#john x mariko

[ariadnethedragon]

Blackthorne x Mariko

SHŌGUN (2024)

[drrav3nb]

There's a shadow on both of you

Bonus:

[femininemenon]

TODA MARIKO and JOHN BLACKTHORNE SHŌGUN — 1x09: “Crimson Sky” (2024)

[bloomsbury]

like what do you mean the whole scene was inspired by "in the mood for love"... their unspoken tension as the sexiest scene in the show... are you insane!!

[cinematic-phosphenes]

“I, Akechi Mariko, protest this shameful attack by Lord Ishido. And by my death …” (Shōgun 2024, Chapter 9: Crimson Sky)

And he closed his eyes and heard no sound but her breathing warm against his mouth (St. Stephen's Cross, Vienna Teng)

Saint Stephen is venerated as the first martyr in Christianity

[goldiecastelia]

WHERE ARE THE FANFICS!?!?!?!?!?!? FOR ALL THAT IS MOST SACRED, WHERE ARE THE FANFICS?!?!?!?!?!?! It could even be an alternative universe, but please make fanfics!

[dgct2]

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR CRIMSON SKY

When Blackthorne stepped up to be her second as she was about to commit seppuku (suicide) in Shōgun‘s pivotal Episode 9, that was the “moment she realizes that what they share is much deeper than what she had anticipated,” Sawai tells TV Insider. “That’s the gesture that changes everything.”

Seconding her seppuku means striking the fatal blow. Mariko would first stab herself in the gut, and then Blackthorne would decapitate her as the tradition mandates. That he was ready to do this for Mariko was the ultimate symbol of Blackthorne’s evolution from the beginning of the series to now. It’s the highest sign of respect that he can give, as it prioritizes her cultural customs and loyalty over his own desires for her to keep living. And he begged her to keep living.

“He’s taking her over his own religion and beliefs,” Sawai explains of the powerful moment. “A couple scenes before that he’s asking her to keep living for him. And so I think that it just shows that he really, really cares, and that is the most romantic thing that you could ever do for someone that you love.”

They slept together once more after the thwarted seppuku. The energy between them in that moment was a defiant refusal to deny their feelings any longer, initiated by a yearning Blackthorne. But even if Buntaro had died, Sawai doesn’t see a world where Mariko and Blackthorne would have ended up together forever. “I don’t think it was realistic for that to happen,” she admits.

Mariko was never in denial about her love for Blackthorne, even if she hid it deep within herself. “Circumstances are not going to let her be with him, and so you can’t keep chasing something that you’re not going to be,” Sawai says. “It’s not healthy to keep wanting to chase it, but it’s undeniable what they share. That connection is truly just their own thing. It’s very, very intimate.”

Mariko never believed they would end up together, but Sawai reveals that her translator definitely “holds onto” their connection as a comfort in tough times. She doesn’t let her guard down again, however, until circumstances push her to let go of all restraint.

Mariko’s seppuku was stopped at the last moment by Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira), but he sent a group of assassins to kill her later that night. When she, Blackthorne, Lord Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), and other women were cornered and outnumbered, Blackthorne desperately tried to protect them from canon fire in a shed, whereas Mariko accepted death. “Anjin-sama, let it come,” she told her lover with tears in her eyes. You could see every ounce of love Mariko had for Blackthorne in this brief, tender moment before the blast killed her. Sawai played that scene as Mariko’s one chance to let all of her love for Blackthorne pour out.

“I remember just looking at Cosmo/Blackthorne and feeling like this is her goodbye. She’s not going to be able to come up to him and hold his hand and say this stuff,” Sawai shares. “It was wishful also to just accept your fate because that’s something that Blackthorne couldn’t do. He’s trying to control everything, and she’s just someone who’s like, we live and we die. We control nothing beyond that. She’s just looking at him like, I’m going to go, but thank you. And I hope you understand.”

[stormbornspawn]

Can we please get an actual romance for John and Mariko? The book is quite clear on the terms of their relationship. They are together, in love, and very affectionate with each other when away from prying eyes. Why can’t we have this?

We have 4 episodes left and the last two were them basically at odds with each other. I get a little angst - but this is painful. Especially when the source material gives us none of this. They sleep together and Buntaro comes back - Mariko is like well I guess we can’t do that anymore. The stoicism they’ve given to Mariko is extremely beyond any 8 fold fence - she’s playful and funny in the books.

War is about to go down and these two need to find some happiness before shit goes crazy. Sorry for the rant, I’m just in my feelings because I’ve been burned with quite a few other shows in recent memory. When you know the pair are supposed to be together and in love - like give it to us. Not that hard. The words are already written for you.

[togetherwithmistakes]

Shogun ep 9 has me reeling with all the implications but one that struck me that I haven’t seen anyone talk about is that now John is stranded without a translator. I know he has some basic Japanese but he still seems lost in most meaningful conversations and now that Mariko has sacrificed herself, he has lost both his love and his way of communicating.

His only alternative is the Portuguese catholic priests and I imagine he would rather not be at their mercy…. I’m just curious how he’s going to survive in this world without her :( did Mariko confess to Alvito her feelings for John and will his friendship and admiration for her enable him to help John out?

Also if anyone has any ideas about the meaning of John drawing the line in the sand during Mariko’s confession scene… was he drawing a cross to pray to? Was he doing it as an act of defiance against the facade of structure and rules they are trapped in?? Im lost on that one…

[lafiametta]

to the edge of the world

Shōgun 2024 | Blackthorne x Mariko | Rated T | 2.1k

He cannot sleep.  Perhaps it is because, even after so many months in this country, he has still not accustomed himself to sleeping on the floor, with only a woven mat as a mattress and a pillow filled with hard grains to cushion his head.  But he suspects it is something else. Someone else.  To hear Mariko-sama speak of her past—to hear her speak of herself at all—was a rare thing, made even more unnerving by the quiet finality with which she spoke. It was natural to want to right an injustice, especially one visited upon one’s family. But she did not seem to desire vengeance or even public redress. Merely resolution. It is an unsettled word, implying a cessation, a loose thread snipped, and he is unsettled by it.

[Read on AO3]

[brujitaadinbo]

John and Mariko are my new Roman empire. The attraction blossomed in them from the beginning. So connected, so together, so integrated, despite the difference in cultures, religions, thoughts. After joining in body, when they are in the world of the willow, see how Mariko translates those words to John as if she were saying them for him and only for him.

She smiles when she is next to him. He smiles and lifts his chest to strut in front of her. There is definitely something more between them.

[ariadnethedragon]

SHŌGUN (2024)

Chapter 9: Crimson Sky

[drrav3nb]

COSMO JARVIS as John Blackthorne ANNA SAWAI as Toda Mariko SHŌGUN | Chapter Five: Broken to the Fist

Please tell [Buntaro], that while I understand that in this country, like mine, a man's wife is his property. But I believe strongly, that his wife merits better.

[femininemenon]

TODA MARIKO and JOHN BLACKTHORNE SHŌGUN — 1x09: “Crimson Sky” (2024)

[bloomsbury]

"then would you consider, living for me?"

[cinematic-phosphenes]

Beautiful Boy, The Last Dinner Party

"This house is cursed."