Samurai but not Japanese, African: Who is Yasuke?
Yasuke's fame is huge, which attracts great attention among the Japanese people who see a black person for the first time in their lives. Among the Japanese, who had not seen a black-skinned person until that day, rumors spread that he had 10 manpower.
Yasuke, the first Black/African Samurai of the Empire of Japan, is also alleged to have been born in Mozambique, Makua, or, according to other sources, of Angola or Ethiopian descent. Some sources even note that he was born a slave in Portugal.
It is unknown where Yasuke is from. It is thought that he was born in 1555 or 1566, although it is not certain. It is thought that the real name of the former slave, known as "Yasuke" given by the Japanese nobles of that period, is Yasuke in Japanese.
Yasuke's appearance on the stage of history as a slave begins with the arrival of the Portuguese fleet, led by the Italian missionary and merchant Alessandro Valignano, to the territory of Japan in 1579.
The delegation's descent from the port and its walk on the streets attract great attention. Because the delegation with the black slave in the delegation is visited by the Japanese people even in the church in Kyoto. Yasuke's fame, which attracted great attention among the Japanese people, who saw a black person for the first time in their lives, goes to the ears of Lord Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful man, the Daimyo of the time. And he commands that this interesting 'wild' be brought before him.
Since they had not seen a black-skinned person until that day, a great stampede occurs in front of the palace. His tall, well-built nature makes it popular among the public that he has the strength of 10.
When Yasuke appeared before Lord Oda Nobunaga, Nobunaga was very angry, "Why did you bring this dirty, muddy man up to me?" ' he asks, stripping Yasuke up to his waist. The 'dirt' and 'mud' they try to wipe with water never come out. Nobunaga, who was quite surprised to see that the skin color they rubbed with water did not lighten, is impressed by the fact that Yasuke's height measured in front of the crowd is 1.82 cm, while the average height of Japanese men is 1.50 cm.
Lord/General Nobunaga, who has never seen a black-skinned person before in Japan, is pleased with African Yasuke and decides to take him under his protection.
General Nobunaga buys Yasuke to enlist as his personal aide and bodyguard. African Yasuke, who started learning Japanese, participates in many wars under the auspices of his master.
As a result of the loyalty he showed and the military training he completed in 1581, he received the title of 'Samurai' warrior at the ceremony held in Azuchi Castle and donned the sword (katana) made by his master's swordsman. Unusually, Yasuke also finds a place at his master's table.
However, Yasuke's samurai life ends with the coup attempt of Akechi Mitsuhide, one of Lord Nobunaga's generals.
In 1582, General Mitsuhide attacked the Honno Shrine in Kyoto to overthrow his master and killed many of the samurai who were tasked with protecting it. When Lord Nobunaga realizes the defeat, he ends his life (seppuku) with his sword to die with dignity.
Yasuke, the African samurai whose master has died, is exhausted while fighting and is captured. In the face of Yasuke, the African samurai captured by the enemy, the rebellious samurai who capture him are unsure of what to do with him. Because the white-skinned person in front of them is not a Japanese but a black 'wild'.
He is immediately brought before the rebel general Mitsuhide. Yasuke asks General Mitsuhide's permission to take his own life (seppuku) with honor in peace. However, the General says that Yasuke does not deserve this honor because of the color of his skin. Because he is not Japanese, he is spared and sent to the church in Kyoto.
Yasuke leaves there and returns to his former master, priest/merchant Alessandro Valignano, and lives there.
Yasuke's fate is decided here. Because there is no information about this part of his life. Some say that he killed himself because of his loyalty to his Japanese master, others say that he became a priest/missionary and traveled to unknown lands.
Although Yasuke takes place for a short time in Japanese history, years later he becomes the subject of books written for children.
Yasuke, the first and only African Samurai, also leaves behind a Japanese proverb attributed to him, although it is not known whether it was dedicated to him exactly.
“If a samurai is to be brave, he must have some black blood in his veins.”