The Japan-set historical series "Shogun" has won a record number of prizes at the 76th Emmy Awards in the US, including best drama and best actor.

"Shogun" collected a total of 18 awards, the most-ever for a single season of a television series. It has already won 14 awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards earlier this month.

Sanada Hiroyuki won best actor for his role as Yoshii Toranaga in the drama, which was produced by the US pay TV channel, FX. Anna Sawai won for best actress, while Frederick Toye took the prize for directing a drama series.

Set during Japan's Sengoku warring states period, "Shogun" features a samurai warrior and a British navigator who became his subordinate.

Dialogue in the 10-episode drama is mostly in Japanese, which is unusual for a US production.

In his speech at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sanada expressed his appreciation to all the people who have passed down and supported the tradition of historical dramas as well as the director and others.

He went on to say that the passion and dream he inherited has traveled beyond the ocean and national borders.