It's easy to envision Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing towards the horizon with a serene sense of accomplishment over his contributions to FX's acclaimed miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, experiences several such moments in the show's final episode, "A Dream of a Dream," as his patient and masterful strategies finally culminate in the desired outcome: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
 |
| Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in 'Shōgun.' KATIE YU/FX/DISNEY |
Sanada's moment of career triumph mirrors his decades-long journey in the entertainment industry. He embarked on his acting career nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, studying under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on his path to becoming a prominent local star. He later ventured into Hollywood, securing roles in renowned projects such as The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4, and many more.
Now, he stands as the centerpiece of what many analysts deem to be Disney's most-watched streaming series to date—a show that also marks his inaugural venture as a producer. With Shōgun, Sanada achieves a long-held aspiration of melding his Japanese and American careers. He spearheads a period samurai narrative that marries Hollywood's production prowess with an exceptional level of cultural accuracy and reverence.
"Western and Japanese cast and crew collaborated across cultures to achieve a shared goal—to authentically tell this remarkable old tale," Sanada reflects. "That we were able to realize this is nothing short of a miracle."
Regarding the show's future beyond FX's initial plans for a single season, Sanada, like the show's co-creators, offers no definitive insights. "We've discussed how the story could continue since we began filming, but who knows," he muses. However, he does share his hopes for how Shōgun will be remembered if Lord Toranaga's on-screen journey has indeed concluded.
How do you interpret the conclusion of Lord Toranaga's journey in Shōgun, considering the losses he endured?
I perceive it as a bittersweet conclusion. While there are moments of sadness, the ending unveils Toranaga's ultimate aspiration and his role in shaping Japan's future. Toranaga's dream, which he tirelessly pursued, was to usher in a period of peace that lasted for approximately 260 years after the Warring States period, until Japan opened up to the world. Despite facing numerous challenges, Toranaga's perseverance and a stroke of good fortune enabled him to alter the course of history. His achievement in establishing this era of peace stands as his greatest legacy and has elevated him to the status of a revered hero in Japanese history.
From childhood, I have immersed myself in stories about Toranaga, from novels to films and TV series. I even portrayed Tokugawa Ieyasu, a role model for Toranaga, in a 1989 Japanese historical drama. I was drawn to this role in Shōgun because I believe that in today's world, we need heroes who can inspire peace. Toranaga's story exemplifies the arduous journey towards peace, a message that resonates strongly in today's world, where conflicts persist. Shōgun serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges inherent in achieving peace.
In the final scene between you and Tadanobu Asano as Yabushige, there's a question about whether Toranaga's ultimate goal was always to become Shōgun or if circumstances led him to pursue that role. What's your perspective on this?
We intentionally kept Toranaga's true intentions ambiguous throughout the series. While he states early on that he's not interested in becoming Shōgun, his words are often strategic, and his actual desires remain mysterious. In my interpretation, Toranaga didn't actively seek the title but came to realize that assuming the role of Shōgun was necessary to achieve his dream of peace.
 |
| Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in ‘Shōgun.’ FX |
This aspect of the character resonated with me personally, as it paralleled my experience on this production. In my previous work, I never sought or was given the title of producer. However, on this project, I began to feel the limitations of my influence behind the scenes as an actor. There were times when I had strong opinions on how things should be handled, but I hesitated to voice them, not wanting to undermine others' pride. Eventually, I was asked to become a full producer, and I immediately noticed the difference in my ability to contribute. With this title, I could freely share my views, and the production benefited from it. Perhaps Toranaga's journey was similar. While he may not have initially desired the role of Shōgun, he came to realize that it was necessary to fulfill his vision of a peaceful era.
Are you considering continuing your role as a producer in future projects?
Absolutely, I'm eager to continue. Being involved in shaping a project from its inception is incredibly fulfilling. However, the decision to take on a producer role will depend on the nature of the story being told. For projects set in contemporary or futuristic settings where authenticity isn't paramount, I'm content to focus on my acting role without delving into production.
For instance, in films like "Bullet Train" and "John Wick," where the setting is distinct from historical Japan, my involvement as a producer wasn't as necessary. However, if I'm working on a project that delves into Japanese history or culture, like Shōgun, I'll likely advocate for a producer role to ensure authenticity and accuracy. Ultimately, it will be a case-by-case decision based on the project's needs and goals.
As you embodied Toranaga throughout the season, how did you approach shaping your portrayal of such a historically significant figure?
 |
| Sanada in Shōgun. FX |
It was essential for me to approach Toranaga as a complex human being, rather than simply a powerful and mysterious figure. While he is undoubtedly a great strategist and influential leader, I wanted to portray his humanity, including moments of weakness and his roles as a family man. I made a conscious effort to set aside previous portrayals, including those by esteemed actors like Toshiro Mifune, and focus on creating a multifaceted character. Toranaga, to me, is not just a strong samurai archetype but a nuanced individual with various facets to his personality.
Did shooting Shōgun chronologically benefit your portrayal of Toranaga?
Yes, it did, especially in deepening my connection with my co-stars. While I had a clear understanding of Toranaga from the extensive pre production process, shooting chronologically allowed me to gradually build deeper connections with my fellow actors. For instance, my relationship with Anjin, played by Cosmo Jarvis, evolved naturally over time.
Cosmo and I decided not to interact much off-camera, believing that our chemistry should develop organically on set. This approach helped our on-screen relationship feel authentic and allowed us to respect each other's performances more as the series progressed. Overall, shooting chronologically helped us create more genuine and evolving relationships between our characters.
It sounds like you had a very different dynamic with Anna Sawai compared to Cosmo Jarvis. Can you talk more about your relationship with Anna and how it influenced your portrayal of Toranaga's bond with Lady Mariko?
Absolutely. Anna was new to the samurai drama genre, so I felt a responsibility to support and guide her both on and off set. We spent a lot of time together, discussing dialogue, traditional movements, and fighting styles. I provided support on set and even held weekend Zoom sessions to work on dialogue with her. Through this process, our relationship deepened, and it felt like we were discovering her character together, much like Toranaga and Mariko's relationship in the series.
By the time we reached episode nine, our bond had evolved, and I think this was evident in our performances. The audience could feel the unique chemistry and connection between us, mirroring the deep bond between Toranaga and Mariko. It was a rewarding experience to see Anna's talents grow and to witness our characters' relationship develop on screen.
How do you feel when you have a new samurai project coming up? Is the makeup and costume process cumbersome, or is it nice to know that you’ll be wearing swords to work again soon?
(Laughs) Wearing the kimono and the sword feels like second nature to me. I've worn them for half of my career, so they're incredibly familiar. Even the armor feels comfortable, like slipping into pajamas. The dialogue in Jidaigeki Japanese, which is like our version of Shakespearean English, can be challenging for young actors, but I've been acting since I was 5 years old and have done many samurai films over the years. It feels like I grew up bilingual, speaking both ancient and modern Japanese.
 |
| Sanada in Shōgun. FX |
With this project, being involved as a producer and bringing my whole team from Japan, including samurai specialists and experienced Japanese crew for each department, I felt totally confident and relaxed when it came time to step in front of the camera. Performing felt like my reward for working so hard as a producer. I could just relax and be there as my character.
In "Twilight Samurai," you portray a very different kind of samurai compared to Lord Toranaga.
(Laughs) That's right. A humble, ordinary family man. No grand aspirations, no pursuit of glory.
"Twilight Samurai" and "Harakiri" are examples of films that offer a different perspective on the samurai ethos, almost critiquing it. How do you view the Bushidō code from a modern standpoint, given your experience in these stories?
While the Bushidō code includes elements that may seem extreme or antiquated today, such as the emphasis on violence and loyalty at all costs, each rule and value has its historical context and purpose. Loyalty, for example, often demanded great sacrifices. However, I believe that Bushidō also teaches us how to avoid conflict.
It emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and sacrifice to create a more peaceful world. This message resonates with the core theme of "Shōgun." I hope that viewers can see this message in the story and find ways to apply it to their own lives.
0 Comments