Today’s Pill #210: “Flowers are only flowers because they fall”
The quote “Flowers are only flowers because they fall” from Shogun episode 9 can be interpreted in a few ways, all hinting at the episode’s themes of beauty, impermanence, and sacrifice.
1. Beauty in Impermanence: Flowers are most beautiful when they are in full bloom, but their beauty is fleeting. Similarly, life’s most precious moments are often temporary, making them even more valuable. This reflects the precarious situation of Mariko and Blackthorne, where their happiness and safety are constantly under threat.
2. Sacrifice and Mortality: Flowers fall and die in order to reproduce, ensuring the cycle of life continues. This could foreshadow Mariko making a sacrifice, potentially even dying, to achieve a greater good. It highlights the harsh reality that even beautiful things like Mariko can be lost.
3. Wabi-Sabi: This Japanese aesthetic concept embraces the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. “Flowers are only flowers because they fall” could reflect this idea, suggesting that Mariko’s potential fall from grace or even death wouldn’t diminish the beauty and impact of her life.
