Crimson Sky

"Crimson Sky" (Japanese: 紅天, Hepburn: Kōten) is the ninth episode of the American historical drama television series Shōgun, based on the novel by James Clavell. The episode was written by series co-creator Rachel Kondo and Caillin Puente, and directed by Frederick E. O. Toye. It was released on Hulu on April 16, 2024, and it also aired on FX on the same day.

The series is set in 1600, and follows three characters. John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance. In the episode, Toranaga, Blackthorne and Mariko return to Osaka to meet with Ishido.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.538 million household viewers and gained a 0.09 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received universal acclaim, with critics praising Anna Sawai's performance, tone, writing and ending.

The episode received several nominations at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Kondo and Puente,^[1] and won for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Toye and Outstanding Cinematography for Sam McCurdy. Sawai and Takehiro Hira submitted the episode for their Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series^[2] and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series respectively,^[3] with the former winning her category.^[4]