Mon Sep 16 14:42:36 UTC 2024: ## Japanese Celebrate “Shogun” Emmy Triumph, Despite Many Not Watching the Series
**Tokyo, Japan** – A wave of national pride washed over Japan on Monday as the country celebrated the historic Emmy Awards triumph of “Shogun,” the drama series about warring dynasties in feudal Japan. The show smashed all-time records at the television awards in Los Angeles, winning an unprecedented 18 awards, including the prestigious award for Best Drama Series. This marks the first time a non-English language series has won the coveted prize.
The win has also made history for Japanese actors. Lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga, became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, while Anna Sawai achieved the same for her performance as Lady Mariko.
While many across Japan rejoiced at Sanada’s success, a significant portion of the public admitted they hadn’t yet watched the show. The series is currently only available on Disney’s streaming platform, which is relatively new in Japan.
“As a Japanese, I’m happy Sanada won,” said 70-year-old pensioner Kiyoko Kanda. “He worked so hard since he moved to Los Angeles.”
“I want to watch it. I’m curious to know how Japan is portrayed,” Kanda added.
Others, like Otsuka, who declined to give her first name, shared similar sentiments. “But I saw the news and I’m happy he won,” she said.
Despite not having seen the show, many, including young viewers like Yusuke Takizawa, were impressed by the trailers and the historical accuracy of the series.
“I was amazed by the high-spirited acting, the attention to detail, and the film technology,” Takizawa said, adding he believes the win will inspire more Japanese actors to pursue Hollywood dreams.
Even tourists in Japan, like Zara Ferjani from London, expressed their appreciation for the series. “I thought it was amazing…The direction was beautiful, and I really enjoyed watching something that wasn’t in English as well,” she said.
The win has also ignited a wave of excitement within the Japanese film industry. Director Shinichiro Ueda, known for the hit film “One Cut of the Dead,” wrote on X: “He won after many years of trying hard in Hollywood. It’s too cool.”
The new adaptation of “Shogun,” based on James Clavell’s popular novel, was filmed in Canada and features Japanese spoken throughout most of the show.
The series has been praised for its cultural and historical authenticity, a credit to Sanada’s co-production and the work of numerous experts, including Japanese wig technicians.
With its record-breaking win and the growing buzz around Japan, “Shogun” is poised to become a global phenomenon, potentially sparking a renewed interest in Japanese history and culture worldwide.
First Piper 