For centuries, the samurai—the esteemed class of elite warriors—played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Japanese history, their incredible feats and heroic tales inspiring countless legends that endure to this day. Among these enduring figures is the enigmatic Yasuke, an African man who emerged as a samurai during the tumultuous 16th century, captivating the imagination of many.
Recently, Yasuke has re-emerged in popular culture, making his mark as a character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a new addition to the acclaimed samurai-themed saga within the long-running video game franchise.
But who was Yasuke, truly? What fragments of his life can historians unearth to piece together his extraordinary story?
Yasuke’s enigmatic beginnings
Yasuke’s early life remains shrouded in mystery. Some scholars propose that he hailed from Mozambique around the mid-16th century, while others contend that his birthplace may lie elsewhere in Africa.
He received the name ‘Yasuke’ only upon his arrival in Japan, accompanying the Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano.
Yasuke likely encountered Valignano in Africa or India in the late 1570s. Valignano, tasked with evaluating Catholic missions across Asia, subsequently recruited Yasuke as his bodyguard for an extensive journey that would lead them through India, China, and ultimately to Japan.
Yasuke’s towering stature—standing at over six feet—made him a striking presence by any standard. With a reputation for incredible strength, he was described in the 17th-century text, The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, as possessing a power so formidable that it “surpassed that of 10 men.”
Although Yasuke wasn’t the first person of African descent to reach Japan, he quickly became a person of fascination for the locals. As he moved through the streets, throngs of people flocked to witness him, creating such a density of admirers that buildings in Sakai were damaged due to the overwhelming influx.
Oda Nobunaga, a prominent warlord of the 16th century, undertook ambitious military campaigns that expanded his influence over nearly one-third of Japan. His relentless drive for unification laid the groundwork for a prolonged peace that persisted until Japan’s foreign interactions increased in 1868.
Photograph by Pictures From History / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Was Yasuke a samurai?
In 1581, Yasuke captured the attention of the formidable warlord Oda Nobunaga, who was working towards the unification of Japan amidst the turmoil of the Sengoku period—a time characterized by relentless military strife as warlords vied for dominance over fragmented territories. This era also marked Japan’s initial substantial encounters with foreign cultures, particularly with the arrival of Portuguese and Spanish traders and missionaries in the 1540s.
Upon their first meeting, Nobunaga scrutinized Yasuke’s skin tone, initially suspecting it was merely painted black. Convinced of this, Nobunaga famously ordered Yasuke to bathe.
Remarkably, Yasuke quickly impressed Nobunaga, having already familiarized himself with some Japanese. Nobunaga soon transitioned Yasuke from Jesuit service into his own, bestowing upon him a house, financial support, servants, and the name Yasuke. Jesuit chronicler Luís Fróis noted the speculation among many that Nobunaga would continue to grant Yasuke further honors and potentially promote him to lordship.
Historians debate whether Yasuke can genuinely be classified as a samurai, a designation that traditionally indicated more than mere warriors. Samurai typically belonged to this class by birth and underwent extensive training from youth, learning combat skills alongside the cultural and philosophical doctrines that defined their role.
Nevertheless, given the high honors afforded to him and the gift of a sword by Nobunaga, it is plausible that he was regarded as an honorary samurai.
Regardless of the label, Yasuke consistently demonstrated unwavering loyalty, fighting by Nobunaga’s side in his military campaigns to consolidate power across Japan.
In 1582, a rebellion led by Nobunaga’s vassal, Akechi Mitsuhide, unfolded, surrounding Nobunaga at a temple in Kyoto. Yasuke fought valiantly but was ultimately outmatched by the numerically superior enemy forces. As capture loomed, Nobunaga chose to enact seppuku, a ritualized form of suicide to preserve his honor. Following this, Yasuke was apprehended, though Mitsuhide chose to spare Yasuke’s life due to his non-Japanese heritage.
The fate of Yasuke following his association with Nobunaga is uncertain. Some historians theorize he may have opted to remain in Japan, with some records suggesting the presence of a tall African man in Japan during the 1590s. However, whether this individual was indeed Yasuke remains wrapped in mystery.
