"Ladies of the Willow World" (Japanese: うたかたの女たち, Hepburn: Utakata no Onnatachi) is the sixth episode of the American historical drama television series Shōgun, based on the novel by James Clavell.
John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance.
Ochiba believes Toranaga plotted her father's death, so she and Ishido offer Ito, an influential warlord, a seat on the council.
Toranaga's war council wants to use his secret Crimson Sky plan, involving a quick, decisive attack on Osaka Castle, to defeat Ishido.
When news of Sugiyama's death reaches Ajiro, Toranaga realizes that his impeachment is inevitable and invokes Crimson Sky to protect Yaechiyo and limit future bloodshed.
In February 2024, Hulu confirmed that the sixth episode of the series would be titled "Ladies of the Willow World", and was to be written by Maegan Houang, and directed by Hiromi Kamata.
[3]: 7:04–9:06 In its original FX broadcast, "Ladies of the Willow World" was seen by an estimated 0.523 million household viewers and gained a 0.10 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
[4] This was a slight decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 0.554 million household viewers and gained a 0.10 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
"[7] Jesse Raub of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "To this point, it's been easy to read Shōgun as a story about powerful men making important decisions.
"[10] Johnny Loftus of Decider wrote, "Mariko's childhood memories weave through episode six of Shōgun like the fine silk threading of a kimono.