Shogun Episode 10: The True Meaning of THAT Smile!
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- čas přidán 23. 04. 2024
- Do you know why Yabushige smiled at Toranaga as he was committing seppuku? And do you know why Toranaga smiled back? When I first watched the scene I thought the two were smiling because they both realized that their journeys, all the years they worked together, good and bad, were finally over, so it was like a smile as a final goodbye. But after thinking on it a little more and actually going back to the previous episodes, I realized there is a deeper meaning behind their smile, actually more than one meaning. Let’s talk about it!
#shogun #shogunfx
More on real John Blackthorne, William Adams, • Shogun: The Real John ...
More on real Mariko, Hosokawa Gracia, • Shogun Mariko: The REA... - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Yabushige in England would be the weirdest spinoff I need in my life.
That poor guy was under so much pressure. His death "poem" was very fitting.
I know, right?
But Yabu is also the best character. He's not an evil guy and just wants to survive. We definitely need a spinoff for Yabu in England.
Some of the remarks he’d make about the place would be hilarious😂
W/ a fever dream cameo feat Darius from Atlanta
yabu smiles “well played sir”
Toranaga smiles back “thank you for playing your part well”
I think it's Yabu realising he was right Toranaga always wanted to be Shogun and the smile back acknowledges his right
i totally agree with you...
Toranaga was implacable about denying becoming Shogun that was he can be seen as having been "forced" to take the mantle because of the turmoil going on around him.
@nationalsocialism3504 he had the armor made in the style of his shogun ancestors, he was ruthless in moving chess pieces to get to his end goal and he didn't deny it to Yabu it was his goal. He only acknowledge it with smile after Yabu was fatally wounded and couldn't share his learning with anyone. It was his secret heart.
In the book they said. Toronaga would kill the hier to take shogun title based on histroy its legit
yep
Yabushige : Toranaga, you one tricky smart ass son of a B
Toranaga : Hell fkin yeah
lol
Yabushige: Oh you m* f*er!
Toranaga: Damn right!
Toranaga: 🤷🏻♂️
@L1ghtn1ngSt4r they knew it all along :D
Real recognize real.
I think your first take is the best one.
Yubashige smiles because he has finally been let in on Toranaga's intrigues and knows, yes, his lord will prevail. His betrayal was all part of Toranaga's calculus as Toranaga has always known Yabushige's inner heart. Ironically, he realizes he has rendered faithful service to his lord through his unfaithfulness, and his actions have made a decisive difference.
Toronaga's smile, in return, acknowledges all these thoughts and confirms to Yabushige that, yes, in his heart-of-hearts, he desires to be Shōgun, something he has not willingly revealed to any other companion. It's a brilliant moment of these two comrades' hearts communing, leaving nothing unsaid at their final goodbye.
Beautifully done! 👏👏👏
No I think he smiles because he's looking at death ☠️ in the face. In this case it's Toranaga his dear lifelong friend. Remember he was telling Anjin I face death at every turn... on the battlefield (with Ishido), the cliffs, escaping Osaka only to find death looking at me again. He smiles because his time is finally up. He's relieved.
@@jonfreeman9682 I don't disagree that these thoughts and emotions are also present in Yabushige. It's such a deep, expertly woven scene of pure communion that nothing has been left unsaid in this last moment.
Omg
Ridiculous analysis.. He just smiles cause he finally understands Toranagas plans. Talk about overanalyzing
I agree with your analysis. The shared smile was an acknowledgement between old friends. Toronaga was confirming what his friend suspected and this allowed his friend to die happy.
Lol Yabu got saved from killing himself when he fell down that ocean cliff, but in the end he still ended up at the bottom of an ocean cliff.
Nooooo 😭
Maybe there is school of angry fish down there.
For some reason...while I was watching that clip....something was telling me that there was something special about that scene. The setting, the cliffs, the view......ahhhhh... now I remember. Thanks a much
That's genius
The Kuo-toa people need their sacrifice, they wont let go that easy ^_^ ... Boooal!!
Yabushigue was in the end like the best character.
I agree!
Yep agree too. Toranaga was just ambitious, cold and calculating. Yabushige plotting too but just to stay alive and was so much fun. What a shame he has to commit seppukku.
Definitely one of the best characters in the show and a cheeky bastard
Tirando claro Toranaga, o pior, Anjin rsrsrsrs
Yabu: * grunt! *
The smiles were traded when two Samurai showed their 3rd hearts to each other. Or more precise, Yabu smiled because he finally saw Toranaga's third heart and Toranaga smiled because Yabu only had seconds to carry that knowledge.
Oh that's a great reference!
this level of thinking deserves more likes.👌
Great way to think about that! Well done!
If you study Toranaga's smile you'd notice it was initially a smile of monetarily letting his guard down to give Yabushige confirmation that what he thought was right.
YES. Beacuse he immediately returned to his regular face
Hiroyuki in an interview did say that playing Toranaga, he had to mask the emotions Toranaga might be feeling because Toranaga always has this poker face (now we know why). this indeed was him letting his guard down, this was the real Toranaga
The smile on both sides is recognition that both sides were doing what they did for their own goals. For Yabushige it was survival and for Toranaga it was becoming shogun.
Yabushige and Toranaga recognised each other. Finally their end goals were exposed. Yabushige wanted to live and Toranaga wanted to be shogun.. Yabushige respected Toranaga's deception, since he was also someone that used deception to attain his goals. Yabushige was lying left and right to achieve his goal and so was Toranaga. So they laughed at doing the same thing, Toranaga just doing it on another level. Yabushige smiled cause he realised Toranaga was doing the same thing he did, just on a higher level.
The smile is an acknowledgement of their lifetime friendship. Toranaga is too ruthless IMO and should know Yabu did not betray him but in fact woke up Mariko to save her. Yabu was just trying to survive that's all. I was kinda expecting Toranaga to ask his friend to stand-up and it was all an act to test him that's all.
If you read and study real history of Toranaga(Tokugawa Ieyasu), Toranaga was villain, Ishido want to preserved Taiko legacy and protected heir, and loyal to Taiko(Hideyoshi), Ishido/Ishida knew and smell Toranaga plan because of his increased his fief and vassal, build new city Edo, Toranaga using people, deception, manipulation, strategies and trickery, he do not honor Taiko wish and preserved the Heir. Taiko/Hideyoshi almost go war with Toranaga, for beginning we knew Toranaga wanted to be Shogun or control all Japan, he slowly expended his fief and vassal, planning and Ishido knew this. if ishido vassal and regent do not switch side, Toranaga will lost and dead if not regent and some vassal switch side. In the book, it look Ishido/Ishida look like villan, and after Toranaga become Shogun, he wipeout Taiko Clan(Toyotomi), Taiko Son who are young man(20s old) and mothers Ochiba commited seppuku. betrayed them. and also Portuguese, Catholic regent and Catholic who switch side and help Toranaga be executed, banned and kick out,, all outside especially Spanish and Portugese are enemy to Japan, because, Portugal and Spain conqured America, Philippines, Guam, Macau, Malacca/Malay Sultanate, Maluku Tidore and Ternate Sultanate, Port and Coastal Arabian and Arab control Swahili Coast city and port like Mombasa, Kilwa, Dar es salam, Lamu etc, Nusatenggara Island/Flores, Timor etc and fear Portuguese can invaded Japan just like Mongol try to do 400 years ago, only Dutch and Chinese was allowed to trade and come to Japanese Port. Toranaga used most loyal and trust person, and also using the enemy. I dont blame Yabushige if he confused and play both side. even he regret later to side back to Ishido for a while but totally regret and asked for forgivenss, that why he dont care if he died because guilt of Mariko death.
That smile was definitely in recognition of Yabu finally seeing Toranaga’s “inner heart”. That he wasn’t some noble leader but he had his on selfish ambition. Especially when Toranaga told him that he was the one who destroyed Blackthornes ship, but was still killing villagers in an false attempt to unearth a spy that never existed. All as rouse. Toranaga is the “villain” of this story. In truth, they’re all villains
@@safuwanfauzi5014 Yes but Tokugawa;s ruthlessness led to the peaceful Edo period and brought an end to the civil wars that had plagued Japan for hundreds of years ....sometimes a ruthless leader is needed to bring about peace....so you can call him a villain all you want but his actions benefitted Japan in the end...if Ishido and the regents stayed in power then there would have been civil war again, because the regents would have eventually competed for control...maybe you need to read up on the history again
@@cyborgchicken3502 that true, i know about peaceful edo. what i explain about who is Iesayu, he ruthless. that is the fact.
I think Yabu was smiling because he saw Toranaga was giving him a "worthy" death as well. A headless body crashing down off a cliff, left for the fishes and animals... Sounds like something Yabushige would have appreciated.
I think this cliff was the same where Anjin-sama saved him when Yabushige tried to rescue unconscious Rodrigues. Yabushige almost died down there and tried to commit seppuku but Blackthorne made it in time to drop a rope for him.
The running joke in the episodes about his “will” was so hilarious!
At least he was able to finish it at the end 😭
@@thenextseason please make a episode ranking.
How about the church and the brothel being neighbors 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@Mundursignh1386 Fr. Martin slowly realizig Toranaga's joke: "eh, the courtisans... "😅
*Spongebob standing up* "Yup, time to write another will"
This is the 2nd time Toranaga beheaded Yabushige....1st time in 47 Ronin
That scene was almost the same there.
Sh1t,your right.😮😮😮😂😂😂,I didn't realise that.
What??!! I had no idea about that
@@thenextseason That's why he smiles :)
You are correct @@firat.tas.photographer
Remember that part when Rodriguez was telling Blackthorne about how every man had 3 hearts? Now match that with Toranaga. One heart in his mouth for the world to know - his claims of not wanting to be Shogun, surrendering to the council, etc. Another heart in his chest for his friends - only his undercover samurai/fisherman and maybe even to an extent Hiromatsu really knew what his plans were. And now a third heart a man must keep secret if he wants to survive - His ambition of being the Shogun, and the sacrifices he knew would be needed to execute his plans.
I also think the smile was Yabushige's appreciation of the genius of Toranaga. He realised that while he was just learning how to play checkers, Toranaga was a master at chess and used him as a pawn!
I also interpret Toranaga's smile back to Yabushige as a "I actually like you and admire your whits despite you being a bit of a snake, but you're no match for me and I'm glad you just realised. And had I not had to cut your head off out of principle and to maintain my game, we probably could have achieved some great things together. Goodbye old friend."
I think it also meant that Toranaga doesn't actually hold a grudge against Yabushige, it's all simply part of the plan. Yabushige served his purpose, and Toranaga is grateful for that.
Yab before he got cut, smiled at Toranaga to seek confirmation that his plan of being Shogun was his plan all along, and Toranaga smiling back was an acknowledgement to him conveying that, yep Yab you're right.
Perfect scene!
All you can do when death smiles at you is smile back.
Ha ☝️ - great one 👏
czcams.com/video/dXfJDKBNLyw/video.html
It's a hell of a lot easier to be willing to sacrifice for your ambitions when you're sacrificing other people's lives, not your own
i disagree. i'd rather die than to lose loved ones, especially a son.
As brilliant as Toranaga was, his plans could have failed at many times throughout the story. He read the wind masterfully, but he still had to make gambles that it would carry him where he wanted to go. His own life, as well as all of his closest friends and family, were at risk.
I thought more so that it was just him affirming that yabushige was correct about his secret heart and that the ultimate goal always had been shogun
Great point!
Yabushige was always for himself to save himself. Toranaga used everyone around him as pawns in his plan. The sacrifice not for the greater good, but for a decisive winner. Yabushige smiles resigned to his fate knowing no matter how hard he tries, he is just a knight in Toranagas movements. Yabu reacted to the wind, Toranaga reads the wind and thus the pieces fall into play.
Fate vs. Destiny.
Perfect explanation!
We find though that Yabushige was not afraid of death, he was willing to kill himself in the beginning rather than be a drowning victim. I think his ego prevented him from truly submitting to anyone.
Omi being a spy makes for far better storytelling than the unnamed squire/page.
I agree!
Toranaga is the kind of guy who'd have BOTH as spies and neither would know. After all he had placed a samurai ninja in deep cover in that village, presumably for _decades._ He was 12 steps ahead of Yabu at all times.
i think its the gardener/samurai spy that overheard the conversation if anyone
Regardless of why he smiled, the smile, which is a very simple nuance in the show sparked such conversation afterwards! That's what makes this show so amazing. There are so many moments like this throughout the season.
Yes. I love that we can talk about a damn smile for this long! It's incredible
Very insightful. Thank you for shedding some light on that incredible moment.
The Exchange of smiles, Yab was Happy and Proud of his Lord, for then he knew Tor Won. Yab foresaw the future right before his Head left his body and Smiled.
Extraordinarily well thought out, and we'll done! Thank you for sharing.
He received the gift of death for playing his part and believed how you embraced your death defined the man.
I think part of Toranaga's smile was from the fact Yabushige had finally figured out the overall plan that had been put into place. I think he reserves that look for anyone who finally sees through all the layers of deception and realizes what the end goal is, as a sign of respect.
For example Toranaga gives a similar but more subdued smile to Lady Gin, in the stick of time episode, when she correctly points out that someone with Toranaga's cunning fell too easily into a trap.
Toranaga respected guile and deception, but Yabushige tried to hard to be cunning, he didn't know how to be subtle and bent to quickly in any direction where he thought he could get an advantage. He was too quick to turn his coat when the threat looked eminent, and just as quick to turn it back the moment he thought the threat had passed, which is probably why Toranaga never really seemed to respect him as much as he wanted or thought he deserved. In fact it's very likely that Toranaga almost encouraged this behavior because he could manipulate it to his own purposes.
In the end Yabushige finally saw the big picture, he stopped scheming, accepted his fate without argument and realized that Toranaga was almost always six moves ahead of everyone else. Yabushige realized his own schemes and deceptions had been part of Toranaga's bigger plan, it was already anticipated and was used to make Toranaga's opponents think he was weak or vulnerable. Yabushige's death was just one more piece in the bigger game and he realized it at the moment of his end, so for a brief moment Yabushige had Toranaga's respect and Toranaga respected him in return.
Really insightful commentary, thank you!
The subtleties present in both the scripting and the acting in this show have been superb. Very rare these days.
Wonderful insight and commentary. Thank you.
Yabushige was my absolute favorite character of these series.
I think Yabu's smile was from figuring out what Toranaga was all about and that 6:17 he,was no better than him, Toranaga was like so what you are gonna die
"Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back."
- Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor.
I love this call back. Thank you for sharing. Super fun.
Thank you for watching!
Yabushige is one of the most complex characters ever, and that complexity is what makes him one of the must human characters in any series ever. It goes without saying that the actor playing him was just OUTSTANDING
I feel very bad for Kashigi Yabushige. He only wanted to live! Maybe he was cruel but at the same time he was very funny.
Making a man laugh is reason to stay alive.
Yeah well had he just been patient….
He didn't deserve this. Remember Yabu saved Mariko waking them all up and leading them to the distillery. It was Mariko that chose to stand in front of the door to die which was the plan all along. Toranaga planned for Mariko to go there and die as a martyr to win Ochiba support. So it's not fair to kill Yabu when in fact it was Toranaga who deliberately sent Mariko to her death from the beginning.
Toranaga is not a good person too. He killed many people to become shogun.
@@meisteryoda4263 There are no "good" people in this. Everyone has their motives. Everyone has their own ambitions. And everyone makes good and bad choices.
Great video commentary, excellent observations and I had a few ‘Aha’ moments. ❤
Toranaga: Any last words?
Yabushige: 🤪hehehe...catfish?
This is great, thanks!
Yabusighe, Torunaga and Mariko all deserve emmys for their performances.
I like your explanation of how Yabusighe realises Torunaga knew everything from beginning as reason for smile. Which he acknowledges by smiling back
Yabushige was easily my favorite character. He just steals every scene he’s in. His acting is so emotive and animated which just makes his range more impressive. In every episode, I was most interested in his story. Deserves all the recognition and praise. I hope to see him more.
Tadanobu Asano is actually a big star.
Seen him before in many big movies.
I'm sure yiu can find the movie Mongol 2007 somewhere in the internet where he plays Ginghis Khan.
He was also the antagonist in 47 Ronin against Hiroyuki Sanada.
Obviously both actors are friends.
My favorite parts were when Yabushige and Blackthorn did not use translator and both of them were talking in their language, hardly understood the words but agreed to the other that yes, that is the plan. :)
Awesome insight!…Thank you!
Great video. And great show! Haven’t seen much real deep analysis of Shogun, definitely out there but surface level majority, and this little quick video about one scene (very important scene haha) let’s me know you were struck by this show as much as I have been. Great video!
Nice. I had the thought but didn't connect the dots! Awesome video.
As a huge Shogun fan, your insight is amazing.
Thank you soo much!
I think you are spot on with your explanations. I didn't see that at first, but now it makes perfect sense.
Thank you!
Incredible series, a master class of everything, I loved it!!!
This is the best explanation of the ending I was looking for. Tnx
Great video, nice catch. I did notice the repetition of some lines yet I didn't remember this one. Subbed and belled.
Thanks for the sub!
Yabo; finally grasps true emotion and meaning at the moment of death. He smiles at Death. Death smiles back at him.
I think it’s more like this is his final act of rebellion, as if he’s saying “this doesn’t faze me”
and Toronaga smiles in acknowledgment and admiration, as if he’s saying “you are a crazy mfer”
Or he could be smiling at death saying you finally got me. I'm relieved it's over.
Great speculation and interpretation. A moment definitely worthy of pondering. I like your take better than anything else heard elasewherr
Thank you soo much!
Excellent pick up regarding the line call back between the two of them!
There is so much depth in each scene... Shogun is a masterpiece.
Great insight...totally missed that....thank you😂😂
Good call. I agree. Toranaga had many spies and we were reminded of this fact troughout the season.
The smile was a revelation/realization about the spies.
Thank you!
Excellent breakdown and I agree! Yabushige was a highlight of this show for me!
Yabushige smile as: "you are taking too long to cut my head" is not very strong theory, as for a warrior it was expected to cut his stomach first from left to right horizontally and them, from Botton to top vertically forming a L shape before his assistant finishing him out. I believe it took the appropriate time.
I think wat you are describing is a form of seppuku, but one rarely practiced and i don't think it even involved a second to cut off the head. I really forgot the actual name, but if you chose to go out like that, it was expected that after you performed the cuts you stay there in silence until death.
But getting back on the seppuku issue. The second could cut off the head any time after the person comitting seppuku reached for the knife and neither would lose honor. Not letting an honorable fighter suffer unnecessary in death was an act of respect. So many times the head was cut off when the knife was placed on the belly or even when the samurai reached for it.
Great analysis of the line and makes total sense!
Thank you!
Both characters were so well written. Loved this series, cant wait for season 2
Toda Mariko Haiku Poem.
- Petals fall with grace,
Duty stains the rising sun,
Her choice bravely made.
Great analysis
GOT is NOWHERE near the level achieved by Shogun.
GoT has a special place in my heart despite its ending, so I won't agree. But I know this show has been incredible so I get where you're coming from
I agree, but historical is preferable to fantasy for me anyway ...
They are so different. Shogun is more refined and GOT is more suspenseful about what will happen next. Shogun for me though.
Shogun is in large part a true story. That makes it hit differently IMO. I still remember playing an old RTS game on PS2 that was based on it.
They are so different and only 1 season is out so you cant really compare well or fair. (at this moment i fall towards GoT/HoD)
Awesome stuff 👏
Thank you!
Fantastic take. It also speaks to the futility of his choices - the smile could be him accepting the idea of his fate or destiny
Thats brilliant!
Wow, I am so glad I saw this. I had no idea about the call back to the earlier statement.
Wow very interesting also good point.
you nailed it
This is just a perfect show for me. 10/10 one of the best things ever put to screen.
Wow, that’s a very good clue, that call back to that episode. It most definitely is Toronaga letting him know. I’ve known all along. And Yabushigue smiling realizing he thought he was playing his lord, but all along, he was being played perfectly by his Lord.
i think all of your readings are correct. these are complex characters and there’s plenty of room for multiple emotions. yes, the long game. yes, the embrace of the death experience. yes, a mutual appreciation. really good scene analysis!!
Excellent analysis....looked at it from all alngles..I appreciate that. I think it could have been part of both. How did you like the 80's movie that this show was based on (along with the book of course).
I think you're spot on with this
Yabushige smiles to have finally found Toranaga's hidden 3rd hidden heart, to become Shogun.
Both Blackthorn and yashibe realized Toranagas plan by the end. And he confirmed it to both of them. Boat scene and sepuku scene. Both were used as distractions and pawns for his greater goal, as was mariko was always sought to die in an honorable way.
I enjoyed the show...though it ended up being quite different than what was advertised.
Beautiful Series
Great catch! First version is the one. Defo wasn't sarcastic, and defo wasn't "too long" regarding the beheading. Toranaga actually was quite swift - if you research this topic you will find out this was in fact very merciful.
Yabushige is obsessed with death. I think he smiles because his has finally arrived, and he is legitimately happy and fascinated.
Nice thoughts! This was a masterful ending. The way I saw it was that it was a way to show his true heart for a moment, like yes I want to be the fucking shogun!
This is definitely a show I need to re-watch from the start.
3rd heart acknowledgment. The seeds of that explanation for the final scene are everywhere in the show...
I actually wanted Yabushige to live! Sad to see such a character die
Yabushige was my favorite character, perfectly acted and i just loved the mannerisms of the character.
God i loved these two's final scene and that smile both of them have as they look at each other for the last time
Remember the flashback in a previous episode where Toranaga seconded the execution of another traitor a long time ago when he was a young boy and it took him many tries to behead the man. He smiles because now that he is older and with all he has learned and endured he finds himself in the same position but with the skills he needs to do it in a single swing of his sword.
It's a smile of feeling accomplishment and being finally ready to take power.
Oh, that's a great point. I didn't think of that
Yabushige SMILED as he slit open his stomach, enduring so much pain... he may had some flaws but that is really impressive
Such a good show.
one thing I'd like to say about this show is that it is a comedy as much as a tragedy and drama. a lot of people are disappointed not seeing a big battle in the end. I think they missed the point of the show. It would be uncharacteristic to the show's story telling to have a battle at the end if you have been paying attention to the last 9 episodes. Remember that line about why he kept blackthorne alive? "I kept him alive because he made me laugh." The irony is lost on those people. It's really funny how Toranaga cat stringed a lot of people. He made fools out of you. You really thought there was gonna be a big battle? haha that was the point, you are a fool if you believed that. If you really thought that then you still don't know Toranaga and you haven't been paying attention to the past 9 episodes. Toranaga played you, the show itself played you. It's meta. That's why I love the ending. It's perfect piece of storytelling. In a way, it's a comedy.
I like this comment A LOT!
Everybody that wanted a war scene should reflect on what was told to Nagakado... those who are eager for war are those who have never experienced it... people lusted for Yoshii's blood the entire series and he always avoided it and flipped the script. He traded the death of loyal vassals to avoid the destruction of Japan. Truly masterful and something that could only be done in a culture with this type of structure
toranaga the great troll. promoting and praising omi as soon as yabushige throws his nephew under the bus. just to spite him. putting the courtesan's house beside the church after both parties pleaded hard to him for the right. keeping blackthorne for his own amusement. and to be meta, dangling the idea of.a great war to the audience and to the characters within the story. and it all flew over their heads. it's kind of a commentary on today's critic and audience. it's bold to do that to your own audience. I have high respect for the people who carefully put this show together. I'm pretty sure they were aware that they were ruffling a lot of feathers with the direction of the ending they decided to go through. and it was deliberate. it's an intelligent piece of cinema.
Or they didnt have enough money to make the fight look good@dominicijavier1575
@@dominicijavier1575 they just didnt have the budget. lets be real here.
Show is hands down amazing. I need to read the books
Well said
the smile (or smirk) to me was obvious -both men finally acknowledge their true face...
What I like most about this series is that none of the main characters really is either good or bad. They all have both sides displayed very well. And the way those plans and intrigues are woven is a masterpiece. The artists are doing a hell of a job!
Yabushige is smiling for a bunch of reasons, one of which was the fact that he was dying well. In the novel it was noted that his seppuku was particularly meritorious and he was spoken of highly for his bravery, composure, and flawless execution of the ritual.
i think you're right ! well caught !
Toranaga was the ultimate realist, he saw people for who they were instead of how he would like them to be and he let them be themselves whilst using it to advantage himself.
I thought the smile was because he realised his actions had meaning beyond just trying to survive and was essential in leading to the unification of Japan. If he hadnt let the ninjas into the castle, Mariko wouldnt have died on the castle property and it wouldnt have unified the nobles against Ishido. His treachery was pivotal and served a higher purpose that would ultimately lead to peace.
Yabu frees himself from any guilt or shame about his choices. Ultimately his life and death were interesting and meaningful.
Yabushige: "You got me, you won"
Toranaga: "Yes I did, goodbye old friend."
I think Yabushige's smile was a wry smile. He realized Toronaga's plan was coming to fruition despite how impossible he had viewed Toronaga's escape from death and defeat, how he himself had played his part perfectly in it and also finally how he had ironically prolonged his own life to a much greater purpose. Yabushige's character for me wound up being very enjoybable to watch. He was a typical stoic as we expect with the Samurai but he allowed himself amusement and laughter at the absurd predicaments of life.
Hey, good you brought this up, I was wondering myself. I'd subscribe to these two interpretations: 1) Yabushige's obsession with dying, and its confirmation (almost endorsement?) by Toranaga. Actually, I think T left him suffer more not out of spite but to allow him to experience death more profoundly. And more prominently 2) Yabushige's tongue-in-cheek way of expressing his relief and satisfaction that he's not such a bad person after all, considering T also had a secret agenda and played others to achieve his goal + T smiling back to admit what he refused to do in words.