Yasuke

Yasuke is Japan’s first black samurai. He was brought to Japan in 1579 during the nanban trade with the Portuguese by an Italian missionary. *He essentially was captured as a slave and brought to Japan for mission trips. The origins are Yasuke are still unknown. We are not sure if he is from Sudan from the Dinka tribe, or from Mozambique from the Yao tribe, or Ethiopian.

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Yasuke

Heritage

Yasuke was Lord Nobunaga’s right hand man for three years. In 1582, Nobunaga was attacked at Honnoji in Kyoto and forced to commit suicide by general Akechi Mitsuhide. Yasuke was present at the time, and the entire Honnoji was set ablaze. Yasuke retreated to Nijo Castle to join the heir, Nobutaga, and his forces. Eventually Yasuke was captured, however, when presented to Akechi, the warlord said he was an animal and not japanese so he should be let free and not killed. There is no further information after this.

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Yasuke

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Yasuke

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