Historical · Adventure
Shōgun
Bestseller: about 15 million copies (estimate)In 1600, an English ship's pilot is shipwrecked in feudal Japan, where rival warlords are competing for control of the country. Both he and the people who hold him captive have reasons to use each other.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1975
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 1125
- Format
- Book 1 of 6 in Asian Saga: Chronological Order
Read this if you want a huge, immersive historical epic about culture clash and political scheming.
Skip this if you want a quick read, or are wary of a Western perspective on Japan.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Shōgun
- What is Shōgun about?
- In 1600, an English ship's pilot is shipwrecked in feudal Japan, where rival warlords are competing for control of the country. Both he and the people who hold him captive have reasons to use each other.
- Who should read Shōgun?
- Read it if you want a huge, immersive historical epic about culture clash and political scheming. Skip it if you want a quick read, or are wary of a Western perspective on Japan.
- How long and how fast is Shōgun?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 1125 pages, first published in 1975.
- Does Shōgun have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, War, Death, Sexual content.
- Can I borrow Shōgun for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Shōgun; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Shōgun?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Pillars of the Earth, Memoirs of a Geisha, A Game of Thrones.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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