tank top. Aknv
Anna Sawai is no stranger to action-packed roles previously appearing in Universal’s F9 and Apple TV+’s Pachinko and of course the Godzilla spinoff Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Her latest role, however, is unlike any of the previous: she is the savvy translator Lady Mariko in FX’s 17th-century show Shōgun. Lady Mariko is not only a complex character that is navigating a politically entrenched landscape where women have limited rights, but she is simultaneously dynamic and powerful. “We really get to see the whole journey, and we get to kind of grow with her,” says Sawai about Lady Mariko’s character.
Sawai spoke to Schön! about preparing for her role as Lady Mariko, what she hopes viewers take from the show, and what types of roles she would like to pursue next.
metallic structured mini dress. Christian Siriano
ear cuffs + ring. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
opposite
cropped tuxedo blazer, chiffon bralette, panty, hat + scarf. Dolce & Gabbana
shoes. Christian Siriano
stockings. Wolford
How is your year going so far?
So far it has been great. With the release of my latest show – the reception has been very unexpected in the most positive way. So, I have been doing a lot of travelling and talking to a lot of people about the new show which is very exciting.
You were born in New Zealand, and then moved to Japan. Tell us more about that and where are you based?
Yes, I was born in New Zealand then I moved to Japan when I was like two, and then we went to Hong Kong, and then the Philippines and I was back in Japan when I was 10, and I’ve been there since. I’m currently – well actually I don’t know where to say when people ask where I’m based because I’m in between Japan and the States quite often. So, both really.
knit dress. Caroline Hu
silver earrings. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
opposite
dress. PatBO
silver earrings. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
Have you always known you wanted to act?
Yes. I mean, I feel fairly early on. Before that, it was more music. I did a musical when I was a kid, but nothing really happened after that. And then when I was 16, that was when I kind of figured out that acting was the path that I wanted to pursue. When I made that choice, it wasn’t easy for me because I was part of this music agency, and they wanted me to focus on music. So yeah, back in 2018, my contract with them finished. So, in 2019, I basically started from zero, and I met my current manager.
You’ve had so many great roles across a diverse range of genres – Universal’s F9 (2021), Apple TV+’s Pachinko (2022) and Godzilla spinoff Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023). And now you play Lady Mariko in Shōgun. If you had to choose, who has been your favourite character to channel up until now and why?
I think my favourite character is Lady Mariko, to be honest, because there’s so much more about her that we haven’t gotten to see. I think that she’s just so complex. Like she’s fragile, and she’s sensitive, but at the same time, like there’s such a strong core, and she’s kind of maneuvering her way. We see that even though it’s such a controlling society that she lives in, and there’s not enough space for women to speak up, she still has her own fate in her hands. We really get to see the whole journey, and we get to kind of grow with her.
dress. ASHLYN
ring. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
opposite
dress. ASHLYN
shoes. Christian Siriano
earrings + ring. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
Let’s talk about Shōgun. Tell us in your own words what it is about.
It’s about politics. It’s about human relations. It’s about learning our differences and accepting our fate. There is a little bit of romance, but none of the characters are defined by the romances.
How was preparing to play Lady Mariko different (or similar) to your other roles?
I think in so many ways she was just very, very different. There was a lot of physical preparation that I had to do, for example. I had to wear and walk in the kimonos – just learning everything, because it changes your physicality. Of course, the speech was completely different. Oh, and of course there was also horseback riding and sword fighting. All of that stuff was like nothing that I had to do on other sets, so those kinds of things were different.
You know, I also think mentally it was the most heavy character that I’ve played. And getting to know the story and realizing that, all these extremes that she goes through was different. The character is based on Hosokawa Gracia, who existed in 1600. So, just mentally preparing myself for what was to come was a really important and heavy part of preparation.
full look. Aknvas
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full look. Versace
What do you hope that viewers take away from watching?
I guess a better understanding of our culture and our people because it’s all lightly based on our history. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding and a little bit of a fantastical image that people have of Japanese culture. However, this show brings a little more of realism in my point of view. So, I just hope that they have a better understanding of us and where we’re coming from. For example, I think people tend to think that people from Japan are very polite and obedient, but usually, it’s because we were kind of in a position where we couldn’t say anything. We had to abide by the rules. But in this show, we get a better understanding of the characters and that they are saying yes, even though they think no. There is much to be learned.
Following such an important and heavy character such as Lady Mariko, have you thought about what type of role you would like to pursue next?
I think in general, it comes down to if I’m drawn to the role. I do think that recently I have been wanting to try different things so that I can figure myself out. After doing a little bit more of that, I do think that the trauma genre is the thing that does click most with me. I like watching it, and I think generally I do better when the role is in the genre of drama. So, who knows – I think maybe more of that.
metallic structured mini dress. Christian Siriano
ear cuffs + ring. Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise
opposite
full look. Aknvas
shoes. Aknvas X Stuart Weitzman
Shogūn is streaming now on Disney+.
photography. Hannah Sider
fashion + editing. Newheart Z. Ohanian @ B&A Reps Agency
talent. Anna Sawai
hair. Dana Boyer @ The Wall Group using Bumble and bumble
make up. Yumi Mori using Chanel Beauty
photography assistant. Layton Davis
fashion assistants. Angie Hines + Levi Eig
interview. Sandy Aziz
