The Eightfold Fence is one of several intriguing concepts from medieval Japan introduced in theFXhistorical dramaShōgun, and while the show gives a brief explanation on the meaning, the significance of the idea is much deeper.Shōgunepisode 4, which is titled “The Eightfold Fence”, and features the titular idea when Mariko (Anna Sawai) attempts to explain the behavior of Usami Fuji (Moeka Hoshi) to John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). Mariko reveals to Blackthorne that understanding The Eightfold Fence will be key to the foreigner’s time in Japan, as it’s a guiding philosophy not only for Fuji, but the rest of the populace too.
Mariko’s explanation of The Eightfold Fence inShōgunis relatively brief, but covers the concept well in broad strokes. It allows Blackthorne to understand just how different the worldview of the people of Japan is to the philosophies that guide the populace of his native Europe. However, many viewers have sought a deeper explanation of what The Eightfold Fence actually means, and why it’s so significant for Blackthorn, Fuji, Mariko, and the rest ofthe characters inShōgun.
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The Eightfold Fence Is A Coping Mechanism
Compartmentalization Is Key
As Mariko explains to Blackthorne inShōgun,the concept of The Eightfold Fence is an important psychological coping mechanism for the citizens of medieval Japan.It’s essential to their outlook on the world as they navigate life in the incredibly violent and militaristic society, and is followed as a philosophy by everyone from the lowest peasant to feudal lords like Yoshii Toranaga.
Essentially, the people of the world of feudal Japan inShōgunuse The Eightfold Fence as a method to compartmentalize their fears, doubts, ambitions, and other feelings (similar to the idea of compartmentalization as it exists in present-day psychology). It is through The Eightfold Fence that the characters inShōgunare able to carry out their duties and stay true to their sense of honor despite any misgivings they may have.
Why The Eightfold Fence Is Important For Mariko And Blackthorne
The Philosophy Is Key For Every Shogun Character
Shōgunmakes it clear that The Eightfold Fence is an incredibly important concept for every character in the show, including Mariko and, once he understands it, Blackthorne.It is the psychological tool through which they are able to navigate their complex and dangerous lives, and how they manage to stay so reserved and (from Blackthorne’s perspective) almost cold and unfeeling despite some of the incredibly violent events happening around them.
Mariko explains to Blackthorne that The Eightfold Fence is how she and other characters manage to acknowledge their feelings without acting on them, or letting emotions sway their decisions. It allows them to emotionally detach themselves from the circumstances of the present to carry out their tasks or duties efficiently.
As Mariko explains, it’s having a strong Eightfold Fence that allows Fuji to carry out her duties as a consort to Blackthorne despite the intense pain and trauma of herhusband committing Seppukuand the death of their infant child. For Mariko, it’s her own Eightfold Fence that has given her the mental strength to continue on with her life after the death of her husband, Toda Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe).
The True Meaning Of The Eightfold Fence In Shogun
The Concept Is Beyond Significant
The Eightfold Fence is extremely important toShōgunas a whole. A key theme of the show is Blackthorne coming to learn and understand the differences between the world of Japan in the Sengoku period of the 16th century.Understanding The Eightfold Fence brings Blackthorne a great deal of clarity, as it allows him to contextualize the behavior of not only Fuji and Mariko, but also the likes of Lord Toranaga and many others.
However,The Eightfold Fence also has far greater significance for the wider setting. Like many of the morehistorically accurate aspects ofShōgun,The Eightfold Path is real and is an important concept in the history of Japan. It’s ingrained into the native religion of Japan that Western religions like Christianity are attempting to override during the period, and has ties to the nation’s creation myth during the Sengoku period.
The Eightfold Fence has its roots in some of the earliest Japanese texts, such as the poetry collection known as the Kojiki.Among the many poems in the Kojiki is a piece that details the creation of Japan by Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a storm god. According to the Kojiki, Susanoo-no-Mikoto first created eight islands, and these land masses were the start of what would eventually become Japan. The Eightfold Fence has such significance in Japanese culture that it’s still present and discussed today, so it’s of little surprise that the idea has such prominence inShōguntoo.
Shogun
Cast
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
