Getting to Know Yasuke, the Black-skinned Samurai, Oda Nobunaga's Personal Guard - Now Amidst Controversy

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Angelia Leony Van Augista

Yasuke, an African man with a tall and large build, became a legend in 16th century Japan. The story of his life journey is extraordinary. He entered Japanese history as the first black-skinned person to be dubbed a samurai.

The origin of Yasuke is still not widely known. It is likely that he came from Mozambique, East Africa, or Ethiopia. Around 1579, he arrived in Japan as a slave to a Jesuit missionary named Alessandro Valignano. Yasuke's name is now amidst controversy due to his presence in the Assassin's Creed game.

Check out the complete explanation below, KLovers!

1. Becoming Oda Nobunaga's Personal Bodyguard

YouTube: Ubisoft

Since his arrival in 1579, Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful feudal lord at that time, was impressed and interested in Yasuke. Nobunaga freed Yasuke from slavery and appointed him as his personal bodyguard. Yasuke quickly showed loyalty, bravery, and his swordsmanship skills to Nobunaga, making him the most trusted person by Nobunaga. No one dared to mess with Yasuke at that time, although many people rejected his presence.

Matsudaira Ietada, a fellow samurai, described Yasuke's characteristics in his diary in 1579 as "He is 6 shaku 2 sun tall (188 cm), he is black, his skin is like charcoal." With his towering height, Yasuke stood out among most Japanese people in that year. Nobunaga also praised Yasuke's posture and strength, describing it as "His strength is like that of 10 men."

3 years after achieving his samurai status, Yasuke was also involved in the Honnoji incident (June 21, 1582) and fought against the traitors who betrayed Nobunaga. After his master lost the war, Yasuke quickly joined Oda Nobutada (Nobunaga's son) to defend the fortress, but it was unsuccessful. The fortress was eventually destroyed, and the enemy forces took Yasuke to a European Jesuit missionary in Kyoto, where he spent the rest of his days in obscurity.

2. Becoming the Main Character in Assassin's Creed Game

YouTube: Ubisoft

The game based on historical events, Assassin's Creed, has sparked controversy among fans for featuring Yasuke as one of the main characters. Some fans expressed their complaints on the internet after the release of the Assassin's Creed Shadows game trailer.

"Assassin's Creed being set in Japan and not having a Japanese male protagonist is just stupid," said @khaliltooshort on X.

"I think it's cool. Besides, it's just a game. Yasuke has appeared as a character in many games before, and nobody really cared," argued @MobGojo on X.

This has become a topic of discussion because some people believe that Yasuke is not a samurai, but just a regular servant. Fans of the Assassin's Creed game feel that there is no need to make Yasuke the main character, but there are others who don't see it as a big issue.

3. Yasuke Anime Series on Netflix

YouTube: Netflix

This historical figure also has his own series on Netflix. Yasuke, as the first foreigner to be given the status of a Japanese warrior, became the inspiration for the making of this series.

YASUKE was released on April 29, 2021, in the form of an anime. With a total of 16 episodes, YASUKE tells the story of his life journey from slavery to his struggle against Yami no Daimyo's plan to control him.

(kpl/ony)