How many Shogun books are there?

While Shogun is part of the 6 book series of James Clavell's Asian Saga, it is the only book released under the title of Shogun.

The famous television series Shogun, released in 2024, is known to be the live-action adaptation of the book of the same name. The series was directed by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, with a total of 10 episodes in its 1st season. The series is acclaimed for its cultural accuracy and descriptions throughout its storyline. The entire first season of Shogun is based on the book written by James Clavell and was created under the banner of the FX series.

How many Shogun books are there?

Shogun is known to be the sole book with the title under James Clavell's Asian Saga, which consists of five other books - King Rat, Tai-Pan, Noble House, Whirlwind, and Gai-Jin. These books cover various Asian historical figures that have made a huge impact on history. In this Asian saga, Shogun does not have any sequels or prequels and is known to be a solo narrative released by the author.

The story of Shogun introduces the character John Blackthorne who is an English pilot traveling across new seas to reach the shores of Japan to start his trading business in the region. Things get dicey for the pilot and his crew when they get shipwrecked, which gets them to Japan, but as prisoners. As the story goes on, John forms relations with various characters including Toranaga, the Lord of Kanto, agreeing that if he trains his army with the navy routines and methods of using cannons and guns like Englishmen, Toranaga will allow John to rebuild his ship and return to his homeland.

Characters of Shogun

Shogun includes an assembly of characters, with Hiroyuki Sanada portraying the role of Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who is a powerful warlord in the region of Kanto in Japan. Along with Sanada, we have Cosmo Jarvis playing John Blackthorne, who is recalled by the name “Anjin” throughout the series. Anna Sawai plays the lead female role of Toda Mariko, who is one of the main vessels of Lord Toranaga and plays a pivotal role in shaping John Blackthorne’s storyline in the series.

Tadanobu Asano plays the role of Kashigi Yabushige, one of the scheming lords in Izu which came under Lord Toranaga’s region. Takehiro Hira plays the role of Ishido Kazunari, the arch nemesis of Lord Toranaga, who like his rival grew up from being a nobody to the ruler of Osaka Castle, and a member of the Regent. Fumi Nikaido plays the role of Ochiba no Kata who is one of the leading ladies in the series. Ociba no Kata is the widowed wife of the former Taiko and the mother of the future heir of the kingdom.

Also read: What is Shogun about?