Yasuke’s story raises important questions about race and identity in pre-modern Japan. The arrival of a Black man on the shores of Japan in the 16th century challenges assumptions that early modern societies were racially homogeneous or isolated from global connections. Japanese records do not explicitly comment on Yasuke’s race as a fixe

Though detailed records of Yasuke’s military exploits are scarce, it is clear that he took part in significant campaigns under Nobunaga’s command. Yasuke served as a personal attendant and warrior, entrusted with guarding Nobunaga and participating in battles during the turbulent Sengoku period—a time of nearly constant civil war among com

The earliest Japanese records describe Yasuke arriving in Japan around 1579, accompanying the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Valignano was the Visitor General of Jesuit missions in Asia, responsible for overseeing the spread of Christianity in Japan and China. Historical documents from the Jesuit mission refer to Yasuke as a ser

In the vast tapestry of world history, few stories are as striking and unexpected as that of Yasuke — the African man who rose from obscurity to become a samurai warrior in feudal Japan. His life has inspired books, films, manga, and scholarly debate, but beyond the myths lies a fascinating tale of cultural encounter, resilience, and identity tha