Who Was Yasuke

Yasuke: The African Samurai

Who Was Yasuke?

WEB Yasuke (弥助 or 弥介) was a man of African origin who served as a retainer to the Japanese daimyō Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century during the Sengoku period.

A Real-Life Black Samurai

Yasuke was not a fictional character but a real-life Black samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga, one of the most important feudal lords in Japanese history.

Yasuke's Journey to Japan

It is believed that Yasuke was originally from Mozambique and arrived in Japan in 1579 with the Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano.

Service Under Oda Nobunaga

Nobunaga was intrigued by Yasuke's appearance and fighting abilities and granted him the rank of samurai.

Rise to Prominence

Yasuke's exceptional skills and loyalty earned him the respect of Nobunaga's other samurai and the admiration of the Japanese people.

Death of Oda Nobunaga

In 1582, Oda Nobunaga was assassinated by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide. Yasuke fought alongside Nobunaga's forces but was eventually defeated.

Legacy

Yasuke remains one of the most well-known figures in Japanese history and continues to inspire stories, books, and films.