Imagine the Sengoku period of Japan, a time of fierce battles and ambitious warlords. Amidst this era, one extraordinary figure stands out: Yasuke, a Black samurai who served the powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga. Yasuke’s story, filled with mystery and intrigue, is as captivating as it is unique.
A Mysterious Origin
Yasuke’s origins remain shrouded in mystery. Born around the 1550s, his exact birthplace is unknown, though historians speculate it might be Ethiopia, Mozambique, or South Sudan. While his birth name and the circumstances of his early life are lost to history, we do know that Yasuke arrived in Japan in 1579. He accompanied an Italian Jesuit missionary, Alessandro Valignano, possibly as his bodyguard, though whether Yasuke was enslaved or a free man at this time is uncertain.
Arrival in Japan
Yasuke’s life took a dramatic turn in 1581 when he and Valignano traveled to Kyōto and met Oda Nobunaga, a feudal lord determined to unify Japan. Nobunaga was struck by Yasuke’s height—about 6 feet 2 inches, towering over the average Japanese person of the time—and his dark skin, which was unlike anything Nobunaga had ever seen. A contemporary account by samurai Matsudaira Ietada described Yasuke as having skin “like charcoal.” Initially, Nobunaga even believed Yasuke’s skin might be dirty and had him scrubbed to confirm its natural color.
Rising to Samurai Status
Yasuke quickly earned Nobunaga’s favor, likely due to his knowledge of Japanese and his impressive skills as a soldier. Nobunaga granted Yasuke a Japanese name, accepted him into his service, and made him the first recorded foreigner to receive the title of samurai. Yasuke’s unique status was further highlighted by the fact that he was one of the few people who dined with Nobunaga, indicating a close relationship.
A Warrior’s Journey
As a samurai, Yasuke fought in several battles for Nobunaga. His service, however, was cut short. In 1582, Yasuke was at Honnō Temple in Kyōto when Nobunaga was betrayed by his general, Akechi Mitsuhide. Facing imminent defeat, Nobunaga committed seppuku, a ritual suicide. Yasuke may have served as his kaishakunin, the second in the ritual who beheads the man committing seppuku. After Nobunaga’s death, Yasuke joined Nobunaga’s son, Oda Nobutada, but they too were defeated by Mitsuhide. Following these events, Yasuke was taken to a Jesuit mission house, and his fate remains unknown.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Yasuke’s remarkable life has inspired various media, from books to video games and films. In 1968, Kurusu Yoshio published “Kuro-suke,” a children’s book about Yasuke. He has also appeared in video games like “Nioh.” A film starring Chadwick Boseman as Yasuke was announced in 2019, but the actor’s untimely death in 2020 halted the project. In 2021, an animated series titled “Yasuke” was released, weaving a fantastical tale of magic and robots into his historical narrative.
Yasuke’s journey from an unknown African land to becoming a samurai in Japan is a story of resilience, bravery, and the breaking of barriers. His legacy continues to captivate and inspire, highlighting a unique chapter in the rich tapestry of history.
