Shōgun episode 5 sees a shocking return that caught viewers off guard, but the question is, how did Toda Buntaro survive? As much as fans hoped to see John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko's romance unfold, Buntaro's presence under one roof takes a different turn in their story.
CONTENT SPOILERS: This article contains spoilers for Shōgun, so proceed with caution.
Toda Buntaro Was Thought To Be Dead in Shōgun
Toda Buntaro (played by Shin'nosuke Abe), aka the legal husband of Lady Mariko, was initially thought to have died early on in the series.
Not only did this mean John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko could easily act on their secret affair together, but the latter was finally free from the shackles of an abusive marriage.
However, once episode 5 titled Broken to the Fist comes into view, Lady Mariko receives news that her husband is still alive and kicking. So, what gives? How did Buntaro survive his death?
READ MORE: Shōgun: Why Did Lady Fuji Kill the Gardener Uejirou in Episode 5?
How Did Buntaro Survive in the Series?
While Lady Mariko stays on Lord Toranaga's side on their horses, they take some time to idly chat about how this may be her first time watching the men hunt.
To this, the Lord brings up the fact that her husband, Buntaro, took twenty days before "returning to us."
"A contingent of ronin helped him fight his way out," Lord Toranaga explains, "By the time they reached Edo, only two men were left. It was a terrible ordeal."
As much as Lady Mariko wants to seem grateful that her husband survives, she knows what looms ahead if she shares the same roof with Buntaro alongside John Blackthorne.
Little did she know, Lord Toranaga specifically instructed her to do exactly that: "This way, you can serve them both" as a wife to Buntaro and as Blackthorne's guide and interpreter.
In the same episode, it was revealed how Lady Mariko feels about her husband. With the tensions rising between the three of them, the subject comes up when Blackthorne confronts her about her feelings.
As it turns out, Lady Mariko tells Blackthorne, "I will give my husband nothing. Not even my hatred. Because that is what he merits."
READ NEXT: Did Lady Mariko Love Her Husband in Shogun? Her Marriage with Buntaro Explored
Shōgun episode 6 titled Ladies of the Willow World premieres on Hulu on March 26.
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