Everything about Shōgun, the series available on Disney+ set in 1600s Japan that traces the story of the first shōgun, immediately felt like a masterpiece. The confirmation of this – aside from the audience numbers – came last night during the 76th edition of the Emmy Awards, long considered the Oscars of the small screen. In fact, the series created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks took home an impressive 18 awards between Primetime Emmy Awards and Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Among the various awards, Shōgun managed to win one that is particularly dear to us: the one for Outstanding Main Title Design. It’s no coincidence that the name behind the opening credits is one we’ve come to know well: Elastic. The studio, which over the years has created some of the most iconic title sequences ever, from Game of Thrones to True Detective, envisioned transporting us to 1600s Japan right from the start with this new series.

Designer Nadia Tzuo, the creative director of the sequence, has repeatedly mentioned that she immediately thought of recreating the famous karesansui, the traditional dry Japanese gardens better known as zen gardens. In this vast sand garden, the main elements of the series, such as John Blackthorne’s ship, are introduced.