‘Groundbreaking’ realism key to ‘Shogun’ success

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LOS ANGELES – The samurai in “Shogun” don’t swing their arms as they walk — just one of many authentic historical details that have helped make the hit television drama this year’s top Emmys contender.
The period drama, praised for its meticulous approach to accuracy, made TV history with 25 Emmy nominations, and has already swept up 14 prizes in minor categories ahead of Sunday’s gala.
Set in early 17th-century feudal Japan, “Shogun” makes a break from decades of cliched and often bungled depictions of the country in Western-made film and television.
An army of experts including several wig technicians from Japan worked behind-the-scenes to make the series realistic, poring over sets, costumes and the actors’ movements.
Kyoto-based historian Frederik Cryns advised on everything from the types of kimonos to the position of tatami mats.
“My comments were compiled, and to my surprise, became a 2,100-page manual” that was followed almost to the letter, Cryns — a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies — told AFP.
Cryns said he had often felt a “sense of discomfort” when watching Japan-themed Hollywood movies because of their inaccuracy.
But “Shogun” — made by Disney-owned FX and co-produced by Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who also stars in the series — is the most realistic production of its kind, according to Cryns.
“Honestly, tears welled up in my eyes after watching the show” for the first time, he said.
“Shogun,” which means general in Japanese, was adapted from a popular novel by James Clavell, and filmed in Canada.
Some characters are inspired by real historical figures, including the protagonist Lord Toranaga (Sanada), who is based on Japan’s famous warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In the show, Toranaga fights for his life against his enemies with his allies British sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and noblewoman Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai).
Japanese is spoken in 70 percent of “Shogun” — a choice producer Eriko Miyagawa described as “groundbreaking”.
Even though most people might not notice, the crew strived to make even the props authentic because they “wanted to do 120 percent”, she said.