Legendary Woman Samurai: Hosokawa Gracia

Not Just the Tudors

Toda Mariko, or Mariko-san, one of the main characters from the new TV series Shogun - adapted from James Clavell's epic novel - is based on a real woman, Hosokawa Gracia. Who was she? Was she the zealous Christian martyr depicted in Jesuit missionary accounts, or a wife duty-bound to protect the honour of her family? Or was she the defiant female warrior of Japanese folklore?

In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Frederik Cryns, who was the historical advisor for the Shogun series and is writing a new biography of Hosokawa Gracia.

This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.

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