John Blackthorne, played by Cosmo Jarvis, delivers some of Shogun's most memorable lines. Below are 4 of the best John Blackthorne quotes from Shogun, each with the scene or episode where it appears, plus 4 pieces of trivia about the character.
Best John Blackthorne Quotes
"I want to learn your language. I want to understand your people."
— John Blackthorne, Season 1, Episode 2 - Servants of Two Masters
"I am not your enemy. I am the enemy of your enemies."
— John Blackthorne, Season 1, Episode 4 - The Eightfold Fence
"A man can die but once. We owe God a death."
— John Blackthorne, Season 1, Episode 6 - Ladies of the Willow World
"I have sailed to the ends of the earth. I will not be broken by a country I do not yet understand."
— John Blackthorne, Season 1, Episode 1 - Anjin
John Blackthorne Trivia & Fun Facts
- Blackthorne is based on the real English navigator William Adams, who became the first Western samurai in Japan.
- His Japanese name, Anjin, simply means 'pilot' or 'navigator' in Japanese.
- Blackthorne's ship, the Erasmus, is based on the real Dutch vessel De Liefde, which arrived in Japan in 1600.
- Cosmo Jarvis portrays Blackthorne, and his performance required extensive physical and emotional preparation for the role's demanding cultural immersion scenes.
Explore More
Read the full John Blackthorne character profile or browse all Shogun quotes.