Sawai’s astonishing performance as the fierce Lady Mariko won her an Emmy – and inspired women worldwide. She talks J-pop, kimonos and epic sword-fights

Anna Sawai is having a moment. In September, the erstwhile child actor and J-pop singer’s performance in the epic historical drama Shōgun netted her an Emmy for best female lead, making her the first actor of Asian descent to win in her category, and the first Japanese woman to win an Emmy at all.

When Time magazine subsequently listed her in the Time100 Next 2024, her co-star Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred as future titular shōgun Yoshii Toranaga, penned an uncharacteristically glowing tribute: “Anna Sawai could play any role on this Earth, or in space,” he said. “Period pieces or far-future films – she is so talented that she can do anything.”