Couldn't stop laughing when Blackthorne offered him - they what we now know "worthless" Katanas.
Does Toranaga know or does only Mariko?
It doesn't matter if Toranaga knows. The swords aren't themselves worthless, only the life and honor of Fuji's father. The importance was the gesture of the gift by Blackthorne. He understands the cultural significance of Toranaga missing his swords, and offers his own as would any Hatamoto. In that moment they aren't Fuji's swords, they are Blackthorne's. It gives Toranaga face and allows him to appear strong before his retainers in the wake of the earthquake.
Clever move by Toranago to make Omi the cannon leader, so his Uncle Yabushige might hesitate to attack once he eventually turns traitor.
I bet Toranaga still is a couple of chess moves and just used Yabushige as pawn.
He seems kind of to be the comic relief...
Yes and no. As Yabu's Daimyo and overlord, Toranaga could order him to commit seppuku on any pretense. Not that there wouldn't be consequences, but he could do it if he felt Yabu was an immediate threat. However, in the book at this point, I don't recall Toranaga having any reason to suspect him of treachery, only that he bore watching.
So Buntaro, outmaned by an army, got some convenient ronin support, who conveniently all bit the dust during his miraculous escape, except one... Yeah, I don't buy it. I bet he's involved with some other Lord or even some shadow lady's scheming.
The only good thing about Buntaro the abusive wife beater, still being alive is - that hopefully and fingers crossed - Mariko will end his life, when she takes her life (and revenge) in her own hands... (hope it's not just wishful thinking)
Interesting that you think this. Obviously this show is your first exposure to this story. I won't spoil anything for you, but just say that most of Buntaro's storyline is an addon to the book.
Why did he persist with the bird (ironically the one Toranaga said was the pawn or whatever), what was he trying to achieve in the first place, just having a laugh? making sure it ages and makes good stinky British stew?
He was simply hanging the bird to age the meat. He didn't realize he was making the whole village nauseous. They overplayed his instructions a bit here- in the book, there was no threat of death from Blackthorne, he simply said that nobody was to touch the bird but him. That made the impact of what happened later a little more jarring, and his realization that in feudal Japan, words, duty, and caste can be traps, prisons, or tools. For the samurai, the concept of duty itself can be weaponized. You'll see later how well he learns this lesson.
Fuji made Buntaro more mad than usual, by implying Mariko and Blackthorne might pillow together?!
the dumbass d*ck measuring, sake fueled contest between him and Buntaro and poor Mariko... just WTF all around.
Fuji was
not implying Mariko slept with Blackthorne, only confirming (and saving her own face in his eyes) by stating that he had not pillowed with her. Fuji knows that to out Mariko (if she even knows what actually happened) would mean her death. The dinner party scene was handled much more roughly here than in the original miniseries or the book.
utter terrible outcome for the poor gardener, it was him who said the stone thing to him I assume, which Blackthorn in the end "built up" again. Not only dead, but conveniently also made a spy... wonder if it will have an impact that he was Blackthorns gardener specifically...
The fate of the gardener was only terrible by western standards. By Japanese standards, the gardener died a noble and honorable death. It was a 'blink and you missed it' moment, but they alluded to the fact (the book more so) that the old gardener was sick and in pain. He was facing a lingering death soon anyway. The opportunity to remove the offensive pheasant was a duty that had to be performed by someone, and benefited the village in general. His death was relatively quick and painless compared to what he was facing, and he obtained great face and honor with his people by volunteering. It is an alien concept to us, and abhorent, but by the standards of the time and culture it was an excellent death.
Damn, that's a terrible family story from Mariko.
Heh, she admitted the pillowing to Blackthorne I think when she said something along the lines "from now on only from others lips/words"
She admitted nothing. All she said was that she would only be speaking to him on official business going forward.
I'm not sure she's greatful or what at the end where Blackthorne comes back and why did she actively put him in harms way with Buntaro?
She never put him in harm's way with Buntaro. From her perspective, she's simply caught in a hellish situation with no way out. Fuji's situation exemplifies how duty can be a prison.
the box lady trying to rule over the lords
Is she the one that pillowed with Oni or his uncle (don't remember) in the last episode to suggest to play Toranaga's kid, so that he uses the cannons to start a war?
No. You are mistaking the Geisha Kiko for Lady Ochiba.
