How did an enslaved African become the first foreign samurai, and where did the dark-skinned Yasuke warrior disappear to

This fascinating story took place in Japan about 500 years ago. An enslaved Black person from Mozambique, brought to Asia by a Portuguese master, became part of the Japanese military elite and the first foreigner to be awarded the high samurai rank. How did the enslaved Africans be awarded such an honor?

Yasuke’s Story

There is no historical evidence about where and when the black samurai was born. No documents have been preserved, and researchers advocate different points of view on this issue. All that is known is that Yasuke came to Japan with a Jesuit missionary from Portugal named Alessandro Valignano.

Some historians believe that Yasuke was from Mozambique, others are sure that he was from Ethiopia, and some say that he could have been born in modern Nigeria. Accurately documented information about the life of a unique Japanese samurai dates back to the period between 1579 and 1582. There is no consensus among experts on whether Yasuke was enslaved or not. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article. Many also believe that without proper military experience, he would not have been able to become a samurai. After all, those who later became part of the Japanese army elite were trained in combat from early childhood.

Fateful meeting

Yasuke was introduced to a powerful Japanese military commander named Oda Nobunaga, who was amazed by his appearance. Yasuke’s appearance also caused an absolute sensation among the general’s servants, and to look at him, they created such a pandemonium that they almost killed each other.

First, the commander ordered his servants to wash the “black paint” from the Africans’ skin. When it didn’t work out, the Japanese man, entirely fascinated by this tall, dark-skinned guy, took him into his service. Nobunaga was the first of the three daimyo warlords who set themselves the goal of uniting Japan. Yasuke served him faithfully and bravely and fought alongside him in all battles.

A year later, the black warrior was awarded the samurai title and became part of Japan’s military elite. He learned to speak Japanese fluently and accompanied Nobunaga everywhere. He became not only a bodyguard but also a beloved companion, almost a friend. They had a lot in common; they were both martial arts fans. Yasuke was a warrior to the core, the perfect war machine, as many would say now.

Nobunaga thought very highly of his dark-skinned warrior. Being a patron of the arts, the commander liked that his friend also had a sense of beauty. Yasuke was fond of dancing and could spend hours reciting epic poems about utensils in Swahili. That is why some historians believe that the black samurai could have been born in the territory of modern Mozambique, where this language is still spoken in some areas.

Where did the black samurai go, and why are they making up legends about him?

When Yasuke was honored to be called a samurai, it was unheard of! A foreigner could not have such a high and honorable title. The dark-skinned warrior was the first. He served Nobunaga faithfully and was by the Daimyo’s side when his closest associate betrayed him on that fateful night.

In 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide set a trap for him and, cornered by the warlord, committed seppuku’s ritual suicide. Before that, he asked Yasuke to behead him and take the head and sword to his son. In Japan, this was a sign of the highest trust.

After that, Yasuke’s tracks are lost. There are several versions of his disappearance. Some believe that he was expelled by the rebels immediately after Nobunaga’s death; others say that he returned to the Jesuits. In any case, no information about the black samurai’s later life has been preserved.