This article unpacks the real history of Yasuke, exploring how an African man journeyed to Japan in the 16th century, earned the trust of one of Japan’s most powerful warlords, and became the first recorded Black samurai in Japanese history.
Who Was Yasuke?
The exact origins of Yasuke remain shrouded in mystery. Historians agree he was an African man who arrived in Japan during the late 16th century, but his birthplace, early life, and even his real name are uncertain.
Some theories suggest he may have been from Mozambique or the region around the Swahili Coast of East Africa, a major hub of Indian Ocean trade linking Africa, Arabia, India, and later Europe. It is likely that he was brought to Japan via Portuguese traders or Jesuit missionaries, who had established active routes connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Yasuke’s life challenges the common narrative that Japan was completely isolated in the pre-modern period. Instead, his story highlights the extensive global connections that existed well before the modern era. shutdown123