In the heart of 16th-century Japan, during the Sengoku period, a dark-skinned foreigner would become a legend. His name was Yasuke, an African man who unexpectedly rose to prominence as a warrior in the court of the powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga.
This is the true story of the warrior many call the "black samurai" in the Land of the Rising Sun. His life spanned wars, betrayals, rituals of honor, and encounters between East and West that shaped the course of medieval Japan.
From Africa to Japan: The Arrival of Yasuke
The first stop on Yasuke's voyage to Japan was the port of Kuchinotsu on the island of Kyushu. He disembarked there, accompanying the Jesuit Alessandro Valignano as a slave, sent by Rome to oversee missionary work in Asia.
His imposing figure , almost two meters tall , and his dark skin aroused astonishment in the locals , who were still sufficiently ignorant of the world outside their country that many, influenced by Japanese folklore, believed he was an oni , a kind of mythological demon.
Valignano took advantage of this curiosity to establish relations and found a seminary in Kuchinotsu in exchange for weapons and ammunition. Shortly afterward, they moved to Nagasaki, a bastion of Japanese Christianity. There, Yasuke served not only as the missionary's personal escort but also as a Christian militia instructor and diplomatic guide.
His mastery of Japanese and his martial discipline earned him respect among the locals.
The meeting that would make him history
Yasuke's life took a turn in 1581, when the Jesuits settled in Kyoto with the permission of Oda Nobunaga, who was the most powerful man in Japan and saw Christianity as a way to counter the power of the Buddhist clergy.
During a ceremonial entry into the imperial capital, Yasuke led a procession alongside religious icons and children dressed as angels. His presence sparked riots, incited by Buddhist priests, but also caught the attention of Nobunaga himself.
Impressed by Yasuke's appearance, Nobunaga invited him to his court. At first, believing his skin color to be a trick, he tried to remove the "ink" with a brush, but when he discovered it wasn't, he was fascinated. Yasuke then recounted his adventures to him in fluent Japanese, sealing his fate.
The daimyo formally requested that it be given to him by the Jesuits. Thus, he was admitted as a member of the Oda clan , receiving a stipend, a residence, and the right to bear arms. His presence was so striking that he was used as a symbol of power and influence in audiences, inspections, and even sumo tournaments, where he demonstrated his strength by easily defeating his opponents.
During the year 1582, Yasuke accompanied Nobunaga on his campaign against the Iga ninja. After an ambush that nearly cost the daimyo his life, it was he who, sword in hand, saved his lord from an explosion and a surprise attack. With this heroic act, he became his most trusted bodyguard.
He then participated in the campaign against the Takeda clan, which culminated in the execution of the rival and the consolidation of Oda rule over much of Japan.
Yasuke was always at Nobunaga's side, sharing victories and moments of peace, such as the days at Azuchi Castle.
The Betrayal at Honno-ji Temple
In June 1582, fate took a tragic turn. General Akechi Mitsuhide, resentful of Nobunaga, attacked Kyoto with 13,000 men. Taking advantage of the daimyo's unpreparedness, he surrounded him at Honno-ji Temple. Yasuke fought fiercely alongside his lord, defending the site.
Sources differ on what happened next...
Some claim that Nobunaga committed seppuku —samurai ritual suicide—accompanied by Yasuke, who later He would join the forces of his son , Oda Nobutada, continuing the resistance and finally, some suggest that he was captured and handed over to the Jesuits , since not being Japanese he should not be executed as such.
Others say that he escaped after the fall of his lord.
Be that as it may, Yasuke disappears from official records after that day, but remains shrouded in legend.
Was he really an African samurai?
Although he served the powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the turbulent Sengoku period , his status as a samurai is a subject of debate among historians . According to historical records, Nobunaga was impressed by Yasuke's presence and abilities, granting him a house, a sword, and a stipend, indicating significant recognition. But some experts point out that there is no conclusive evidence that Yasuke ever received the formal rank of samurai (shibun).
Despite this, in contemporary Japanese culture, Yasuke is frequently considered or called a samurai , due to his bravery and loyalty demonstrated in battle, which was on par with the most famous and renowned Samurai .
An eternal legacy
His story is not just an exotic anecdote from feudal Japan. It is a testament to a man who crossed continents, cultures, and languages to become more than just a servant: he was a warrior. symbol of respect and honor, in a closed and ritualistic society.
Today, his figure has been honored in novels, documentaries, films, anime, and even a Netflix series. However, his legacy goes beyond fiction. Yasuke represents the real connection between Africa and Japan, in an era marked by war and faith.
In an era where cultural boundaries were almost insurmountable walls, Yasuke broke all the molds. He was a slave, a servant, a bodyguard, a warrior, and finally , according to some historians , Samurai , the ultimate expression of honor in feudal Japan. Through his sword, loyalty, and bravery, he earned the respect of one of the most powerful men of his time.
Although it cannot be said with certainty that he was a samurai in the formal sense of the term, his prominent role in Nobunaga's court and his active participation in key events of the time have given him a special place in Japanese history.
His legacy lives on as a symbol of courage and loyalty, recognized and celebrated in various contemporary cultural events.
