Sho-what? Japan celebrates little heard-of Emmys winner

Japan celebrated on Monday the record-breaking Emmy Awards triumph of "Shogun", although many confessed not having watched the series about the country's warring dynasties in the feudal era.

"Shogun" smashed all-time records at the television awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, taking home an astounding 18 statuettes and becoming the first non-English-language winner of the highly coveted award for best drama series.

Lead Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga, became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, while Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko achieved the same feat with the best actress award.

"As a Japanese, I'm happy Sanada won," Kiyoko Kanda, a 70-year-old pensioner, told AFP in Tokyo.

Anna Sawai, winner the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for "Shogun" poses at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake

"He worked so hard since he moved to Los Angeles," she said.

"In 'Last Samurai', Tom Cruise was the lead, but it's exciting Sanada is the main character in 'Shogun'," Kanda added.

But she admitted that she only watched the trailer. The series is available only on the Disney platform, which is relatively new in Japan.

"I want to watch it. I'm curious to know how Japan is portrayed," Kanda said.

Otsuka, who declined to give her first name, said she, too, has not watched the show.

"But I saw the news and I'm happy he won."

Hiroyuki Sanada, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Shogun" REUTERS

The words "historic achievements" and "Hiroyuki Sanada" were trending on X in Japanese, while Sanada's speech at the awards racked up tens of thousands of views.

Yusuke Takizawa, 41, also only watched a trailer but he said he was amazed by the quality of the show.

"I was impressed by the high-spirited acting, the attention to detail and the film technology," Takizawa told AFP outside Osaka Castle, a major historical location for the series.

"I think many young people will want to try their hand in Hollywood after watching Sanada," he said.

Anna Sawai, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for 'Shogun', Hiroyuki Sanada, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for 'Shogun' and cast and crew of the series, pose at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S. REUTERS

Tourists at the castle also welcomed the record Emmy win.

"I think was the best TV show that I've seen this year," said Zara Ferjani, a visitor from London."I thought it was amazing... The direction was beautiful, and I really enjoyed watching something that wasn't in English as well," the 33-year-old said.

She said she had planned to watch "Shogun" after returning home from Japan.

"But one of my friends strongly advised me to watch it beforehand, just to appreciate the culture more and definitely Osaka Castle more," she added.