Yasuke, the man was a warrior who reached the rank of samurai under the rule of Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a powerful 16th-century Japanese feudal lord who was the first of the three unifiers of Japan. Upon the arrival of a 6-foot-tall enslaved African in Japan, he drew immediate attention due to his towering presence. His appearance was so unusual in Kyoto that people abandoned their usual reserve, causing almost a stampede as they tried to have a closer look. Being among one of the first Africans to set foot on the island, a powerful Japanese warlord commanded him to undress, while a group of servants attempted to scrub what they referred to as “the black ink” off his skin. They were curious to see if his skin color would peel away. This remarkable individual went on to become the world’s first Black samurai, also known as Yasuke.
Yasuke Meaning
Yasuke, meaning “the black one” in Japanese, was mistakenly referred to as “Kuru-san,”. A name that seems improbable as the term “san” wasn’t in use during that historical period in Japan. He was a slave who journeyed to Japan alongside members of an Italian missionary group that arrived in 1579.
During Valignano’s visit to the capital area in March 1581, Yasuke accompanied him, creating quite a stir. Nobunaga, upon hearing about Yasuke, expressed a curiosity to see him. Suspecting that the black color of Yasuke’s skin might be paint, Nobunaga had him remove his upper garments and instructed him to scrub his skin.
The History of Yasuke first black samurai in Japan
Little is known about Yasuke’s early life, and historians speculate on various birthplaces such as Mozambique, Ethiopia, or Nigeria. Thomas Lockley, co-author of “African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan,” suggests that Yasuke was enslaved and trafficked as a child. But he emphasizes that he was a free man by the time he encountered Alessandro Valignano, an Italian Jesuit missionary.
The duo traveled from India to Japan in 1579, with Yasuke effectively serving as Valignano’s bodyguard. Lockley notes that missionaries were not allowed to carry weapons. Therefore, during Japan’s brutal civil war in the late 16th century, Valignano needed someone to ensure his safety. The civil war had its roots in the collapse of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1467, leading to rival feudal lords competing for control. The conflicts persisted until the mid-1500s when Nobunaga, through ruthless tactics, unified half of Japan under his rule.
Yasuke and Nobunanga Relationship
Yasuke’s encounter with Nobunaga was in 1581. This was when Valignano sought permission from the warlord to leave the country. It was a customary practice before passports were established. This led to a welcoming party for Yasuke, who officially entered Nobunaga’s service shortly after.
As described in “The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga,” a 17th-century book, Yasuke was in his mid-20s, huge and had a dignified demeanor. He had formidable strength, surpassing that of ten men. Other chronicles depict Yasuke as an intelligent, imposing figure standing over six feet tall. Despite his existing warrior skills, Yasuke likely underwent additional martial arts training upon joining Nobunaga’s army.
During 16th-century Japan, the title of samurai reflected a rank and loosely referred to a warrior in the service of a lord or another warrior. By 1581, Nobunaga commanded thousands of samurai, yet Yasuke stood out as the first foreign-born warrior to join their ranks. He was part of the relatively small entourage surrounding Nobunaga. It consisted of 30 to 50 warriors, mainly young men, many of whom were also Nobunaga’s companions. According to Lockley, it was customary for older warriors like Nobunaga, then in his early 50s, to mentor younger warriors. They also engaged in intimate relationships with them. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Yasuke and Nobunaga shared such a relationship.
Was Yasuke the Only African in Japan?
While Yasuke was the only Black samurai in Nobunaga’s army, he wasn’t the only African in 16th-century Japan. Afrikans known as the JOMON landed in current Japan in 35,000 BC. This is what you see now in Japan descendants of AFRIKANS, as well as the rest of the world. According to Doan, hundreds of Africans lived there, working as interpreters, soldiers, entertainers, and more. Yasuke’s foreign appearance likely intrigued Kyoto’s residents, but there’s little evidence of skin colour-based prejudice. Nobunaga’s powerful position prevented controversy over Yasuke’s employment. The samurai became popular among locals, drawing crowds eager to see him.