WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for the Shōgun finale.
Summary Yabushige’s pride for his death poem brought surprise humor in Shogun’s finale, showcasing his comedic nature even at his demise.
Yabushige’s rudimentary poem calls back to his criticisms of Lady Mariko’s leafless branch poem from episode 9.
Shogun has impressively maintained a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, solidifying its place as one of the best modern miniseries.
The series finale of Shōgun was still able to include a brief comedic moment for Yabushige before his tragic conclusion. As one of the best original miniseries in recent memory, Shōgun brilliantly concluded on April 23, 2024 with a satisfying, full-circle ending. After Yabushige confessed to Lord Toranaga his participation in Lady Mariko’s shocking death at Osaka Castle in Shōgun episode 9, the two-faced traitor met his fate at the hand of Toranaga’s honorable blade with a smile that was signature to his character.
Following the release of Shōgun’s finale “A Dream of a Dream”, the complete Shōgun series is now available to stream on Hulu or watch on demand through FX. Shōgun has impressively maintained its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 99% after debuting with a 100% back in February 2024, making it one of the greatest modern miniseries in recent memory. Despite the success of Shōgun, it is unlikely that there will be a second season because it is based on a standalone novel by James Clavell.
Related Shogun Was The Best Miniseries I’ve Seen In 5 Years Outstanding miniseries such as Shōgun only come around every so often. Shōgun has already joined the conversation as one of the best of all time.
Yabushige’s Death Poem Brought Surprise Humor In Shogun’s Finale
Even facing death, Yabushige found a way to incorporate humor into his final moments
Image via Hulu/FX
Yabushige’s death poem read, ” My dead body / Don’t burn it, Don’t bury it, Just leave it in the field / And with it, fill the belly of some hungry dog. ”
Yabushige’s death poem was the last funny gesture he was able to perform before his ultimate death at the hands of Toranaga. Yabushige has been the comic relief throughout the series despite his untrustworthy methods of serving both Lord Ishido and Lord Toranaga. Even facing death, Yabushige found a way to incorporate humor into the final moments of his life through his death poem, which he had his nephew Kashigi Omi read aloud.
Yabushige’s death poem read, “My dead body / Don’t burn it, Don’t bury it, Just leave it in the field / And with it, fill the belly of some hungry dog.” While Yabushige’s final written words are quite bleak, the gleaming pride that he has for them is what makes this moment funny. It’s also comical considering how Yabushige criticized Mariko’s “leafless branch” poem, which was much more thoughtfully constructed and metaphorical than his poem was.
Related Anna Sawai’s Breathtaking Performance In Shogun Is A Reminder To Watch Her 2022 Drama With 97% On RT Anna Sawai has become one of the best characters in the highly celebrated series Shōgun but she has also starred in another critically acclaimed show.
How Yabushige’s Poem Calls Back To Lady Mariko
Yabushige clearly missed the point of Mariko’s poem
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Yabushige is convinced that his rudimentary death poem is better than Mariko’s based on how pleased he is with himself after Omi reads it aloud.
Yabushige made fun of Lady Mariko’s leafless branch poem in Shōgun episode 9, questioning why anyone would write about a leafless branch in spring. Clearly missing the point of Mariko’s words, Yabushige demonstrates with his death poem that he doesn’t have much of a knack for conceptual or abstract ideas. Despite this, Yabushige is convinced that his rudimentary death poem is better than Mariko’s based on how pleased he is with himself after Omi reads it aloud, saying he thinks his skills have sharpened in his final moments in Shōgun.