Mariko,could not allow herself to be kidnapped and taken as a hostage. She then would have become a bargining chip between Ishido and Toranaga. Now Ishido can already feel his power over the Regents and their family's, like sand, slipping away. On the chessboard of life Toranaga played his Queen, Check. Cheers, Chris Perry.

The shinobi were there to kidnap Mariko, which still looks guilty because Ishido gave her permits then she's kidnapped? But now it's 5x as bad because she winds up being killed. Ishido had the worst hand to play in history. All terrible options but he allowed himself to be played.

I love you guy's reactions hahaha Can't wait for ep 10!

This WAS Crimson Sky. Mariko was Crimson Sky.

What gets to me is how much esteem in which Mariko is held in, even with the shame of her name. How if she was allowed to kill herself the high families would rebel. Also the honour of her guard escort had in serving her.

She said that she would kill herself at sunset. What color was the sky at sunset? 🤔

i love your reactions to this show so much!! cant believe only one episode left :')

Fun fact: those are real arrows, and *_that_* really was Anna Sawai walking. Edit: _shinobi_ is just another word for ninja, and is the word most commonly used in Japan for them back in the day.

oh the bargaining!

Shinobo is the japanese word for ninja. Ninja is a chinese word

It's yah-boo-she-gay"! Lol

Mariko is Minowara ... Descended from an ancient Emperor. Outranks Lord Ishido and Lady Ochiba, who are commoners.