Shogun Episode 4 Ending Explained: Why Toranaga’s Son Did THAT

WARNING: Spoilers for Shogun episode 4.

Shōgun episode 4 ends with the most gruesome moment on the show so far, and Nebara Josen’s death means war has officially started in FX’s historical epic. Following Lord Toranaga and John Blackthorne’s action-packed escape from Osaka, Shōgun episode 4 explored how valuable the Englishman’s arsenal and skills could be for Yoshii’s cause. However, what was supposed to be a series of exercises and demonstrations turned into actual combat when Lord Toranaga’s son surprisingly ordered the cannon to be fired against Nebara Josen and his samurai, which was perceived as a declaration of war.

Lord Toranaga is going to Edo, a key location for a character that is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu. The idea was for Blackthorne to train Toranaga’s regiment on foreign tactics while the Lord of Kanto was making other strategic moves ahead of the likely war against Ishido. However, things will now be much more complicated following the reckless actions of Yoshii Nagakado, who was easily manipulated by Kashigi Omi and ordered a brutal attack against Josen. The samurai was sent there by Ishido to bring Yabushige back to Osaka.

Toranaga’s Son Attacked The Regents’ Samurai To Prove Himself

Nagakado didn’t want to be seen as a spoiled child

Yoshii Nagakado, Lord Toranaga’s son in Shōgun, ordered his father’s samurai to shoot against Nebara Josen and his men using cannons at the end of episode 4. This led to the most gruesome death in Shōgun so far, with multiple samurai being brutally killed after being hit by the round shots. John Blackthorne’s cannons were supposed to be used for a demonstration as part of the training exercise he was conducting, yet they were used to attack the samurai that were there on behalf of Ishido and the Council of Regents.

Nagakado, who was perceived by many as a spoiled child, wanted to prove his value as the son of Lord Yoshii Toranaga. He believed that he would achieve respect and glory from his peers by killing the samurai who were working for his father’s enemy. Josen was asked to watch the demonstration but was surprised by Nagakado’s cry of war, which was followed by multiple cannon shots aimed at the samurai. Most of Josen’s men died immediately, but Josen himself only died after Nagakado gave the final blow using a sword.

Omi Manipulated Nagakado Into Attacking The Regents’ Men

Nagakado did exactly what Omi wanted him to do

While Nagakado had been wanting to make a name for himself and impress his father since the beginning of the show, Toranaga’s son was tricked by Kashigi Omi into attacking the regents’ samurai. On that night before the attack, Omi argued that Josen and his men were there as enemies of Lord Toranaga, and that they would capture one of the Lord of Kanto’s most important allies – Kashigi Yabushige. This led Nagakado to believe that he would be doing his father a favor by killing the Council of Regents’ samurai while also proving his value.

Interestingly, Omi himself was being manipulated into making a move against Ishido and the regents. Kiku, the courtesan who works closely with Yabushige, had a conversation with Omi about how he could eventually replace his uncle. Josen was there for Yabushige, and if there were to be any problems with his return to Osaka, this would make Yabushige a target. However, Omi was smart enough not to make any moves himself and instead tricked Nagakado into fighting this battle. If Yabushige pays the price for Nagakado’s actions, Omi’s plan will have worked.

Shōgun Episode Episode 4 Means The War Has Begun

Mariko realizes war is inevitable now

As announced by Lady Mariko herself at the end of Shōgun episode 4, the war has begun. While Toranaga and his enemies have been on bad terms since the beginning of the show, both sides were still cautious to avoid any bloodshed. However, the tension between Toranaga and the Council of Regents has reached a critical point now that Toranaga’s son personally ordered an attack against samurai who were representing the regents. Nagakado’s actions will be perceived as if they were commanded by Lord Toranaga even if the latter had no idea of what was going on.

The fact that Toranaga fled Osaka in secret was already big enough to make a war inevitable. However, neither Ishido nor any of the Christian lords made any immediate moves against Toranaga, which made sense considering how powerful the Lord of Kanto is. Still, now that several men have died because of an attack launched by Toranaga’s son, nothing can prevent a war from erupting. This is why Lady Mariko was crying in despair at the end of Shōgun episode 4 – she knows that these deaths will lead to many others.

Yabushige’s Allegiances In Shōgun Explained

Yabushige is trying to play both sides

Yabushige’s allegiances in Shōgun are confusing, as the character has been working for both Ishido and Toranaga since the beginning of the show. It is safe to say Yabushige is playing both sides of the conflict, hoping he will come out on top – or at least alive – at the end of it. Yabushige had a private meeting with Ishido in his castle at the beginning of the series, after which he made sure John Blackthorne would escape execution. However, Yabushige has also helped Toranaga escape from Osaka and is welcoming the Lord of Kanto into his village.

Was Mariko The One In Blackthorne’s Room?

Mariko says that a courtesan was sent to Blackthorne’s room

Shōgun episode 4 focused a lot on the potential relationship between Mariko and Blackthorne, the latter of which has now been given a consort as part of his Hatamoto privileges. It does not seem like Blackthorne and Fuji will be a couple, though, and the Englishman appears to be in love with Lady Mariko. A woman entered John’s room in the middle of the night, and the episode strongly suggested it was Mariko. In the morning, however, Mariko apparently lied by saying a courtesan was sent to Blackthorne’s room, leading to his disappointment.

How Will Toranaga React To His Son’s Actions In Shōgun?

Lord Toranaga is currently in Edo

One of the most exciting aspects of Shōgun’s next episode will be to see how Lord Toranaga will react to his son’s actions. Nagakado has essentially started a war on behalf of his father, who is currently in Edo and has no idea what his son is doing. Toranaga was fully aware that a war would have to be fought eventually, which is why he had Blackthorne train Yabushige’s men on foreign tactics. Still, Toranaga was surely not counting on his son brutally killing Ishido’s men when diplomacy could still have solved things.

How Will Ishido & The Council React To Nebara Josen’s Death?

Nebara Josen was there on behalf of Ishido

Ishido was eager to declare Toranaga a traitor and request his impeachment at the beginning of the series simply because he believed the Lord of Kanto was accumulating too much power. Toranaga’s son waging war against Ishido’s men means that the Council of Regents can now truly consider Toranaga an enemy, which is why whatever time they thought they had before the war erupted is gone. Additionally, Ishido may also decide that Yabushige is no longer trustworthy, as all of this happened under his watch. The aftermath of Josen’s death is expected to have long-lasting consequences in Shōgun.

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