When we think of samurai, we often think of Japanese warriors in ornate armor, but the tale of Yasuke, the African samurai warrior, is a remarkable exception. While most of these warriors are Japanese as this is where the term comes from, there are a few exceptional cases where the notoriously insular Japanese shogunates bestow this rank on a few outsiders. One of these was William Adams, the English samurai. The other legendary case was the warrior Yasuke. What makes this tale even better is the fact that he started as a slave.
Yasuke – From Bondage to Warrior
Yasuke (real name unknown), the African Samurai, is one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures in Japanese history. Originally from Africa and possibly Mozambique, Yasuke came to serve the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano, possibly as a slave. During the Age of Exploration, Alessandro traveled across Asia to preach the word of God. As his servant, the warrior accompanied the missionaries across Asia, from India to Japan.
This made Yasuke one of the first Africans to set foot on Japanese soil. Standing over six feet tall, with a dark complexion and an imposing presence, he captured the curiosity and admiration of the Japanese people, including the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga.
The missionaries arrived during the Sengoku Jidai, the warring states period when Japan was embroiled in endless war. Oda Nobunaga, one of the most influential and formidable daimyo of the Sengoku period and was already making efforts to unite Japan. He was said to have been fascinated by Yasuke, especially since he’d never seen a man with such dark skin.
Nobunaga initially thought Yasuke’s skin was colored with ink and ordered him to strip and wash. When it was confirmed that African warrior’s skin was naturally dark, Nobunaga took a keen interest in him, eventually taking Yasuke into service. The warrior’s strength, loyalty, and combat skills impressed Nobunaga, leading to his promotion to samurai, a rare honor for a foreigner.
The African Samurai in Warring Japan
African warrior’s life as a samurai was marked by his participation in several important battles, including the battle of Tenmokuzan which led to the destruction of the Takeda Clan, one of Nobunaga’s greatest rivals. However, Yasuke would also serve alongside his master in death.
In 1582, Nobunaga was betrayed by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide who ambushed his procession and besieged Nobunaga in a small temple. Rather than allow himself to be captured, Nobunaga committed seppuku at the Honnō-ji Temple. Legendary warrior was with his master at the time and defended him against the traitors. After Nobunaga’s death, The warrior attempted to continue the fight but was ultimately captured by Akechi’s troops. Recognizing Yasuke’s foreign origin and perhaps seeing him as less of a threat, Akechi chose not to execute him and instead handed him over to the Jesuits.
African warrior’s story is a remarkable testament to the cultural exchanges and complexities of the Sengoku period. His journey from Africa to becoming a samurai in Japan highlights the unexpected and extraordinary paths that history can take. Yasuke’s legacy continues to inspire and captivate people around the world, serving as a symbol of bravery, loyalty, and the breaking of cultural barriers.
In contrast, Bleeding Kansas serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions that plagued the United States in the mid-19th century. This period of violent clashes over slavery foreshadowed the Civil War and highlighted the dangers of national schism.
A description of the Jesuit’s meeting with Nobunaga perfectly encapsulates the strangeness they felt, seeing Yasuke.
“A black bōzu (黒坊主, kuro-bōzu) from the Christian country has arrived. He appears to be 26 or 27 years old. The blackness of his body is like that of a bull, and he is healthy and of fine physique. Moreover, he has the strength of more than ten men. The padres came with him and thanked Lord Nobunaga for his permission to proselytize.”
– Ōta Gyūichi (possibly) chronicler.
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