Recently, there was a post on an archaeology page on Facebook that captured the interest of history buffs. It is a photo of an African samurai warrior. The post was made on the group Archeology & Prehistoric & Ancient Wonders on February 3.
A Myth Or History
In 1579, during the time of feudal Japan, a Jesuit priest from Italy visited the Land of the Rising Sun. He was then accompanied by an African, who towered above all because of his height of between 6’3” to 6’5”.
The Italian Jesuit was Alessandro Valignano, who was appointed to check the mission of the Jesuits in Asia. The African was only known by the Japanese name, Yasuke. There were accounts saying he was from Mozambique, while some said he was from Angola or Ethiopia.
An Oda Nobunaga portrait by Giovanni Nicolao. Photo from Wikipedia Commons.
When the two reached Kyoto, Japan’s feudal capital, a commotion arose because of Yasuke’s presence. The event caught the attention of the then daimyo, Lord Oda Nobunaga, who urgently ordered to see the man who came to be known as Yasuke.
Nobunaga ordered his servants to wipe Yasuke’s skin off, because they thought his black complexion was just paint. But of course, nothing happened when they did this.
Later on, Nobunaga and Yasuke developed a good relationship with each other. Yasuke was able to gain Nobunaga’s trust, even giving him access to his territory.
During Yasuke’s stay at Nobunaga’s safekeeping, he was able to prove his strength equal to 10 men. The news spread fast and apparently, Nobunaga ordained him as a samurai warrior.
Traitor or Ally?
In June 1582, Nobunaga was betrayed by his closest general, Akechi Mitsuhide. Because of this, he executed himself through seppuku or harakiri.
Even in Nabunaga’s death, Yasuke stood and fought for him. Soon, Yasuke also joined the forces of Nobunaga’s heir, Oda Nabutada.
An artist's illustration of Yasuke. Photo from Wikimedia commons.
Mitsuhide came back for revenge, wherein he defeated Oda and caught Yasuke. Accounts said that they didn’t kill Yasuke because they thought of him as a “beast” than a samurai warrior. Yasuke was then said to be expelled and no news was heard about him since then.
Significance of Yasuke in Japan History
Yasuke’s story was made into a children’s historical fiction, entitled Kuro-suke. Kuro is the Japanese word for black and suke is a part of the name Yasuke.
He had also made a mark in Japan’s history as the first foreigner who had ever been honored the bushido, or the way of the samurai.
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