Anna Sawai Had to Learn How to Walk in Shōgun After Realizing Women Didn’t Wear Underwear Back in the 1600s
- Anna Sawai’s preparation for 'Shōgun' involved a deep dive into historical accuracy.
- The actress mastered the art of walking with her knees together while wearing a kimono.
- She embraced intense training, including calligraphy and weaponry, to prepare for her role.
Just imagine: stepping into a time machine and bam, you land in 17th-century Japan. Now, every move you make—walking, sitting, standing—requires a whole new set of chops. And guess what? That’s exactly what happened to Anna Sawai, who captivated audiences in Disney+’s Shōgun.
Recently, Sawai shared that preparing for her role as Lady Mariko Toda was no easy feat. It was akin to learning all the intricate skills from a time when women didn’t even wear underwear. She even had to master the art of maneuvering in traditional kimonos for that.
And believe it or not, this experience had her mastering the art of walking with her knees together—she might be longing for a pair of jeans, 100%! From learning ancient calligraphy to tackling historical weaponry, Sawai’s journey to play this historical figure has been anything but ordinary.
Anna Sawai Mastered Traditional Kimono for Historical Role
Anna Sawai’s preparation for her role as Lady Mariko in Shōgun was nothing short of a revelation. Imagine stepping into a world where the elegant kimono demands you walk with your knees pressed tightly together.
It sounds tough, doesn’t it? The actress had to really get the hang of moving gracefully in her kimono, while sticking to old-fashioned customs. As she told The Standard:
I had to learn how to walk. Back in the day, women didn’t wear underwear, so the kimono is wrapped around your legs and the women had to keep their knees together when they walked… I had to learn how to walk, how to sit, how to stand – it’s so hard to stand gracefully, I wish people could try it.
Sawai truly immersed herself in Japanese culture. The Wellington native didn’t just practice calligraphy like Hosokawa Gracia, the historical figure she portrayed—she also tried horse riding for the first time!
One of the most intriguing challenges for her was wielding a naginata, a traditional Japanese weapon. At 5 feet 1 inch tall, managing such a large weapon was a feat in itself.
Anna Sawai Seeks Balance After Intense Shōgun Role
Anna Sawai didn’t just change her look for her role, she lived and breathed the character. Playing a real-life historical figure was so emotionally draining that even on weekends, she couldn’t switch off.
The experience was both fulfilling and exhausting, leading her to jump straight into Monarch: Legacy of Monsters right after Shōgun. The contrast between the two shows was stark—while Shōgun was a serious and deeply involved role, Monarch allowed her to enjoy a lighter atmosphere.
The 32-year-old now hopes to find a balance between deep, heavy roles and more lighthearted ones in the future. “I’m looking for something that could top ‘Shōgun,’” she told the same outlet, showing her eagerness to keep pushing her limits.
Shōgun is available to watch on Disney+.
