Yasuke, an African page, arrived in Japan in 1579 as the attendant of the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Before the arrival of the Englishman William Adams, it is thought that Yasuke was possibly the inaugural non-Japanese samurai, arriving about twenty years earlier.
Documented in the Shincho Koki, the Diary of Oda Nobunaga, as well as in the accounts of contemporary missionaries, Yasuke's origins are speculated to be from Mozambique or possibly from the Bakongo region (modern-day Congo), where the Portuguese had extensive trade connections. Standing at a height of 6 shaku 2 sun (about 6 ft. 2 or 188 cm), Yasuke's stature was quite remarkable compared to the average Japanese of the time, who stood around 150 to 165 cm. It was estimated that he was approximately 25 years of age.
Yasuke accompanied Valignano to Kyoto in March of 1581, causing quite a stir among the locals. Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of him, with some people being crushed in the commotion. The War Lord Oda Nobunaga, intrigued by the reports of this "black man," demanded to meet him.
On March 23, 1581, Yasuke was presented before Oda Nobunaga, who initially thought his dark skin was painted on. To verify, Nobunaga had Yasuke stripped to the waist and cleaned. Impressed by Yasuke's size, strength, and intelligence, Nobunaga engaged in conversation with him. Recognizing Yasuke's formidable strength, Nobunaga requested that Valignano leave Yasuke in his service. Yasuke had learned some Japanese, and Nobunaga either saw him as a potential bodyguard or simply a curiosity. Regardless, Nobunaga treated Yasuke with great favor, even awarding him the status of Shiki, or samurai, along with the two swords of the office.
Yasuke remained loyal to Nobunaga and was with him on the day of his assassination in June 1582 by the traitor Akechi Mitsuhide. As Nobunaga perished in the flames of the temple, Yasuke rushed to defend Nobunaga's son and heir, Nobutada, at Nijo Castle.
Yasuke fought alongside Nobutada before eventually surrendering to Akechi samurai. Unsure of what to do with the foreigner, Mitsuhide eventually returned Yasuke to the Jesuit church in Kyoto. After that, there are no further records of Yasuke, the first foreign samurai.
In 1943, author Kurusu Yoshio penned a children's book about the African samurai.
Another story surrounding Yasuke involves his actions during the Honno-ji Incident. According to the tale, Yasuke fled to Nijo Castle to deliver an important package to Nobunaga's son, Nobutada — the package being Nobunaga's head!
See also
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Yamanami Keisuke
Yamanami Keisuke, the second in command of the Shinsengumi, a special police force during the late Edo period, shocked many when he performed seppuku on March 20, 1865, at the age of 32.
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Yamamoto Kansuke
Yamamoto Kansuke, renowned as a samurai strategist and one of Takeda Shingen's esteemed 24 Generals, hailed from the Mikawa region, known for breeding formidable warriors. Despite physical challenges—blindness in one eye, lameness in one leg, and a malformed hand—Kansuke embarked on a warrior's pilgrimage in his twenties. Traveling across the land, he honed his skills in strategy, tactics, castle construction, and warfare, engaging in various swordsmanship schools and forms.
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Yamaga Soko
Yamaga Soko was a multifaceted figure in Japanese history, renowned as a strategist, philosopher, and scholar. Later in life, he became a ronin, leaving a significant mark on the understanding of the Tokugawa period samurai.
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William Adams - Miura Anjin
William Adams, also known as Miura Anjin, holds the distinction of being one of the few non-Japanese individuals granted samurai status. Born in Gillingham, Kent, England in 1564, Adams embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to become an influential figure in Japanese history.
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Wakisaka Yasuharu
Wakisaka Yasuharu held the position of daimyo over Awaji Island before ruling over Ozu in Iyo Province. His significance in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 cannot be overstated.
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Ukita Hideie
Ukita Hideie was born as the second son of Ukita Naoie, the ruler of Okayama Castle. Tragically, Hideie's father passed away when he was just nine years old, thrusting him into the responsibilities of leading the castle, clan, and domain. Prior to his father's demise, the Ukita clan had aligned with Oda Nobunaga. After Nobunaga's assassination during the Honno-ji Incident, Hideie remained loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whose ties were further solidified through marriage.
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Uesugi Kenshin
Uesugi Kenshin stands out as one of the most formidable daimyo of the Sengoku period, presenting the sole substantial challenge to Oda Nobunaga's quest for dominance.
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Uesugi Kagekatsu
Uesugi Kagekatsu was born into the Nagao clan of Ueda, the son of Nagao Masakage. After Masakage's death, Kagekatsu was adopted by his uncle, Uesugi Kenshin, as his mother, Aya Gozen, was Kenshin’s elder sister. When Kenshin passed away suddenly in 1578, Kagekatsu found himself entangled in a power struggle with his stepbrother/cousin, Uesugi Kagetora, also adopted by Kenshin.
