The brief earthquake in Shogun episode 4 "The Eightfold Fence" is an altered reference to the original literature. Shōgun, the critically acclaimed series on FX/Hulu, is essentially a recreation of the 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune, as well as an adaptation of James Clavell's 1975 historical novel of the same name. The new show is one of the first must-watch TV series of 2024, and it has garnered positive reviews.
The fourth episode of Shogun depicts the ongoing integration of Hatamoto John Blackthorne, who was just appointed, into Lord Torinaga's organization. Toranaga gives Blackthorne the task of teaching Ya bu shi ge's army "Western battle tactics," which mostly consist of studying historical battles and employing his incredibly realistic naval weapons. A deeper understanding of Lady Mariko is also beginning to take shape for Blackthorne as a result of glimpses into her past that illuminate aspects of her sad family legend and her duty to Lord Toranaga.
A small earthquake in Shogun episode 4 stuns Blackthorne, who has never felt one before. Mariko then uses this as an opportunity to explain to John how earthquakes have impacted Japanese people's life for many years. Mariko warns Blackthorne that there is death in the air, on land, and in the sea around Japan, adding that they also need to be cautious of fires and tsunamis, which frequently cause devastating damage to both towns and communities.
Although Blackthorne uses the earthquake as a minor plot device to learn more about Japan's natural history, the earthquake has a much deeper importance in James Clavell's work. In the novel, John rescued Toranaga from an earthquake and was subsequently given the name Hatamoto in recognition of his valor. Although Blackthorne did literally save Toranaga's life by getting him safely out of Osaka as Ishida's forces closed in on him in Shogun episode 3, the shift in 2024's Shogun seems more believable although anticlimactic.