Shōgun

At turns charismatic, brilliant, and brutal, Kashigi Yabushige is the Lord of Izu.

Understanding how fickle loyalty can be, Yabushige is a cruel leader, striking fear in the hearts of his people. His reputation precedes him, and peasants quake in his presence.&nbsp;Yabushige has no affinity for domestic life and leaves his frightening wife to her own devices while he travels his lands with his koshō. The young man shares his ruthless streak, so Yabushige keeps the koshō close on the battlefield and in the bedroom. As an admirer of pain and a scholar of death, Yabushige lives his life on the edge of a cliff, frequently needing to write new wills.&nbsp;Yabushige left Ajiro to his inept brother, thinking it was the perfect place to forget about someone who served him no purpose. When he arrives in the humble fishing village to investigate the barbarian ship, he is impressed to see his nephew, Omi, leading in his father's stead.&nbsp;Omi is competent and cunning, and he may prove to be a valuable ally. Yabushgie finds another unexpected comrade in Blackthorne, a man unbound by Japanese social moirés. Through these two relationships, Yabushige may finally manage to get ahead.&nbsp;

It is not clear which historical figures James Clavell had in mind when he created the characters of Kashigi Yabushige and Omi. While the historical model for Blackthorne, William Adams, reached Bungo on Kyushu Island (present-day Oita Prefecture), Clavell changed the point of arrival to Izu, near Toranaga's territory. This change gave him many opportunities to develop the plot and the fictional characters of the Kashigis.

Every legend begins with a story.&nbsp;Explore the vision and artistry behind FX's Shōgun's groundbreaking series. Join host and staff writer Emily Yoshida as she sits down with the creators, cast, and crew that brought Sengoku Era Japan to life.

Kashigi Yabushige | FX's Shōgun

The Wild Card

Historical Background

Barbarian Ship

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Omi

Ishido

Fuji