FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast Episode 1: Anjin
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Feb 27, 2024 From cultural bonding and falcon training to dressing samurai and Dutch sailors, the podcast delves into the captivating allure of adapting James Clavell's novel 'Shōgun' into the show 'FX’s Shōgun'. Featuring insights on creating a narrative that goes beyond typical cultural depictions, the challenges of translating dialogue from English to Japanese, and the meticulous craft of costume design in the series.
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Shogun's Core Themes
- Shogun is a story about globalization and cultural exchange.
- It explores themes of empathy, agency, and the challenges of cross-cultural understanding.
The Role of Language
- In the show, English represents a common language (lingua franca) between different cultures.
- Blackthorne (based on William Adams) would historically speak Dutch or Portuguese, not English.
Tarioshi's Gesture
- The writers initially underestimated the impact of Tarioshi's gesture in the first episode.
- Conversations with Japanese advisors helped them understand the cultural significance of the scene.