The Japanese TV series “Shōgun” dominated the drama series categories at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, winning four categories: best drama, best direction for a drama series, best lead actress in a drama series and best lead actress in a drama series. With 18 wins in total, the show has won more Emmys than any other production.

“Shogun,” a historical fiction film depicting 17th-century feudal Japan in the midst of civil war, nearly broke the Emmys record this year with 25 total nominations. That number has only been topped once: in 2019, when “Game of Thrones” earned 32.

“It was an East-meets-West dream project with respect,” said Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Yoshii Toranaga, upon accepting the award for Leading Actor in a Drama Series. “And ‘Shōgun’ taught me that when people work together, we can do miracles.”

In addition to the major acting awards, “Shōgun” was also nominated for a slew of technical awards, including production design, original dramatic score and stunt performance. It made history as the first show to take home 14 Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremony.

“I love the team sport that comes with it,” Néstor Carbonell, who won best guest actor in a drama, said of the crew.

Created by FX, the 10-episode limited series took a decade to make and had a record-breaking premiere on streaming platforms in March, amassing 9 million views worldwide in just six days, according to parent company Disney, surpassing the premiere of “The Bear” Season 2.

“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” Anna Sawai said as she accepted her award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. According to Variety, Sawai is the first Asian artist to win the category.

Sawai played Toda Mariko, which she described as “the role of a lifetime”.

“This is for all the women who expect nothing and remain an example to everyone,” she said.

“Shōgun” is the latest Asian foreign series to flourish in the U.S. and international markets. It follows “Squid Game,” a South Korean Netflix series that also made history at the 2022 Emmys, with lead actor Lee Jung-jae becoming the first Asian actor to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

However, this year’s 25 nominations for “Shogun” surpass the 14 nominations for “Squid Games” two years ago.

According to film experts, Americans have become more inclined to watch foreign productions and read subtitles in recent years.

Sanada, who also spoke Japanese when accepting the award for best drama, thanked those who have inherited the stories of the samurai period dramas to this day.

“The passion and dreams we inherited from you have transcended oceans and borders,” he said.