Nobunaga first married her to Saji Nobukata, a warlord in Owari Province with whom Nobunaga wanted to strengthen ties. O-inu-no-kata bore him two sons. After Nobukata was killed in battle, she returned to her brother's castle. Three years later, Nobunaga married her again, this time to Hosokawa Akimoto (who was not related to Hosokawa Tadaoki) in order to ease tensions between the Hosokawa and Oda clans.
Character Highlight: Usami Fuji
Mariko intervenes in a fight and comforts Fuji through an unimaginable loss.
2:28OFFICIAL PODCAST
A ground that does not waver to man.
Host Emily Yoshida and guests break down episode 5 of FX’s Shōgun. Featuring showrunner Justin Marks, actors Cosmo Jarvis "Blackthorne" & Moeki Hoshi "Fuji," and producer Mako Kamitsuna. Creators and cast members discuss that "groundbreaking" earthquake, explore the dark corners of Buntaro's mind, and breakdown the fate of a gardener.
Characters
